Geography Changes Explained

By far the biggest change to the 2011 Census from 2006 is the underlying geographical hierarchy which defines how the data is grouped together by the ABS and released to the public.

In 2006 this hierarchy was named the Australian Statistical Geography Classification (ASGC), where Collection Districts (CDs) were the lowest unit demographic for which data was released. For 2011 and beyond, however, the ABS has created a brand new hierarchy, called the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

This subtle change in name understates the vast difference between the new and old geographies. The key changes are described below:

ASGS: Main Structure	ASGS: Non-ABS Structures
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics View full-size image
Main Structure: Key Points Statistical Area Level 1s (SA1s) replace Collection Districts (CDs) as the lowest level at which detailed demographic data is released. Read more about SA1s Mesh Blocks now included as a true geography in the hierarchy, making up SA1s in entirety. Read more about Mesh Blocks Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) to be phased out and replaced by Statistical Area Level 2s (SA2s). Read more about SA2s	Non-ABS Structures: Key Points Local Government Areas (LGAs) based on 2011 Mesh Blocks, as best determined in July 2011 Postal Areas approximated using whole SA1s, as best determined in July 2011.

Geographies Compared

2011: ASGS	vs.	2006: ASGC
Australia		Australia
State/Territory		State/Territory
Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) (106 Regions)		Statistical Division (SD) (69 Regions)
Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3) (351 Regions)		Statistical Subdivision (SSD) (217 Regions)
Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) (2,214 Regions)		Statistical Local Area (SLA) (1,426 Regions)
Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) (54,805 Regions)		Collection District (CD) (38,704 Regions)
Mesh Block (MB) (347,627 Regions)

Overview of Geographies

The links below reference information on the ABS Website, providing a detailed description of each of the geographies and volumes that comprise the 2011 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas

Released in December, 2010

• State/Territory
• Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4)
• Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3)
• Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2)
• Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1)
• Mesh Block (MB)
• Greater Capital City Statistical Area

Volume 2 - Indigenous Structures

Released 20 September, 2011

• Indigenous Regions (IREG)
• Indigenous Area (IARE)
• Indigenous Location (ILOC)

Volume 3 - Non-ABS Structures

Released 22 July, 2011

• Tourism Regions (TR)
• Postal Area (POA)
• State Suburb (SSC)
• Commonwealth Electoral Division (CED)
• State Electoral Division (SED)
• Australian Drainage Division (ADD)
• Natural Resource Management Region (NRMR)
• Local Government Area (LGA)

Volume 4 - Significant Urban Area, Urban Centres and Localities and Section of State

To be released in October, 2012

• Significant Urban Area
• Section of State
• Section of State Ranges
• Urban Centre and Localities

Volume 5 - Remoteness Structure

To be released in December, 2012

• Remoteness Area