View source for Australian Bureau of Statistics

{{Short description|Australian statistics and census agency}}
{{Primary sources|date=December 2023}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2014}}

{{Infobox government agency
| logo            = Australian Bureau of Statistics logo.svg
| logo_size       = 1.1
| formed          = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1905|12|8}}
| preceding1      = Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics
| jurisdiction    = [[Australian Government]]
| headquarters    = [[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory
| employees       = 3779 (at 30 June 2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/australian-bureau-statistics/reporting-year/2020-21-55 |title=Australian Bureau of Statistics – Annual Report 2020–21 |website=transparency.gov.au |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date= March 2024|reason=No annual reports displayed}}
| budget          = [[Australian dollars|AUS$]] $172.7 million (over four years from 2023–24)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/budget-funding-supports-new-data-and-security-uplift |title=Budget funding supports new data and security uplift |author=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=2023 |access-date=2023-12-02}}</ref>
| minister1_name  = [[Jim Chalmers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pmc.gov.au/resource-centre/government/administrative-arrangements-order |title=Administrative Arrangements Order |website=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet  |date=23 June 2022 |access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>
| minister1_pfo   = [[Treasurer of Australia|Treasurer]]
| chief1_name     = [[David Gruen (economist)|David Gruen]]
| chief1_position = [[Australian Statistician]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Senior+Staff+Biography+-+Dr+David+Gruen,+Australian+Statistician|title=Dr David Gruen, Australian Statistician|website=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=2019-12-12|access-date=2020-02-03 }}</ref>
| chief2_name     = Brenton Goldsworthy
| chief2_position = Deputy Australian Statistician, Insights and Statistics Group
| chief3_name     = Teresa Dickinson
| chief3_position = Deputy Australian Statistician, Data and Statistical Practices Group
| chief4_name     = Jenet Connell
| chief4_position = Deputy Australian Statistician, Enterprise Services Group and Acting [[Chief Operating Officer]]
| website         = {{URL|abs.gov.au}}
| name            = Australian Bureau of Statistics
| parent_department = [[Treasury (Australia)|Treasury]]
}}

The '''Australian Bureau of Statistics''' ('''ABS''') is an [[List of Australian Government entities|Australian Government agency]] that collects and analyses statistics on economic, population, [[Natural environment|environmental]], and social issues to advise the [[Australian Government]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABS Institutional Environment  |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/abs-institutional-environment |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=8 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

The bureau's function originated in the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, established in 1905, four years after [[Federation|Federation of Australia]]; it took on its present name in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-03 |title=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/ |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2005 |title=Building a national statistical agency: From the Commonwealth. Bureau of Census and Statistics to the Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/wsd/docs/australia_wsd_history.pdf |website=[[United Nations Statistics Division]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227131004/https://unstats.un.org/unsd/wsd/docs/australia_wsd_history.pdf |archive-date= Dec 27, 2023 }}</ref> The ABS conducts Australia's [[Census of Population and Housing]] every five years and publishes its findings online.

==History==
Efforts to count the population of Australia started in 1795 with "musters" that involved physically gathering a community to be counted, a practice that continued until 1825. The first colonial censuses were conducted in New South Wales in 1828; in Tasmania in 1841; South Australia in 1844; Western Australia in 1848; and Victoria in 1854.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History of the Census |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/about-census/history-census |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=25 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Each colony continued to collect statistics separately despite attempts to coordinate collections through an annual Conference of [[Statistician]]s. The first simultaneous census across all the Australian colonies occurred in 1881.<ref name=":0" /> A national statistical office was subsequently proposed to develop comparable statistics.<ref name="history"/>

The Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics (CBCS) was established under the ''[[Census and Statistics Act 1905]]''. [[Sir George Knibbs|Sir George Handley Knibbs]] was appointed as the first [[Australian Statistician|Commonwealth Statistician]]. The bureau was located in [[Melbourne]] – at that time the temporary seat of federal government – attached to the [[Department of Home Affairs (Australia)|Department of Home Affairs]]. In 1928, the bureau relocated to [[Canberra]], where in 1932 it was subsumed within the [[Treasury (Australia)|Department of the Treasury]].<ref name="history"/>

