Australian Bureau Of Statistics Research Articles

International students on the edge: The precarious impacts of financial stress

International students are an important global cohort of ‘noncitizens’ whose experiences are central concerns for urban sociologists and migration scholars. Drawing on survey fieldwork conducted among international students in the private rental sector in Sydney and Melbourne during 2019, this article provides new knowledge about the hardships experienced by international students who report financial stress. Using a modified scale developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, we highlight the accelerating role of high levels of financial stress in producing disruptive events such as housing evictions and fears of homelessness, as well as reliance on inadequate housing like ‘hot-bedding’. Financial stress is significantly more likely for students from low-GNI (gross national income) countries and higher stress reduces wellbeing. Access to paid employment, however, does not ‘protect’ against higher financial stress. We conclude that higher education policymakers need tools and policies to prevent disruptive life events among international students related to financial stress, particularly those associated with housing.

Time Series Visualization and Forecasting from Australian Building and Construction Statistics

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) regularly releases statistical information, for the whole of Australia, for public access. Building- and construction-related statistics are important to reflect the status of this pillar industry of Australia and help researchers, practitioners, and investors with decision-making. Due to complex retrieval hierarchy of ABS’s website and irregular update frequency, it is usually time-consuming to find relevant information. Moreover, browsing the raw data from ABS’s webpages could not provide the insights to the future. In this work, we applied techniques from computer science to help users in the building and construction domain to better explore the ABS statistics and forecast the future trends. Specifically, we built an integrated Web application that could help collect, sort, and visualize the ABS statistics in a user-friendly and customized way. Our Web application is publicly accessible. We further injected our insights into the Web application, based on the existing data by providing online forecasting on user’s interested information. To achieve this, we identified a series of related economic factors as features and adjusted a multi-variant, LSTM-based time series forecasting model by considering the most informative factors. We also compared our approach with the most widely used SARIMA-based forecasting model to show the effectiveness of the deep learning-based models. The forecast values are depicted at the end of the time series plots, selected by the users.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and bystander response by socioeconomic disadvantage in communities of New South Wales, Australia

Background & aimBystander response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) may relate to area-level factors, including socioeconomic status (SES). We aimed to examine whether OHCA among individuals in more disadvantaged areas are less likely to receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compared to those in more advantaged areas. MethodsWe analysed data on OHCAs in New South Wales, Australia collected prospectively through a statewide, population-based register. We excluded non-medical arrests; arrests witnessed by a paramedic; occurring in a medical centre, nursing home, police station; or airport, and among individuals with a Do-Not-Resuscitate order. Area-level SES for each arrest was defined using the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage and its relationship to likelihood of receiving bystander CPR was examined using hierarchical logistic regression models. ResultsOverall, 39% (6622/16,914) of arrests received bystander CPR (71% of bystander-witnessed). The OHCA burden in disadvantaged areas was higher (age-standardised incidence 76–87/100,000/year in more disadvantaged quintiles 1–4 versus 52 per 100,000/year in most advantaged quintile 5). Bystander CPR rates were lower (38%) in the most disadvantaged quintile and highest (42%) in the most advantaged SES quintile. In adjusted models, younger age, being bystander-witnessed, arresting in a public location, and urban location were all associated with greater likelihood of receiving bystander CPR; however, the association between area-level SES and bystander CPR rate was not significant. ConclusionsThere are lower rates of bystander CPR in less advantaged areas, however after accounting for patient and location characteristics, area-level SES was not associated with bystander CPR. Concerted efforts to engage with communities to improve bystander CPR in novel ways could improve OHCA outcomes.

Association between socioeconomic status and joint replacement of the hip and knee: a population-based cohort study of older adults in Tasmania.

A socioeconomic gradient exists in the utilisation of total hip replacements (THR) and total knee replacements (TKR) for osteoarthritis. However, the relations between socioeconomic status (SES) and time to THR or TKR is unknown. To describe the association between SES and time to THR and TKR. One thousand and seventy-two older adults residing in Tasmania, Australia, were studied. Incident primary THR and TKR were determined by data linkage to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. At baseline, each participant's area-level SES was determined using the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2001 census data. The IRSAD was analysed in two ways: (i) categorised into quartiles, whereby quartile 1 represented the most socioeconomically disadvantaged group; and (ii) the cohort dichotomised at the quartile 1 cut-point. The mean age was 63.0 (±7.5) years and 51% were women. Over the median follow up of 12.9 (interquartile range: 12.2-13.9) years, 56 (5%) participants had a THR and 79 (7%) had a TKR. Compared with the most disadvantaged quartile, less disadvantaged participants were less likely to have a THR (i.e. less disadvantaged participants had a longer time to THR; hazard ratio (HR): 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32, 1.00) but not TKR (HR: 0.90; 95% CI 0.53, 1.54). However, the former became non-significant after adjustment for pain and radiographic osteoarthritis, suggesting that the associations may be mediated by these factors. The present study suggests that time to joint replacement was determined according to the symptoms/need of the participants rather than their SES.

