Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly methodology

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Reference period
November 2019
Released
15/05/2020

Explanatory notes

Data from the monthly Labour Force Survey are released in two stages. The Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) and Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat. no. 6291.0.55.003) are part of the second release, and include detailed data not contained in the Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) product set, which is released one week earlier.

The Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) is released monthly. Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat. no. 6291.0.55.003) includes data only collected in February, May, August and November (including industry and occupation).

Since these products are based on the same data as the Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) publication, the Labour Force, Australia - Explanatory Notes (cat. no. 6202.0) are relevant to both releases.

Standard errors

Estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are based on information collected from people in a sample of dwellings, rather than the entire population. Hence the estimates produced may differ from those that would have been produced if the entire population had been included in the survey. The most common measure of the likely difference (or 'sampling error') is the Standard Error (SE).

The ABS considers that estimates with a relative standard error of 25% or more may be subject to sampling variability too high for most practical purposes.

To indicate those cells in spreadsheets with a relative standard error of 25% or more, annotations have been applied prior to dissemination.

In addition, the tables below have been supplied to show estimates at which the relative standard error is 25%. Estimates of the size indicated in the tables, or smaller, are considered to be subject to sampling variability too high for most practical purposes.

Due to the January 2011 flooding in Queensland the relative standard errors for January 2011 will be higher than normal in some regions, therefore for Queensland the estimates at which the relative standard error is 25% will be higher than they appear in the tables below. However from February, the data returns to normal.

The new labour force sample was phased-in over four months from May to August 2013. During phase in of the new sample, standard errors associated with key labour force data were expected to increase by approximately 10% at a national level, however increased standard errors and variability in the estimates may be more evident in detailed regional data during this time.

Additional information on how standard errors for LFS estimates are produced is available in Labour Force Survey Standard Errors, Data Cube (cat. no. 6298.0.55.001).

Employed

StateNSWVicQldSAWATasNTACTAust
Feb-78 — Sep-824.54.53.52.52.51.51.82.04.5
Oct-82 — Aug-874.04.03.01.82.01.01.81.33.5
Sep-87 — Feb-894.54.53.02.02.51.31.81.54.0
Mar-89 — Aug-924.54.53.02.12.31.32.01.43.5
Sep-92 — Aug-975.34.63.52.42.91.31.31.04.0
Sep-97 — Sep-985.94.54.12.42.81.11.01.14.4
Oct-98 — Feb-035.93.13.72.52.21.11.30.95.5
Mar-03 — Oct-076.33.04.42.32.51.31.51.16.6
Nov-076.23.24.32.32.51.31.41.16.4
Dec-076.13.44.32.32.61.31.31.16.2
Jan-086.03.64.22.32.61.31.31.26.0
Feb-085.93.84.22.42.71.31.21.25.9
Mar-085.94.14.22.43.01.21.11.25.7
Apr-085.84.44.42.53.11.31.01.35.6
May-085.74.74.32.53.11.31.01.35.4
Jun-085.54.94.32.53.31.31.01.35.3
Jul-08 — Aug-096.96.15.33.14.01.51.21.67.4
Sep-096.55.85.02.93.81.51.11.57.0
Oct-096.15.54.72.83.61.41.01.46.5
Nov-095.85.24.52.63.41.31.01.46.2
Dec-09 — Jun-135.54.94.32.53.31.31.01.35.8
Jul-13 — Jan-147.73.85.52.73.81.40.31.77.8
Feb-14 onwards7.93.95.62.73.81.40.31.77.9

Unemployed

StateNSWVicQldSAWATasNTACTAust
Feb-78 — Sep-824.54.53.52.52.51.51.82.04.5
Oct-82 — Aug-874.04.03.01.82.01.01.81.33.5
Sep-87 — Feb-894.54.53.02.02.51.31.81.54.0
Mar-89 — Aug-924.54.53.02.12.31.32.01.43.5
Sep-92 — Aug-975.34.63.52.42.91.31.31.04.0
Sep-97 — Sep-985.94.54.12.42.81.11.01.14.4
Oct-98 — Feb-035.75.74.52.63.31.33.21.44.9
Mar-03 — Oct-076.05.44.92.93.61.62.21.65.2
Nov-076.15.45.02.93.71.62.11.75.2
Dec-076.25.55.02.93.81.71.91.75.2
Jan-086.35.65.03.04.01.71.81.85.2
Feb-086.45.75.13.04.11.71.71.85.1
Mar-086.75.75.23.14.51.81.61.95.1
Apr-086.85.95.53.24.61.91.51.95.2
May-086.96.05.53.34.81.91.42.05.1
Jun-087.16.15.63.35.01.91.42.15.1
Jul-08 — Aug-099.38.07.44.46.62.51.82.87.3
Sep-098.77.56.84.16.12.41.62.56.8
Oct-098.17.06.43.85.72.21.52.46.4
Nov-097.56.56.03.55.32.11.52.26.0
Dec-09 — Jun-137.16.15.63.35.01.91.42.15.7
Jul-13 — Jan-147.36.68.43.75.81.71.32.27.1
Feb-14 onwards7.46.78.63.85.91.81.32.37.3