The first national census, which deployed about 7300 collectors, occurred in 1911.<ref name=":0" /> Although coordination and data sharing were facilitated by CBCS, each state in Australia initially had its own statistical office and worked with the CBCS to produce national data. Some states faced challenges in providing a satisfactory statistical service through their own offices, resulting in mergers with the CBCS. The Tasmanian Statistical Office was transferred to the CBCS in 1924, and the [[New South Wales]] Bureau of Statistics amalgamated into it in 1957.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/agency/1734 |access-date=17 February 2018 |website=Record agency |publisher=NSW State Archives & Records}}</ref> The final unification of all state statistical offices with the CBCS occurred in the late 1950s under the guidance of Sir Stanley Carver, who was the New South Wales Statistician acting as the Commonwealth Statistician.<ref name="history"/>

In 1974, the CBCS was abolished and replaced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ''Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975'' established the ABS as a [[statutory authority]] headed by the Australian Statistician, who reported to the [[Treasurer of Australia|federal Treasurer]].<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/51c9a3d36edfd0dfca256acb00118404/f24771a747e805e9ca256c86007cc61b!OpenDocument |title=History of the ABS |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=24 July 2008 |access-date=21 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126114918/http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/51c9a3d36edfd0dfca256acb00118404/f24771a747e805e9ca256c86007cc61b!OpenDocument |archive-date= Jan 26, 2016 }}</ref>

In 2015, the Australian Government announced a $250 million five-year investment in the ABS to modernise its systems and processes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government to tip $250M into ABS to modernise IT |url=https://www.cio.com/article/213701/government-to-tip-250m-into-abs-to-modernise-it.html |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=CIO |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Census of population and housing==
{{Main|Census in Australia}}
Once every 5 years,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ABS won't be asking about ethnicity at the next census. Why do some experts say it's important? - ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-25/abs-census-ethnicity-ancestry-australia-population-data/103638672 |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=amp.abc.net.au|date=24 April 2024 }}</ref> the ABS conducts the Australian [[Census]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=Australian Bureau of Statistics runs 2021 Census on the AWS Cloud {{!}} AWS Public Sector Blog |url=https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/publicsector/australian-bureau-of-statistics-runs-2021-census-on-the-aws-cloud/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=aws.amazon.com |language=en-US}}</ref> of Population and Housing as stipulated under federal law in the [[Constitution of Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Economics/2016Census/Report|title=Senate Inquiry Report into the 2016 Census|publisher=Parliament of Australia|language=en-AU|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref> The most recent was conducted on 10 August 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-21 |title=2021 Census product release guide |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/2021-census-data-release-plans/2021-census-product-release-guide |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |language=en}}</ref> Statistics from the census were published on the ABS website in June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-28 |title=2021 Census snapshot: Australia has doubled in size over the last 50 years  |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2021-census-snapshot-australia-has-doubled-size-over-last-50-years |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |language=en}}</ref>

The census aims to accurately measure the population, number of [[dwelling]]s in Australia, and a range of their key characteristics. Census data is used for defining [[Electoral district|electoral boundaries]], planning [[infrastructure planning|infrastructure]], establishing community services, and formulating public policy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-27 |title=The Australian Census  |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/about-census/australian-census |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |language=en}}</ref>

===2016 census===
{{main|2016 Australian census}}

In 2016, the ABS conducted its census largely [[online]] through its website and logins rather than through paper forms.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/getonline |title=Get online on August 9 |date=9 August 2016 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=10 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811010653/http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/getonline |archive-date= Aug 11, 2016 }}</ref> The bureau took the form offline for 43 hours from 8:09 pm on 9 August until 2:29 pm on 11 August.<ref name=MacGibbon>{{cite news|url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22publications%2Ftabledpapers%2Fa41f4f25-a08e-49a7-9b5f-d2c8af94f5c5%22|title=Review of the events surrounding the 2016 eCensus: improving institutional cyber security culture and practices across the Australian Government |first=Alastair |last= MacGibbon|date=13 October 2016 |publisher=ParlInfo |access-date=13 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="abs-census-back">{{cite press release |title=2016 census – online form update: 3.00 pm, August 11 |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/5239447C98B47FD0CA25800B00191B1A?OpenDocument |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=11 August 2016 |date=11 August 2016}}</ref> On 10 August, the Australian Statistician, [[David Kalisch (economist)|David Kalisch]], stated that the website was closed after [[denial-of-service attack]]s from an overseas source targeted the online form; "the first three were successfully repelled and the fourth one caused the difficulty that then led us to bring the system down as a precaution".<ref name="abc-newsradio-cyberattacks">{{cite web |title=ABS Chief Statistician reveals to ABC NewsRadio the census website was taken down after four cyber-attacks from an overseas source |url=http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/content/s4515560.htm |website=abc.net.au/newsradio |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=10 August 2016 |date=10 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811214943/http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/content/s4515560.htm |archive-date=11 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A comprehensive review by Alastair MacGibbon, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Cyber Security, tabled in October, concluded that five [[distributed denial-of-service attack]]s – in which incoming traffic from many different sources "floods" the site – had occurred. They had been much smaller than attacks experienced by other Australian Government websites and the preventable outages had resulted from a failed geoblocking strategy, compounded by a hardware failure when the contractor, [[IBM]], attempted to reboot the system after the fourth attack. There was no indication that the census data was insecure or was compromised. Many recommendations of the review included that the ABS should strengthen its approach to managing the performance of outsourced ICT suppliers and that the ABS "should draw upon the lessons it takes from the Census experience to help to guide and to advocate for the cultural change path it is following".<ref name=MacGibbon/>

