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I	nternet

There are other types of information available to purchase from the ABS. They have a product called 4-site, which combines census data, the business register, household expenditure surveys and the like into a package of information describing the clientele in a surrounding district; priced at AU$200 to $600. You can also purchase import or export data by destination, origin, and specific product code.

If you live in Australia, each capital state has its' own ABS library. ABS publications are also found at all Universities, the State Library, and smaller collections can be found in many public libraries. If you visit the ABS library, be sure to ask for their free ABS catalogue on disk. [Catalogue #1101.0.15.001]

The commercial entry below may also interest you, as it is a service that adds value to existing census data.

S	trategy

National Statistical Agencies are certainly not the only source of statistics. They are, however, some of the easiest to access. These agencies have several traits that distinguish them from other information sources. Firstly, statistical agencies are legally required to disguise their statistics to protect the identity of specific businesses and individuals (with the exception of the Business Register). If there is only one or two timber exporters in Western Australia, the ABS will not give you timber exports from Western Australia. Specific information may be found in directories like Kompass, commercial databases, or insider information from either experts or articles by experts. Secondly, national statistical agencies have a tendency to be old.

Most surveys are not completed annually but rather every two, three or more years. Census data is older still. The analysis process also adds a delay. The ABS tends to take a year or more to collate and analyze statistics. For Legal and Accounting Services Australia we have '92-'93 statistics, and the '95-96 statistics are due to be released early Nov 1997. Certain statistics like National Indicators are rapidly produced but most are not. Thirdly, national statistical agency publications are detailed - far more than most statistical publications. Commercial statistical sources often neglect supporting information like sample size and demographic breakdown but expect these publications to include this and more. Publications may still require further analysis, and may occasionally come from inferior sources of information but they are professionally delivered.

There are several ways to search each agency:
1_  Each agency has thoughtfully provided their catalogue of publications online. The links are above.

2_  Each agency collects certain information for analysis. It is helpful to become familiar with the various surveys and information sources used by each agency.

Besides the Census, the ABS conducts surveys of weekly household expenditure, agricultural land-use surveys, R&D surveys, and periodic surveys of various segments of the economy (like Legal and Accounting Services, Australia 1992-93). They also collect landing cards (tourism information), export and import documentation, regional hotel occupancy rates and more. Each statistical agency is similar. If the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has not yet conducted a survey of hospital occupancy, this information will not be available.

3_  Agencies publish guides to information on a particular topic. They also publish various newsletters of recent releases and annual yearbooks too.

C	onclusion

These statistics are not the only statistics available, nor particularly the best in many circumstances. They are, however, often the best source for demographic data, widely used by government and frequently re-published in other government documents.

These agencies also provide a range of sample and national summary data directly from their website. Online statistics have not yet been organized, so I rather expect browsing the website for free information will be unwise, unless you are looking for simple national data.