View source for Australian Bureau of Statistics

[[Image:ABS_Logo_Small_mono.jpg|thumb|right|Australian Bureau of Statistics Logo]]
The '''Australian Bureau of Statistics''' ('''ABS''') is the Australian [[government agency]] that collects and publishes statistical information about [[Australia]] and its people.

==Population and Housing==
The agency undertakes the [[Census in Australia|Australian Census]] of Population and Housing.  The Census is conducted every 5 years under the authority of the ''Census and Statistics Act 1905'', Section 8. [http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401302?OpenDocument]. The last Australian [[Census|population census]] was held on [[August 8]], [[2006]].  Results from the 2006 Census will be available on the ABS web site from June 27, 2007. [http://www.abs.gov.au/census].

==Research and Development==
The ABS has been undertaking surveys to collect estimates from Australian organisations of R&D [[Cost|expenditure]] and [[human resources]] devoted to R&D in Australia since [[1978]].<ref name="dest-definitions">{{cite web | url =  http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/science_innovation/publications_resources/documents/definitions04_doc.htm | title = Definitions and Methodological Notes : Statistics on Science and Innovation | work = Science and Innovation Analysis Section, [[Department of Education, Science and Training (Australia)|Department of Education, Science and Training]] |date = November 2004 | | accessdate = 2007-02-05 }}</ref>  The results allow the nature and distribution of Australia's R&D activity to be monitored by government policy analysts and advisers to government, businesses and economists.

There are four surveys<ref name="dest-definitions"/>:
* ''R&D Business survey'', conducted annually
* ''R&D Higher Education survey'', conducted biennially
* ''R&D General Government survey'', conducted biennially
* ''R&D Private Non-profit Sector survey'', conducted biennially

===Australian Standard Research Classification===
{{seealso|Frascati Manual}}
The survey reports research against the ''Australian Standard Research Classification (ASRC)''.  The first ASRC was released in 1993 <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/9AE0500F47938879CA25697E0018FD66 | title = 1297.0 - Australian Standard Research Classification (ASRC), 1993 | date = April 21, 1993 | author = [[Ian Castles]], [[Australian Statistician]] | work = Australian Bureau of Statistics | accessdate = 2007-02-05 }}</ref> and was in use until 1998.  It comprised three classification schemes; ''Type of Activity'' (TOA), ''Field of Research'' (FOR) and ''Socio-Economic Objective'' (SEO).  In 1998, a second ASRC was released <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/66f306f503e529a5ca25697e0017661f/2D3B6B2B68A6834FCA25697E0018FB2D?opendocument | title = 1297.0 - Australian Standard Research Classification (ASRC), 1998 | date = August 28, 1998  | author = T. J. Skinner, Acting Australian Statistician | work = Australian Bureau of Statistics | accessdate = 2007-02-05 }}</ref> with a revised ''Socio-Economic Objective'' classification that used a different numbering range, and  RFCDs instead of FORs, and a ''Research Field, Course and Discipline'' (RFCD) classification to replace FORs.  This revised classification came into effect in the 2000 collection period, which was due on 31 August 2001.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.abs.gov.au/Websitedbs/D3110129.NSF/f128006d2d1e7c10ca2566fd0081ba4b/1007a1d4141db0e5ca256b05007a6db5!OpenDocument#3.2%20HIGHER%20EDUCATION%20R%26D%20SURVEY%202 | title = Innovation and Technology Update - Bulletin No. 5 | work = Australian Bureau of Statistics | date = November 16, 2001 | accessdate = 2007-02-05 }}</ref>

'''TOA''' - R&D activity is categorised according to the type of research effort:
* pure basic research,
* strategic basic research,
* applied research and
* experimental development.

'''RFCD''' - This classification allows both R&D activity and other activity within the higher education sector to be categorised.  Prior to ASRC 1998, this information was collected using a different set of indicators called ''Field of Research''.  It has been expanded in order that it can be used within the higher education sector to classify courses, units of study and teaching activity to field.  The categories in the classification include recognised academic disciplines and related major sub-fields taught at universities or tertiary institutions, major fields of research investigated by national research institutions and organisations, and emerging areas of study.

'''SEO''' - This classification allows R&D to be categorised according to the purpose of the R&D as perceived by the researcher. It consists of discrete economic, social, technological or scientific domains for identifying the principal purpose of the R&D. The attributes applied to the design of the SEO Classification comprise a combination of processes, products, health, education and other social and environmental aspects of particular interest.

==Year Book Australia==
ABS produces an annual year book for Australia, called the ''Year Book Australia'', which is the principal reference work produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It provides a comprehensive and detailed statistical overview of various aspects of the economy and social conditions in Australia. 

In addition, it contains descriptive matter dealing with Australia’s geography and climate, government, [[international relations]], defence, education, and the health and welfare support systems.

==Australian Statistician==
Since [[1975]], the head of the ABS has been known as the '''Australian Statistician'''.  Previously, the office was titled the '''Commonwealth Statistician'''.  A full list of all office-holders is at [[Australian Statistician]].

The incumbent (since [[March 2007]]) is [[Brian Pink]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.treasurer.gov.au/tsr/content/pressreleases/2006/135.asp | title = Appointment of Australian Statistician | date = December 13, 2006 | work = Press Release, [[Treasurer of Australia]] | accessdate = 2007-01-12}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[ANZSIC]] - Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification - an industry classification developed jointly with [[Statistics New Zealand]]
* [http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/statcom_seminar/NSS%20Forum%20Australia%20country%20paper.pdf ''The Australian Statistical System: Evolution and Challenges''], a paper contributed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to the thirty-eighth session of the Statistical Commission of the United Nations, New York, 27 February to 2 March 2007 [http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/commission_current_session.htm].

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.abs.gov.au Australian Bureau of Statistics website]
*[http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/73E9BB8B80136D72CA2570DD0080F5C7?opendocument Year Book Australia, 2006.] from Australian Bureau of Statistics. 
*[http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/398ab89dbd6cba6fca256e7d00002636?OpenDocument ''Measuring Australia's Progress'']
*[http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/site/webAllArticles/93395FB0469ED912CA256DAF002C2CFC October 22, 2003 ''Bulletin'' article on Dennis Trewin]
*[http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/EdDesk.nsf/All/3E956BAAE33BF4ACCA256DC100147232 SMART 100: Get smart] from ''[[The Bulletin]]''

[[Category:Government entities of Australia]]
[[Category:National statistical services]]
[[Category:Demographics of Australia]]

[[ja:オーストラリア統計局]]
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