A [[Australian Senate|Senate]] inquiry was held into the 2016 census, reporting in November and making 16 recommendations including externally conducted privacy impact assessments, engagement with the non-government sector, reporting breaches of census-related data, open tendering, and stability in funding the bureau.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Economics/2016Census/Report|title=2016 Census: issues of trust |publisher=Parliament of Australia|language=en-AU |date=24 November 2016 |access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref> An independent panel was also established by the Australian Statistician to help to ensure the quality of the 2016 census.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2900.0main+features12016|title=2900.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Understanding the Census and Census Data, Australia, 2016  |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=27 June 2017 |language=en|access-date=26 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170826155554/http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2900.0main+features12016 |archive-date=26 August 2017 }}</ref>

=== 2021 census ===
{{Main|2021 Australian census}}

The 2021 census was conducted during the height of the global [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In obtaining data from 10,852,208 dwellings, it exceeded the ABS target. The dwelling response rate was 96.1%, an increase from 95.1% in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-28 |title=2021 Census snapshot: Australia has doubled in size over the last 50 years |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2021-census-snapshot-australia-has-doubled-size-over-last-50-years |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |language=en}}</ref>

==Publications==
The ABS publishes monthly and quarterly economic information spanning interest rates, property prices, employment, the value of the [[Australian dollar]], and commodity prices. Publications include things such as: the Key Economic Indicators, Consumer Price Index, Australian National Accounts, Average Weekly Earnings, and Labour Force.

=== Other major publications ===
Outside the main economic indicators, the ABS has several other major publications covering topics including:
* '''Health:''' The 2011–12 Australian Health Survey was a survey on [[Health in Australia|health and wellbeing]] conducted in Australia. The survey included a biomedical component with respondents having the option of providing biomedical samples such as blood and urine for testing. This allowed the survey to capture detailed health information about health conditions in the community. A secondary component of the Australian Health Survey asked respondents to keep a food diary, which was used to obtain a view of the nutritional intake and dietary preferences of the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/4364.0.55.007?OpenDocument |title=4364.0.55.007 – Australian Health Survey: Nutrition First Results – Foods and Nutrients, 2011–12 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=21 December 2015 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref>
* '''Crime''': The ABS publishes crime statistics such as individual releases covering offenders,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4519.0/ |title=4519.0 – Recorded Crime – Offenders, 2014–15 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=24 February 2016 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> victims of crime,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/4530.0?OpenDocument |title=4530.0 – Crime Victimisation, Australia, 2014–15 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=17 February 2016 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> the corrections system<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/4512.0?OpenDocument |title=4512.0 – Corrective Services, Australia, March Quarter 2016 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=9 June 2016 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> and prisons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/4517.0?OpenDocument |title=4517.0 – Prisoners in Australia, 2015 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> The Australian crime rate statistic for 2021 was 0.74, a 13.51% decline from 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2017 |title=Australia Crime Rate & Statistics 1990-2023 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/AUS/australia/crime-rate-statistics |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=macrotrends}}</ref>
* '''Demography:''' The ABS publishes many [[Demographics of Australia|demographic]] releases including data on population,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3101.0 |title=3101.0 – Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2015 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> population growth<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/3218.0?OpenDocument |title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2014–15 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> and projections,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/3222.0?OpenDocument |title=3222.0 – Population Projections, Australia, 2012 (base) to 2101 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> interstate and overseas migration,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3412.0 |title=3412.0 – Migration, Australia, 2014–15 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> births,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/3301.0 |title=3301.0 – Births, Australia, 2014 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> deaths<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/3302.0?OpenDocument |title=3302.0 – Deaths, Australia, 2014 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> and overseas arrivals and departures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3401.0 |title=3401.0 – Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, May 2016 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=6 July 2016 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander]] statistics: The [[National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey]] (NATSISS) collects information on the social situation of Indigenous Australians, including data on health, education, [[Indigenous Australians#Culture|culture]], and labour force participation. The ABS also collects data related to Aboriginal and [[Torres Strait Islanders]] through the Australian Health Survey<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4727.0.55.003 |title=4727.0.55.003 – Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Biomedical Results, 2012–13 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> as well as in many other regular publications in the areas of demography, education, employment, and more.
* '''Education:''' The major education publications are Childhood Education and Care,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4402.0 |title=4402.0 – Childhood Education and Care, Australia, June 2014 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> Schools,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/4221.0/ |title=4221.0 – Schools, Australia, 2015 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=5 April 2016 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> and Education and Work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/6227.0/ |title=6227.0 – Education and Work, Australia, May 2015 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> They look at all aspects of education in Australia from preschool up to undergraduate and postgraduate study.
* '''Environment:''' The ABS has publications on [[environmental topics]] covering energy and water use, [[Conservation movement|conservation]] activities undertaken by households, land management, farming, and more. 
* '''Research and Innovation:''' The ABS has been undertaking surveys to collect estimates from Australian organisations regarding expenditure on and human resources devoted to research and development (R&D) in Australia since 1978. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8166.0 |title=8166.0 – Summary of IT Use and Innovation in Australian Business, 2014–15 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=16 June 2016 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref>