Impact of Australian Bureau of Statistics data perturbation techniques on the precision of Census population counts, and the propagation of this impact in a geospatial analysis of high-risk foot hospital admissions among an Indigenous population

ABSTRACT Precise population counts facilitate reliable estimation of differences in disease risk between population sub-groups or geographic regions, which informs rational public health decision-making. In Australia, Census population counts obtainable via the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS’) TableBuilder tool, which are widely used, are routinely perturbed to protect privacy. We examine this perturbation’s impact on: the precision of TableBuilder population counts, and a geospatial analysis of high-risk foot (HRF) hospital admissions among Western Australian (WA) Indigenous people. The former is severely compromised, disproportionately so for Indigenous people and under the currently employed ‘perturbation without additivity’ (PWoA) approach. E.g., based on fine-resolution, PWoA-affected data, the Indigenous population total for ‘Inner City’ WA was >50% lower than its true total. Imprecise calculation of WA Indigenous HRF admission counts, and misrepresentation of high-rate regions of such admissions in Perth, resulted. An approach suggested to manage this - examination of coarse-resolution data - is inadequate, partly due the modifiable areal unit problem. However, a novel map overlay technique alleviates this issue. We recommend that the ABS review the PWoA approach and consider implementing different statistical disclosure control techniques or reverting to the previously employed ‘perturbation with additivity’ approach, prior to releasing data from the 2021 Australian Census.

Spatio-temporal distribution of vector borne diseases in Australia and Papua New Guinea vis-à-vis climatic factors.

Weather and climate are directly linked to human health including the distribution and occurrence of vector-borne diseases which are of significant concern for public health. In this review, studies on spatiotemporal distribution of dengue, Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) and Ross River Virus (RRV) in Australia and malaria in Papua New Guinea (PNG) under the influence of climate change and/ or human society conducted in the past two decades were analysed and summarised. Environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and tides were the main contributors from climate. The Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) index (a product from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that ranks areas in Australia according to relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage) was important in evaluating contribution from human society. For future studies, more emphasis on evaluation of impact of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and human society on spatio-temporal distribution of vector borne diseases is recommended to highlight importance of the environmental factors in spreading mosquito-borne diseases in Australia and PNG.

Explaining health inequalities in Australia: the contribution of income, wealth and employment.

Studies show widespread widening of socioeconomic and health inequalities. Comprehensive primary health care has a focus on equity and to enact this requires more data on drivers of the increase in inequities. Hence, we examined trends in the distribution of income, wealth, employment and health in Australia. We analysed data from the Public Health Information Development Unit and Australian Bureau of Statistics. Inequalities were assessed using rate ratios and the slope index of inequality. We found that the social gradient in health, income, wealth and labour force participation has steepened in Australia, and inequalities widened between the quintile living in the most disadvantaged areas and the quintile living in the least disadvantaged areas. Widening income, wealth and employment inequalities have been accompanied by increasing health inequalities, and have reinforced and amplified adverse health effects, leading to increased mortality inequality. Effective comprehensive primary health care needs to be informed by an understanding of structural factors driving economic and health inequities.

Locked-out: generational inequalities of housing tenure and housing type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to first explore whether Australia and the main metropolitan areas demonstrate significant differences in tenure and property type between generational groups. Second, whether the millennial generation is more likely to rent rather than own. Third, if such variation in tenure and property type by millennials is one of individual choice and lifestyle or the impact of housing market inefficiencies.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs a comparative research approach using secondary data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to consider housing tenure and type distributions across generations as well as through cross-city analysis.FindingsThe results show that home ownership is still the dominant tenure in Australia, but private rental is of increasing significance, becoming the tenure of choice for Millennials. Owner occupation is shown to remain and high and stable levels for older generations and while lower in percentage terms for Generation X; this generation exhibits the highest growth rate for ownership. Significant differences are shown in tenure patterns across Australia.Originality/valueThe significance of this paper is the focus on the analysis of generational differences in housing tenure and type, initially for Australia and subsequently by major metropolitan areas over three inter-census periods (2006, 2011 and 2016). It enhances the understanding of how policies favouring ageing in place can contradict other policies on housing affordability with specific impact on Millennials as different generations are respectively unequally locked-out and locked-in to housing wealth.

Hospitalization for Oral Health-Related Conditions of the Australian Ageing Population: Two Decades of Analysis.

