Characteristics

Reference period Data are official estimates at 30 June and at end-of-year. The last population census took place in 2006 and figures from 2001 have been aligned to the 2006 census.

Scope

Population coverage Data refer to the resident population (de jure), excluding national defence forces stationed abroad.

Other Aspects

Quality comments Series breaks: A new definition of population was adopted for the 1981 Census. Population is defined as the number of people who usually reside in Australia, that is, 'Australian residents'. Prior to this population had been defined as the number of people actually present at a given time (at the census). This meant the number of people actually counted included foreign tourists but excluded Australians abroad. Population estimates based on this new concept were compiled back to 1971. Therefore, data on the distribution of the population by age and sex contains a series break between 1970 and 1971.

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Related Metadata:

All Higher Levels Subject: (ALFS) Population Census based Main Economic Indicators