In August 2017, the Treasurer issued a directive to the ABS to undertake a statistical collection into the views of Australians on the electoral roll about [[Same-sex marriage in Australia|same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01006|title=Census and Statistics (Statistical Information) Direction 2017|last=Treasury|website=www.legislation.gov.au|date=17 August 2017 |language=en|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref> This is now referred to as the [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey]].

The ABS previously published the ''Yearbook Australia'', from 1908 to 2012 under various [[ISSN]]s and titles (''Commonwealth yearbook'', ''Official yearbook of the Commonwealth of Australia'').<ref>{{Cite web |title=1301.0 |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/second+level+view?ReadForm&prodno=1301.0&viewtitle=Year%20Book%20Australia~2008~Latest~07/02/2008&&tabname=Past%20Future%20Issues&prodno=1301.0&issue=2008&num=&view=& |access-date=2019-09-22 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |language=en}}</ref>

The ABS publishes an annual report with a detailed description of the bureau's activities during the preceding year, accounting for its use of public resources and performance against planned outcomes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/Annual+Report |title=Annual reports |date=2024 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date= 24 March 2024 }}</ref>

== The Australian Statistical Geography Standard ==

The ABS maintains the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), a system of geographic statistical areas in Australia. The ASGS includes geographic structures created and maintained by the ABS, as well as structures defined by other bodies but which the ABS uses for reporting statistical information.

The ABS structures within the ASGS include a Main Structure, which is a nested hierarchy of geographic areas ranging from very small units to the whole of Australia.

There are other ABS structures that are schemes with specific uses. They are built from units of the Main Structure, or smaller units in the same structure. Examples include the Indigenous Structure, a structure for urban areas, and the Remoteness Structure.

For all the ABS structures, all geographic units at a given level of the structure cover the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps, though this sometimes involves defining units, such as 'Remainder of State/Territory (<nowiki><state></nowiki>)' in the Urban Centres and Localities level of the Urban Areas structure, to ensure complete geographic coverage.

The non-ABS structures within the ASGS have geographical units whose boundaries are defined by bodies such as state governments, and that may or may not cover the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps. Examples include electoral divisions, Postal Areas, and Suburbs and Localities. The boundaries of these units are approximated in the ASGS so they match boundaries in the ABS Main Structure.

The current version of the ASGS is Version 3 of 2021.

