NEW AND REVISED CLASSIFICATIONS
It is important for Census data to be comparable and compatible with previous censuses and also with other data produced by the ABS and wider community.
The Census uses the current Australian standard classifications where applicable. These are reviewed on an irregular basis to reflect changes in the Australian society. A number of changes have occurred to these classifications since 2001 and these are described below.
Where an Australian standard classification is not available, census-specific classifications have been developed by the ABS. The categories of these classifications are reviewed prior to each Census. Changes to these classifications are described in the following section: Summary of Changes to Variables - 2001 to 2006.
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)
Responses to the occupation related questions, in the 2006 Census, are classified using the new Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). Standard Census data will be output based on this classification. However, 2006 Census occupation data will also be made available based on the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) Second Edition as used in the 2001 Census.
For more information see the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (cat. no. 1220.0) due for release mid 2006.
Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC) 2006
Responses to the Industry of employment related questions, in the 2006 Census are classified using the new
Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC) 2006. Standard 2006 Census data will be output based on this classification. However, 2006 Census industry data will also be made available based on the first edition of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC) as used in the 1996 and 2001 Censuses.
ANZSIC 2006 was developed to provide a more contemporary industrial classification system. Issues such as changes in the structure and composition of the economy, changing user demands and compatibility with other major international classification standards were taken into account.
For more information see the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC) 2006 (cat. no.1292.0), released February 2006 and available for viewing on the ABS web site.
Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) Second Edition
Responses to the ancestry question, in the 2006 Census are classified using the new Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) Second Edition. The first edition of ASCCEG was used in the 2001 Census.
This Second Edition (2005 revision) of the classification is part of a periodical review process, that aims to reflect the changes to Australia's ethnic profile brought about by changing migration patterns.
For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) Second Edition (cat. no.1249.0), released July 2005 and available for viewing on the ABS web site.
Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) Second Edition
The Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) Second Edition is used in the 2006 Census to code responses to the question 'Does the person speak a language other than English at home?'. The first edition of ASCL was used in the 2001 Census.
This Second Edition (2005 revision) of the classification is part of a periodical review process that aims to reflect changes to Australia's language profile. The review also enabled improvements to the classification in terms of language coverage (particularly for Australian Indigenous Languages) and the grouping of certain languages.
For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), Second Edition (cat. no. 1267.0) released July 2005 and available for viewing on the ABS web site.
Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG) Second Edition
The Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG) Second Edition is used in the 2006 Census to code responses to the religion question. The first edition of ASCRG was used in the 2001 Census.
The ASCRG was created to satisfy wide community interest in the religious affiliations of the Australian population and to meet a growing statistical and administrative need. Analysis of 2001 Census data highlighted the need for a minor review of ASCRG to ensure it would be as up to date as possible for use in the 2006 Census.
For more information see the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG), Second Edition (cat. no. 1266.0) released December 2005 and available for viewing on the ABS web site.
Family Composition
This classification replaces the Family Type classification used in the 2001 Census. Output for Family Composition is fully compatible with Family Type data: the key difference between the two classifications is that Family Composition reflects a more logical sequence of decision-making in family formation.
At the highest level of the classification families are differentiated based on the presence or absence of couple relationships, parent-child relationships, child dependency relationships or other relationships. A second level of detail introduces the concept of dependent children aged under 15 years to provide more detail of Family Composition within couple and one parent families. A further level of detail distinguishes families with dependent students aged 15-24 years from those with other dependent children. At the most detailed level the presence of non-dependent children is identified in each category of couple and one parent families.
No provision has been made in the Family Composition classification for the identification of family members outside the family nucleus. Identification of such persons within a family is done by means of 'Relationship in household' data.
Household Composition
This classification replaces the Household Type classification used in the 2001 Census. Output for Household Composition is fully compatible with Household Type data. The structure of the Household Composition classification has been changed to allow integration with Family Composition as this better suits ABS output requirements and user needs. The core criterion at the base level of the previous Household Type classification, the presence or absence of unrelated individuals to families in a household, is now a secondary criterion. Instead, the Household Composition classification is based on the presence or absence of families in a household, the number of families in a family household, and only then on the presence or absence of unrelated individuals. Non-family households continue to be split between Lone person and Group Households.
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