Not In the Labour Force (NILF)

StateNSWVicQldSAWATasNTACTAust
Feb-78 — Sep-824.54.53.52.52.51.51.82.04.5
Oct-82 — Aug-874.04.03.01.82.01.01.81.33.5
Sep-87 — Feb-894.54.53.02.02.51.31.81.54.0
Mar-89 — Aug-924.54.53.02.12.31.32.01.43.5
Sep-92 — Aug-975.34.63.52.42.91.31.31.04.0
Sep-97 — Sep-985.94.54.12.42.81.11.01.14.4
Oct-98 — Feb-036.43.74.13.22.71.21.41.16.0
Mar-03 — Oct-077.83.75.23.03.21.52.01.37.3
Nov-077.63.95.13.03.21.51.81.37.0
Dec-077.44.15.13.03.31.51.71.46.8
Jan-087.34.45.03.03.41.51.61.46.6
Feb-087.14.75.03.13.51.51.51.46.3
Mar-087.15.04.93.13.81.51.31.56.2
Apr-087.05.45.33.23.91.51.21.56.0
May-086.85.75.23.24.01.51.11.65.8
Jun-086.66.05.23.24.11.51.11.65.6
Jul-08 — Aug-098.37.66.54.05.21.81.42.08.0
Sep-097.87.26.13.74.91.71.31.97.4
Oct-097.36.75.83.54.61.61.21.86.9
Nov-096.96.45.43.34.41.61.21.76.5
Dec-09 — Jun-136.66.05.23.24.11.51.11.66.2
Jul-13 — Jan-148.44.49.83.64.51.80.72.59.0
Feb-14 onwards8.54.59.93.74.61.80.82.59.1

Greater capital city statistical areas

 Feb-78

Sep-82
Oct-82

Aug-87
Sep-87

Feb-89
Mar-89

Aug-92
Sep-92

Aug-97
Sep-97

Sep-98
Oct-98

Feb-03
Greater
Sydney
4.54.04.54.55.35.75.8
Greater
Melbourne
4.54.04.54.54.64.63.3
Rest of
Victoria
4.54.04.54.54.64.33.2
Greater
Brisbane
3.53.03.03.03.53.73.4
Rest of
Queensland
3.53.03.03.03.64.33.6
Greater
Adelaide
2.51.82.02.12.42.42.7
Rest of
South
Australia
2.51.82.02.12.52.22.5
Greater
Perth
2.52.02.52.32.92.62.3
Rest of
Western
Australia
2.52.02.52.32.92.82.2
Greater
Hobart
1.51.01.31.31.31.10.9
Rest of
Tasmania
1.51.01.31.31.31.11.1

Greater capital city statistical areas

 Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Greater Sydney6.55.77.15.77.67.7
Rest of NSW6.45.67.05.67.57.6
Greater Melbourne3.25.16.45.14.04.0
Rest of Victoria3.15.06.35.03.93.9
Greater Brisbane4.14.05.04.05.96.0
Rest of Queensland4.44.35.44.36.36.4
Greater Adelaide2.52.73.42.73.03.0
Rest of South Australia2.42.53.12.52.82.8
Greater Perth2.63.54.33.53.94.0
Rest of Western Australia2.53.34.13.33.73.8
Greater Hobart1.11.11.41.11.31.3
Rest of Tasmania1.31.31.61.31.51.5

NSW - statistical area level 4 regions

 Oct-98 —
Feb-03
Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Central Coast7.48.57.29.47.210.210.4
Sydney
- Baulkham Hills
and Hawkesbury
7.28.37.09.27.010.010.2

Sydney
- Blacktown

7.38.37.19.37.110.010.2
Sydney
- City and
Inner South
8.59.78.310.88.311.711.9
Sydney
- Eastern Suburbs
9.611.09.312.29.313.113.4
Sydney
- Inner South West
7.38.47.19.37.110.110.3
Sydney
- Inner West
7.78.87.59.87.510.610.8
Sydney
- North Sydney
and Hornsby
7.68.67.39.67.310.410.6
Sydney
- Northern Beaches
7.88.97.69.97.610.710.9
Sydney
- Outer South West
7.38.47.19.37.110.110.3
Sydney
- Outer West and
Blue Mountains
7.38.37.19.37.110.010.2
Sydney
- Parramatta
7.88.97.610.07.610.811.0
Sydney
- Ryde
7.78.87.59.87.510.610.8
Sydney
- South West
7.58.67.39.67.310.410.6
Sydney
- Sutherland
7.48.47.29.47.210.110.3
Capital Region7.28.27.09.27.09.910.1
Central West7.68.77.49.77.410.510.7