=== ABS Structures ===

These structures within the ASGS are defined by the ABS.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%" border="1" style="text-align:center;"
! width="20%" | 
! width="10%" | Abbreviation
! width="50%" | Description
! width="12%" | Built from
! width="8%"  | Geographically<br />Complete
|-
| align="left" colspan="5" bgcolor="#ffdead" | '''Main Structure'''
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Mesh Block|Mesh block|mesh block|meshblock}}
| MB
| align="left" | Mesh Blocks are the smallest defined areas in the ASGS, and reflect a single dominant land use where possible. All other ASGS areas are built up from mesh blocks. Residential and similar mesh blocks where possible contain between 30 and 60 dwellings. Non-residential mesh blocks (e.g.: commercial, parkland, transport, agriculture) generally have a zero or close-to-zero population count. The only statistics the ABS provides for mesh blocks are the total population and the total dwelling count.<ref name=mb>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/mesh-blocks
| title = Mesh Blocks
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| 
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Statistical Area 1|Statistical area 1|statistical area 1|Statistical Area Level 1|statistical area level 1}}
| SA1
| align="left" | Populated SA1s generally have a population of 200 to 800 people, and are designed to maximise the spatial detail of census data without compromising confidentiality. Urban SA1s have a population density of more than {{convert|200|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}, or built infrastructure and other land uses surrounded by urban area. Rural SA1s have less than {{convert|200|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}, or contain other rural or natural areas, and are generally internally connected by road transport.<ref name=sa1>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/statistical-area-level-1
| title = Statistical Area Level 1
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| MB
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Statistical Area 2|Statistical area 2|statistical area 2|Statistical Area Level 2|statistical area level 2}}
| SA2
| align="left" | SA2s are designed to represent a single community. They generally have a population of between 3,000 and 25,000 - though populations may be smaller in sparse, geographically diverse areas, or larger in order to contain all of a large suburb or regional town. They are the smallest units for which the ABS reports non-census data, and are also the smallest areas (in the Main Structure) that are named.<ref name=sa2>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/statistical-area-level-2
| title = Statistical Area Level 2
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA1
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Statistical Area 3|Statistical area 3|statistical area 3|Statistical Area Level 3|statistical area level 3}}
| SA3
| align="left" | SA3s are designed to represent meaningful regional areas, either the functional area{{refn | group=note | Functional Areas include populations of and around cities and larger regional towns who travel to the town for work, socialising or services.<ref name=farea>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/census/guide-census-data/geography/census-geography-glossary#greater-capital-city-statistical-area-gccsa-
| title = Functional Areas
| date = 4 November 2022
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>}} around a city or town, or related suburbs clustered around urban commercial or transport hubs. They generally have populations between 30,000 and 130,000.<ref name=sa3>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/statistical-area-level-3
| title = Statistical Area Level 3
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA2
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Statistical Area 4|Statistical area 4|statistical area 4|Statistical Area Level 4|statistical area level 4}}
| SA4
| align="left" | SA4s represent labour markets, including areas around employment hubs within (or sub-divisions of) the larger capital cities, and the travel to work patterns around larger regional towns. Outer regional and remote SA4s represent aggregations of smaller labour markets. SA4s are the largest sub-state regions in the Main Structure, and are intended to be stable over time, to allow accurate time series in labour force data. They generally have populations of about 100,000 to 300,000 in regional areas, and between 300,000 and 500,000 in cities.<ref name=sa4>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/statistical-area-level-4
| title = Statistical Area Level 4
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA3
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|States and Territories|States and territories|states and territories}}
| S/T
| align="left" | The States and Territories represent the legal entities, with the Other Territories (Jervis Bay Territory, and the Territories of Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Norfolk Island) included as a single area.<ref name=sttaus>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/australia-and-stateterritory
| title = Australia, States and Territories
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA4
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Australia|australia}}
| AUS
| align="left" | Statistics for the whole of the geographic definition of Australia are reported at this level.<ref name=sttaus />
| S/T
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Greater Capital City Statistical Area|Greater capital city statistical area|greater capital city statistical area}}
| GCCSA
| align="left" | GCCSAs represent the functional areas of each of the capital cities, as well as regions for the rest of each state or territory (except the ACT, which is a single GCCSA), and a region for the Other Territories.<ref name=gccsa>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/greater-capital-city-statistical-areas
| title = Greater Capital City Statistical Areas
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA4
| Yes
|-
| align="left" colspan="5" bgcolor="#ffdead" | '''Indigenous Structure'''
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Indigenous Location|Indigenous location|indigenous location}}