The burden of oral health care increases among older people, with a profound challenge in utilising dental services in primary dental care settings. This study aimed to analyse two decades of nationwide hospital separation patterns due to oral health-related conditions among older people. Ageing population data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, including people aged 65 years and older. All principal diagnoses of oral health conditions (ICD-10-AM) were analysed in this study. The hospitalisation data included all separations of older people for the financial years 1998–1999 to 2018–2019. A total of 205,461 hospital separations were recorded for older people over a period of twenty-one years. More than 60% of these separations were collectively attributed to dental caries, disorders of teeth and supporting structures, diseases of the jaws, diseases of the pulp and periapical tissues. However, the average rate of separations per 10,000 people due to dental caries was the highest among the dental conditions (8.68). Furthermore, the remaining oral health-related conditions predict an annual percentage increase in the rate that would compromise their oral health quality of life. Dental caries and its sequela seem to be the leading cause for oral health-related hospital admissions in Australia for people aged 65 and older. This could be an indicator of the inadequacy of disease management in the primary dental care setting.

Incidence, prevalence and mortality of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Australia.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most common forms of interstitial lung diseases. While studies have been conducted in other countries to determine the epidemiological burden of IPF, there is limited information in Australia. Our study aimed to address this gap and generate the first estimates for the mortality, incidence and prevalence of IPF in Australia. Estimates were generated by utilizing the novel Mortality Incidence Analysis Model (MIAMOD) method and software based on the illness-death model. Data inputs included population estimates and mortality data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the period 1997-2015 and participant data from the Australian IPF Registry (AIPFR). Projections were estimated for a 10-year period up to 2025. Overall crude and age-standardized estimates for mortality were 5.9 and 6.3 per 100,000 population; incidence, 10.4 and 11.2 per 100,000 population; and prevalence, 32.6 and 35.1 per 100,000 population. Crude and age-standardized mortality, incidence and prevalence increased over the study period; however, they demonstrated a decreasing trend over the projected period. Persons older than 70 years constituted 9% of the population; however, they accounted for approximately 82%-83% of all deaths, incident and prevalent cases. All estimates were higher in males than in females. Our study provides the first estimates for incidence, prevalence and mortality of IPF in Australia. By reporting national estimates for IPF, our study addresses an information gap important for policy, planning and to help optimize the allocation of resources for the management of patients with IPF.

Influence of socioeconomic status on the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and clinical recovery

BackgroundThe relevance of socioeconomic status (SES) on the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) and discharge functional outcomes following treatment is not clear. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on data retrieved from the Nationwide Hospital Morbidity Database for all aSAH cases in Australia between 2012 and 2018. Information on patient characteristics, procedures performed, discharge disposition and SES were extracted. SES data was derived from classifications by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Putative risk factors were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictor of unfavourable discharge outcomes (defined as death or dependency). ResultsA total of 3,591 low SES patients (49.8%) were identified in our study cohort. Average crude incidence of aSAH was persistently higher among the SES disadvantaged (6.6 cases per 100,000 person-years, 95% CI 6.3 – 6.8), compared to the SES advantaged group (4.1 cases per 100,000 person-years, 95% CI 4.0–4.2) (p < 0.0001). Patients in the Low SES group were more likely to be active smokers, have type 2 diabetes mellitus, or live in non-metropolitan residence, and have overall worse discharge functional outcomes (27.7% versus 24.5%, p = 0.0015). Adjusting for well-established risk factors such as older age, and intracranial bleed (ICH and/or IVH), disadvantaged SES remained a significant predictor of poor discharge outcome following aSAH (p = 0.0003). ConclusionaSAH occurs more frequently among low SES communities, and once ruptured, there is a greater risk of poor recovery..

The burden of end-stage osteoarthritis in Australia: a population-based study on the incidence of total knee replacement attributable to overweight/obesity

To determine the risk of total knee replacement (TKR) for primary osteoarthritis (OA) associated with overweight/obesity in the Australian population. This population-based study analyzed 191,723 cases of TKR collected by the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Registry and population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The time-trend change in incidence of TKR relating to BMI was assessed between 2015 and 2018. The influence of obesity on the incidence of TKR in different age and gender groups was determined. The population attributable fraction (PAF) was then calculated to estimate the effect of obesity reduction on TKR incidence. The greatest increase in incidence of TKR was seen in patients from obese class III. The incidence rate ratio for having a TKR for obesity class III was 28.683at those aged 18-54 years but was 2.029at those aged >75 years. Females in obesity class III were 1.7 times more likely to undergo TKR compared to similarly classified males. The PAFs of TKR associated with overweight or obesity was 35%, estimating 14,287 cases of TKR attributable to obesity in 2018. The proportion of TKRs could be reduced by 20% if overweight and obese population move down one category. Obesity has resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of TKR in the youngest population in Australia. The impact of obesity is greatest in the young and the female population. Effective strategies to reduce the national obese population could potentially reduce 35% of the TKR, with over 10,000 cases being avoided.

