Australian Bureau of Statistics

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Agency overview
Formed	8 December 1905
Jurisdiction	Government of Australia
Headquarters	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Employees	3,000 (approx.)
Agency executive	David Gruen, Australian Statistician
Parent department	Treasury
Website	www.abs.gov.au

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is the independent statistical agency of the Government of Australia. It is responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistical information on a wide range of economic, social, population, and environmental matters. The ABS plays a crucial role in providing data that informs policy decisions, research, and public debate.

History

The ABS was established as the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics in 1905, following the passage of the Census and Statistics Act 1905. The agency was renamed the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 1975. Since its inception, the ABS has conducted regular censuses and surveys to gather data on various aspects of Australian life.

Functions

The primary functions of the ABS include:

• Conducting the national Census of Population and Housing every five years, which provides comprehensive data on the Australian population.
• Collecting and publishing statistics on a wide range of topics, including economics, health, education, environment, and demographics.
• Providing statistical leadership and coordination across the Australian government and with international statistical agencies.
• Ensuring the quality, integrity, and accessibility of Australian statistics.

Key Publications

The ABS produces a variety of key publications, including:

• Australian Demographic Statistics
• Labour Force, Australia
• Consumer Price Index, Australia
• National Accounts, Australia
• Australian Social Trends

Governance

The ABS is headed by the Australian Statistician, who is appointed by the Governor-General. The current Australian Statistician is David Gruen, who has held the position since December 2019.

Challenges and Criticisms

The ABS has faced several challenges, including budget constraints, technological changes, and the need to maintain public trust in its data. The 2016 Census was particularly controversial due to technical issues that led to the temporary shutdown of the online census form.

Also see

• Census in Australia
• Australian Taxation Office
• Department of the Treasury (Australia)
• Statistics New Zealand

External links

• Official website of the Australian Bureau of Statistics