| ILOC
| align="left" | ILOCs represent small indigenous communities who share location, language, traditional borders or Native Title. With a minimum of about 90 people, they are designed to allow analysis of small areas without losing individual confidentiality. ILOCS may also represent larger areas with a more dispersed indigenous population.<ref name=iloc>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/indigenous-structure/indigenous-locations
| title = Indigenous Locations
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA1
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Indigenous Area|Indigenous area|indigenous area}}
| IARE
| align="left" | IAREs are medium-sized geographic areas that represent larger indigenous populations than ILOCs, and therefore allow the release of more detailed economic and population statistics.<ref name=iare>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/indigenous-structure/indigenous-areas
| title = Indigenous Areas
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| ILOC
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Indigenous Region|Indigenous region|indigenous region}}
| IREG
| align="left" | IREGs combine one or more IAREs, with boundaries based originally on the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission boundaries (no longer maintained). Jervis Bay and Norfolk Island are each represented by individual Indigenous Regions, while Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands are combined into a single IREG.<ref name=ireg>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/indigenous-structure/indigenous-regions
| title = Indigenous Regions
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| IARE
| Yes
|-
| align="left" colspan="5" bgcolor="#ffdead" | '''Urban Areas Structure''' (referred to in the ASGS as 'Significant Urban Areas, Urban Centres and Localities, Section of State')
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Urban Centres and Localities|Urban centres and localities|urban centre and locality}}
| UCL
| align="left" | UCLs are areas of concentrated urban development, defined as combinations of SA1s that meet certain population-density or dwelling-density thresholds, or contain urban infrastructure adjacent to areas that meet the thresholds. They generally have a population of at least 200 people. Urban SA1s may be (or be combined into) urban Localities{{refn | group=note | name=localities | The distinction between Localities in UCLs and Localities in the SAL structure needs to be recognised. In UCLs, an (urban) locality is an area ''of urban character'' (ie: meeting certain population- or dwelling-density criteria) with a population between 200 and (usually) 999. In the SAL structure a locality is any SAL unit that is not within a city or large town - SAL localities may be partly or entirely rural in character.}} if the combined population is between 200 and (usually) 999, or into Urban Centres if the combined population is 1,000 or more and together the SA1s share an urban identity and a name. There is also a single UCL in each state or territory called 'Remainder of State/Territory (<nowiki><S/T name></nowiki>)' which combines all rural areas.<ref name=ucl>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/significant-urban-areas-urban-centres-and-localities-section-state/urban-centres-and-localities
| title = Urban Centres and Localities
| date = 10 May 2022
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA1
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Section of State Range|Section of state range|section of state range}}
| SOSR
| align="left" | SOSR categorises UCLS based on their population size. There are 11 categories, ranging from UCLs with a population of 1 million or more, down to UCLS with 499 or less, and a category containing the Remainder of State/Territory UCLs.<ref name=sosr>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/significant-urban-areas-urban-centres-and-localities-section-state/section-state-range
| title = Section of State Range
| date = 10 May 2022
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| UCL
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Section of State|Section of state|section of state}}
| SOS
| align="left" | SOS categorises UCLS based on their UCL class (Urban Centre or Locality) and population size. There are only 4 categories: 
* Major Urban - Urban Centres with population 100,000 or more
* Other Urban - Urban Centres with population 99,999 or less
* Bounded Locality - all UCL Localities{{refn | group=note | name=localities}}
* Rural Balance - the Remainder of State/Territory UCLs.<ref name=sos>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/significant-urban-areas-urban-centres-and-localities-section-state/section-state
| title = Section of State
| date = 10 May 2022
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| UCL
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Significant Urban Areas|Significant Urban Area|significant urban area}}
| SUA
| align="left" | SUAs are Urban Centres (or combinations of Urban Centres) that contain a population of 10,000 or more. SUAs may cross state and territory boundaries, and those that are combinations of Urban Centres are named after either those centres or have a region name. All SA2s are either included in an SUA, or combined into a Not in any Significant Urban Area region for each state and territory.<ref name=sua>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/significant-urban-areas-urban-centres-and-localities-section-state/significant-urban-areas
| title = Significant Urban Areas
| date = 10 May 2022
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA2
| Yes
|-
| align="left" colspan="5" bgcolor="#ffdead" | '''Remoteness Structure'''
|-
! {{visible anchor|Remoteness Structure|Remoteness structure|remoteness structure}}
| RA
| align="left" | The Remoteness Structure defines Remoteness Areas with various classes of remoteness for the whole of Australia. The five defined remoteness classes are: Major Cities, Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote, and Very Remote.<ref name=ra>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/remoteness-structure
| title = Remoteness Structure
| date = 21 March 2023
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA1
| Yes
|}