Coffs Harbour
- Grafton

7.68.77.49.77.410.510.7
Far West
and Orana
7.48.47.29.47.210.110.3
Hunter Valley
exc Newcastle
7.18.16.99.06.99.810.0
Illawarra7.68.77.49.77.410.510.7
Mid North
Coast
7.58.67.39.67.310.310.6
Murray7.68.67.49.67.410.410.6
New England
and North West
7.68.77.49.77.410.510.7
Newcastle and
Lake Macquarie
7.18.16.99.06.99.89.9
Richmond -
Tweed
7.68.77.49.77.410.510.7
Riverina7.68.67.49.67.410.410.6
Southern Highlands
and Shoalhaven
9.010.38.711.48.712.312.6

Vic - statistical area level 4 regions

 Oct-98 —
Feb-03
Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Melbourne
- Inner
4.13.97.29.47.25.25.3

Melbourne
- Inner East

3.63.46.28.26.24.54.6
Melbourne
- Inner South
3.73.56.48.46.44.74.8
Melbourne
- North East
3.83.66.68.66.64.84.9
Melbourne
- North West
3.73.66.58.66.54.74.8
Melbourne
- Outer East
3.83.66.68.76.64.84.9
Melbourne
- South East
3.63.46.38.36.34.64.7
Melbourne
- West
3.53.46.18.16.14.44.5
Mornington
Peninsula
3.63.56.48.36.44.64.7
Ballarat4.03.86.99.16.95.05.1
Bendigo3.83.76.78.86.74.95.0
Geelong3.73.56.58.56.54.74.8
Hume4.34.17.49.77.45.45.5
Latrobe
- Gippsland
4.13.97.29.47.25.25.3
North West3.93.76.88.96.84.95.0
Shepparton4.34.17.49.77.45.45.5
Warrnambool
and South West
3.73.56.58.56.54.74.8

Qld - statistical area level 4 regions

 Oct-98 —
Feb-03
Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Brisbane
- East
4.15.15.16.75.18.18.2
Brisbane
- North
4.15.25.16.75.18.18.3
Brisbane
- South
4.25.25.26.85.28.28.4
Brisbane
- West
4.15.25.16.75.18.28.3
Brisbane
Inner City
4.25.35.36.95.38.48.6
Ipswich4.05.05.06.55.07.98.1
Logan
- Beaudesert
4.35.45.37.05.38.48.6
Moreton Bay
- North
3.94.94.86.44.87.77.9
Moreton Bay
- South
3.94.94.86.34.87.77.9
Cairns4.96.26.18.06.19.79.9
Darling Downs
- Maranoa
4.65.85.77.55.79.19.3
Central
Queensland
4.25.35.26.95.28.38.5
Gold Coast4.35.55.47.15.48.68.7
Mackay
- Isaac
- Whitsunday
4.25.35.26.95.28.38.5
Queensland
- Outback
4.75.95.87.65.89.29.4
Sunshine Coast4.35.45.37.05.38.58.7
Toowoomba4.65.85.77.55.79.09.2
Townsville4.75.95.87.65.89.29.4
Wide Bay4.65.85.77.55.79.09.2

SA - statistical area level 4 regions

 Oct-98 —
Feb-03
Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Adelaide
- Central
and Hills
3.33.13.34.33.33.73.8
Adelaide
- North
3.33.03.34.33.33.73.8
Adelaide
- South
3.43.13.44.43.43.83.9
Adelaide
- West
3.73.43.74.83.74.14.2
Barossa
- Yorke
- Mid North
3.53.23.54.53.53.94.0
South Australia
- Outback
3.73.43.74.83.74.14.2
South Australia
- South East
3.12.83.14.03.13.53.5
Mandurah2.42.84.05.24.04.64.7

WA - statistical area level 4 regions

 Oct-98 —
Feb-03
Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Perth
- Inner
3.13.54.96.54.95.85.9
Perth
- North East
2.93.34.66.14.65.45.5
Perth
- North West
2.83.24.55.94.55.25.3
Perth
- South East
2.93.34.76.14.75.55.6
Perth
- South West
2.73.14.35.74.35.05.1
Bunbury2.42.84.05.24.04.64.7
Western Australia
- Outback
(North and South)
2.83.34.66.04.65.45.5
Western Australia
- Wheat Belt
2.63.04.25.54.24.95.0

Tas - statistical area level 4 regions

 Oct-98 —
Feb-03
Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Greater Hobart0.91.11.11.41.11.31.3
Launceston
and North East
1.31.51.51.91.51.71.8
Tasmania
- South East
1.61.91.92.41.92.22.2
Tasmania
- West and
North West
1.31.61.62.01.61.81.8

NT - statistical area level 4 regions

 Oct-98 —
Feb-03
Mar-03 —
Feb-08
Mar-08 —
Jun-08
Jul-08 —
Oct-09
Nov-09 —
Jun-13
Jul-13 —
Jan-14
Feb-14
onwards
Darwin1.41.71.01.31.00.90.9
Northern Territory
- Outback
1.41.71.01.31.00.90.9

Quality declaration - summary

Institutional environment

Relevance

Timeliness

Accuracy

Coherence

Interpretability

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