Countries of Birth

Description

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released information about countries of birth as revealed through the last Census. The information is based on the count of persons (place of usual residence) and shows the birthplace countries of people in a given area. The information is derived from a specific question on the Census form that asks about the birthplace countries of respondents.

Quality and Applicability

Place of usual residence counts are used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in all its standard data sets e.g. Basic Community Profile, Expanded Community Profile, Indigenous Profile and QuickStats.

Information about countries of birth can give us a good picture of the cultural diversity of a given area – but only of an area's more established migrant communities. This is because figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics relate to the most common 35 countries of birth responses (including Australia). Those born in countries with fewer numbers of people due to later arrival patterns – and who would represent emerging communities – remain unidentified in Census figures (grouped collectively under 'Born Elsewhere'). Whilst information about countries of birth is important, it is best used in conjunction with other cultural diversity indicators such as emerging communities, religion, and languages other than English and proficiency in spoken English.

Coverage

Information about countries of birth is available for local government areas, statistical local areas, suburbs, and collector districts – by sex and age (ten-year age groups).

Collector districts are the smallest spatial units under the Australian Standard Geographical Classification system used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Collector districts enable the collection and dissemination of Census data. Statistical local areas fit into the boundaries of incorporated bodies of local government (i.e. local government areas) when aggregated.

Reference Date

Information about countries of birth refers to 8 August 2006, the most recent Census.

Release Date

The Australian Bureau of Statistics progressively released all standard data sets based on the 2006 Census during 2007.

Access

Information about countries of birth is contained in the Expanded Community Profile Cat. No. 2005.0 2006 Table X01. Select the 'Community Profiles' function to search for an area by name then open its Expanded Community Profile.

Cost and Format

Australian Bureau of Statistics data sets are downloadable free of charge in excel spreadsheet format.

More Information

Stay informed about all Census products by regularly visiting the Australian Bureau of Statistics and checking product release news/dates. Or subscribe to the free email notification service by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and typing 'add to Census email' in the subject field. Or call the National Information and Referral Service 1300 135 070. This service can also provide assistance in navigating the Census website.

Additional Data Source(s)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released information about ancestry as revealed through the last Census. The information is based on the count of persons (place of usual residence) and is derived from a question that asks people to name the country of birth of their ancestors (which may or may not be the same as their own birthplace country). When used with information about countries of birth, ancestry gives a good picture of an area's ethnicity. A full classification listing of over 250 ancestry countries is accessible through Census Tables. Select the 'Census Tables' function, click to view tables by topic, click 'Location on Census Night', and select 'Ancestry' as the topic. You can then select the table containing the full classification listing.

Information about countries of birth is available through profile.id, an online product designed to support local government planning and accessible through council websites. Go to your council website, search for community profiles, and click on 'Who Are We/Where Were We Born' to generate reports based on the last Census. Reports are available for local government areas and smaller areas (e.g. suburbs). More on profile.id.

Information about countries of birth based on the last Census is available through the Victorian Local Governance Association online library of social statistics.

The Spatial Analysis and Research Branch, Department of Planning and Community Development, is currently preparing statistical information derived from the most recent Census. Statistical information will be available in a number of products including Know Your Area and Suburbs in Time. For updates, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , telephone (03) 9637 9441, write to PO Box 500 East Melbourne Vic 3002, or visit Spatial Analysis Research Branch and view product and release dates.