=== Non-ABS Structures ===

These structures are defined by bodies other than the ABS, though the ABS commits to providing a range of statistics for them. Where the legal or other boundaries of the geographical units within these structures don't exactly match mesh blocks boundaries, the ABS uses mesh block boundaries to approximate them; therefore the ASGS units should only be used for statistical purposes.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%" border="1" style="text-align:center;"
! width="20%" | 
! width="10%" | Abbreviation
! width="50%" | Description
! width="12%" | Built from
! width="8%"  | Complete
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Local Government Areas|Local government areas|Local Government Area|Local government area|local government area}}
| LGA
| align="left" | LGAs are defined by state or territory governments. Areas outside incorporated local government bodies are consolidated into a single region in each state or territory.<ref name=lga>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/local-government-areas
| title = Local Government Areas
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| MB
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Postal Areas|Postal areas|Postal Area|Postal area|postal area}}
| POA
| align="left" | POAs are mesh block approximations of the postcode areas used by Australia Post (though Australia Post does not release detailed boundaries for its postcodes). Not all geographic postcodes have equivalent Postal Areas.<ref name=poa>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/postal-areas
| title = Postal Areas
| date = 2 February 2022
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| MB
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Suburbs and Localities|Suburbs and localities|Suburb and Locality|Suburb and locality|suburb and locality}}
| SAL
| align="left" | SALs are mesh block approximations of the suburbs (in larger urban areas) and localities{{refn | group=note | name=localities}} (outside these areas) which are defined and named by state & territory governments. Not all legally designated suburbs & localities have an equivalent SAL. SALs were known as State Suburbs (SSC) in the ASGS prior to the 2021 census.<ref name=sal>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/suburbs-and-localities
| title = Suburbs and Localities
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
{{refn | group=note | The ABS explicitly does not define towns. It suggests using UCLs for urban areas with populations greater than 200 people, or SALs for smaller settlements.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/statistical-geography/frequently-asked-questions#does-the-abs-define-towns-
| title = ABS No Town Definition
| date = 21 March 2023
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>}}
| MB
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|State Electoral Divisions|State electoral divisions|State electoral division|state electoral division}}
| SED
| align="left" | SEDs are mesh block approximations of state electoral districts defined by state or territory electoral commissions. For Victoria and Western Australia, lower house SEDs are named and coded with the upper house region they are in. For Tasmania, SEDs are defined for each combination of lower house region and upper house region that occurs.<ref name=sed>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/state-electoral-divisions
| title = State Electoral Divisions
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| MB
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Commonwealth Electoral Divisions|Commonwealth electoral divisions|Commonwealth electoral division|commonwealth electoral division}}
| CED
| align="left" | CEDs are mesh block approximations of Federal electoral divisions as defined by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The Other Territories are included in electoral divisions in the states or territories that the AEC allocates them to.<ref name=ced>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/commonwealth-electoral-divisions
| title = Commonwealth Electoral Divisions
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| MB
| Yes
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Tourism Regions|Tourism regions|Tourism region|tourism region}}
| TR
| align="left" | TRs are approximations of the Tourist Regions defined by Tourism Research Australia (TRA).{{refn | group=note | name=TourismRegions | Although the ABS states that its TRs are approximations of the regions defined by Tourism Research Australia (TRA), TRA states that its regions are 'constructed from allocations of whole ... SA2s' <ref name=tra>{{cite web | url = https://www.tra.gov.au/en/regional/tourism-regions.html
| title = TRA Tourism Regions
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Tourism Research Australia}}</ref>}}<ref name=tr>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/tourism-regions
| title = ASGS Tourism Regions
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| SA2
| No
|- 
! {{visible anchor|Destination Zones|Destination zones|Destination Zone|Destination zone|destination zone}}
| DZN
| align="left" | DZNs are sub-divisions of SA2s designed for the analysis of Place of Work data from the census, and of commuting patterns. Although built from whole mesh blocks, and combined into SA2s, they do not necessarily align with SA1s.<ref name=dzn>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/destination-zones
| title = Destination Zones
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| MB
| Yes
|- 
! Australian Drainage Divisions
| ADD
| align="left" | ADDs are mesh block approximations of the drainage divisions defined by the Bureau of Meteorology. Mesh blocks are allocated to ADDs based on largest area contribution, not population. There is a single ADD for the offshore Other Territories.<ref name=add>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures/australian-drainage-divisions
| title = Australian Drainage Divisions
| date = 10 June 2021
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
| MB
| Yes
|}

=== Editions ===

The ASGS was introduced by the ABS in 2011 as a replacement for the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC).<ref name=asgsversion1>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/1270.0.55.001Main+Features1July%202011?OpenDocument=s
| title = ASGS Version 1
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>

New editions essentially coincide with the 5-yearly ABS censuses, though boundary changes made to Non-ABS structures may be updated as often as annually.

The significant changes for Edition 2 (2016) included:<ref name=asgsversion2>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/1270.0.55.001Main+Features10018July%202016?OpenDocument
| title = ASGS Version 2
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
* addition of a boundary and code for the whole of Australia, and the inclusion of Norfolk Island
* non-ABS structures now primarily approximated by mesh blocks

The significant changes for Edition 3 (2021) included:<ref name=asgsversion3>{{cite web | url = https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026#key-changes
| title = ASGS Version 3
| access-date = 2023-09-10
| publisher = Australia Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
* introduction of Destination Zones to the Non-ABS structures
* removal of Natural Resource Management Regions
* electoral divisions, both commonwealth and state, are now approximated by mesh blocks
* the previous State Suburbs (SSCs) now called Suburbs and Localities (SALs)

==International engagement==
The ABS engages in international and regional statistical forums including the [[United Nations Statistical Commission|United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC)]], the [[OECD|Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)]] Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy (CSSP), and the [[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe|United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)]] Conference for European Statisticians (CES).

The ABS has a partnership with [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|DFAT]] to deliver statistical and institutional capability building programs for the [[Indo-Pacific|Indo-Pacific region]], both in-country and by hosting development visits. The ABS has also hosted international development and study visits from countries including [[China]], [[Japan]], [[Canada]], [[Korea]], and [[Nepal]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1001.0~2013-14~Main%20Features~International%20Engagement~13 |title=1001.0 – Australian Bureau of Statistics – Annual Report, 2013–14 |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}} [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/ Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia] licence.</ref>

==Australian Statistician==
{{main|Australian Statistician}}
Since 1975, the head of the ABS has been known as the "[[Australian Statistician]]". The title has been previously known as the "Commonwealth Statistician".

The incumbent since 11 December 2019 is [[David Gruen (economist)|David Gruen]].<ref name="Gruen">{{cite web|url=http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/josh-frydenberg-2018/media-releases/appointment-australian-bureau-statistics-australian|title=Appointment of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Australian Statistician|website=Department of the Treasury|date=28 November 2019 |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref> Previous incumbents have included [[David Kalisch (economist)|David Kalisch]]<ref name=kal>{{cite web|author=National |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/david-kalisch-new-australian-statistician-leads-australian-bureau-of-statistics-after-tumultuous-year-20141212-125xjv.html |title=David Kalisch new Australian Statistician: Leads Australian Bureau of Statistics after tumultuous year |website=Canberratimes.com.au |date=12 December 2014 |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> and [[Brian Pink]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treasurer.gov.au/tsr/content/pressreleases/2006/135.asp |title=Appointment of Australian Statistician |date=13 December 2006 |work=Press Release, [[Treasurer of Australia]] |access-date=12 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830121644/http://www.treasurer.gov.au/tsr/content/pressreleases/2006/135.asp |archive-date=30 August 2007 }}</ref> Pink retired in January 2014.<ref name="abs.gov.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats%5Cabs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyCatalogue/38F2D0004ACEA91BCA257C450083A597?Opendocument |date=19 December 2013 |title=The Australian Statistician to retire (Media Release) |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> Ian Ewing acted in the role from 13 January to 14 February 2014, and Jonathan Palmer acted from 17 February to 12 December 2014.

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia}}
* [[Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification|ANZSIC]] – Australian and New Zealand standard industrial classification, an industry classification developed jointly with [[Statistics New Zealand]]
* [[Demography of Australia]]
* [[SEIFA]] – Socio-economic indexes for areas, the Australian indexes of social advantage and disadvantage, created by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
* [[Census and Statistics Act 1905]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|www.abs.gov.au}}
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.statistics.gov.au/|title=Australian Bureau of Statistics (statistics.gov.au)}}
* [https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/second+level+view?ReadForm&prodno=1301.0&viewtitle=Year%20Book%20Australia~2012~Latest~24/05/2012&&tabname=Past%20Future%20Issues&prodno=1301.0&issue=2012&num=&view=& ''Year Book Australia'']
* [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/1370.0 "Measuring Australia's Progress"]

{{Australian Government Agencies and Bodies}}
{{National statistics agencies}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian Bureau of Statistics}}
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[[Category:1905 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Demographics of Australia]]
[[Category:Standards of Australia]]
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