Cultural diversity in the Australian early childhood education workforce: What do we know, what don’t we know and why is it important?

This paper reviews current literature and research relevant to the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce in Australia, including data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Australia is a highly multicultural society, with one out of every three people born overseas. Anecdotally, the Australian early childhood sector is reported to have a highly multicultural workforce. Yet there is a noticeable lack of data and research concerning cultural diversity in the Australian ECE workforce. This paper reports on the data from the ABS-Census of Population and Housing (ABS-Census), the small body of literature on the CALD ECE workforce and literature pertaining to CALD in other Australian workforces to argue that more data and research is needed. Developing a richer understanding of the status, experience and contributions of CALD educators would enable the sector to recognise and support the potential benefits of such a workforce for children and families and social cohesion in Australia.

The need for timely official statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic as a driver for innovation

This paper discusses how Statistics Netherlands managed to respond quickly with a range of new outputs to the sudden increase in the need for statistical information following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes the innovation process already in place, as well as the innovations in response to the pandemic. This is followed by a discussion of what made speedy innovation and implementation possible, after which lessons are drawn in order to maintain the ability to react quickly to future policy questions. One important success factor is the combination of new data sources with already existing statistics for calibration. The developments at Statistics Netherlands can be seen as a case study. Several other NSIs also accelerated innovation after the outbreak of the pandemic, such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the British Office for National Statistics.

Heatwave-related morbidity in Australia: Effect modification by Individual and Area-level factors

Abstract Background Heatwaves are associated with increases in mortality, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions. However, evidence regarding heatwave impacts on general practice (GP) visits is limited. The objectives of this study were to quantify the impact of heatwaves on GP visits in Australia and identify the individual and area-level factors that modify the heatwave-GP visits association. Methods Warm-season (October-March) GP visits data (2011-2016) were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Using a case-crossover approach we assessed the effect of heatwaves (defined using Excess Heat Factor) on GP visits at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) spatial unit (reflecting suburbs), as well as effect modification by individual and area-level factors. Results are reported as percent increase in GP visits during severe/extreme heatwaves compared with non-heatwaves. Results Nationally, GP visits increased by 4% (95%CI: 3-4%) during severe/extreme heatwaves. But impacts varied with the highest effect observed in Canberra (16.4%; 95%CI:15.4-17.4%), Adelaide (14.9%; 95%CI: 14.3-15.4%), and regional Victoria (13.5%; 95%CI: 13-14%). A gradient of impact was found within locations, for example, vulnerable SA2s nationally were featured by a higher proportion of populations with no air-conditioning, low income, limited English proficiency, living alone, and a prevalence of diabetes and circulatory diseases. Individual-level factors included those: living alone, with limited English proficiency, with diabetes, hypertension and using anti-coagulants and diuretic medications. Conclusions Heatwaves increase GP visits in Australia, with impacts varied between locations and populations, affecting certain areas and individuals disproportionately. Our results using an individual and area-level linked data suggest that local area and individual vulnerabilities should be incorporated when developing place-based interventions combating heatwave-health impacts. Key messages Heatwaves increase GP visits in Australia, but with spatial variability across and within locations. Individual and area-level factors contribute to heatwave-vulnerability.

Typhoid fever in travellers: estimating the risk of acquisition by country.

BackgroundTyphoid fever is a notifiable disease within Australia. Although studies in endemic regions give an indication of acquisition risk, many countries lack reliable data, and little is known of the absolute or relative risk in Australian travellers. By combining notified case data with travel statistics provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the aim of this study was to give an indication of risk for typhoid acquisition among Australian travellers.MethodsAustralian typhoid notifications between 1st January 2010 and 30th June 2017 were grouped by country of acquisition and age category (<15 or ≥15 years). Australian travel data were used to inform time at risk and incidence rate of Australian typhoid notifications pertaining to country and region of acquisition. Salmonella Paratyphi infections, though notifiable, were excluded as the focus was vaccine preventable illness. Data from New South Wales and Victoria were used to examine the incidence in those acquiring infection in their country of birth (COB) against travellers who did not.ResultsNine hundred twenty-three cases of typhoid were notified over the period of review, 96% of which were acquired overseas. The greatest determinant of risk was travel destination, with countries in south Asia associated with highest crude incidence rate (252 per 100 000 person-years), particularly Bangladesh. Younger age and immigrants returning to their COB were generally associated with higher risk of acquisition.ConclusionsThe risk of typhoid fever in Australian travellers to endemic regions is considerable. Immigrants returning to their COB appear to be at higher risk and it is likely that this risk extends to their traveling dependents. These findings help clinicians and public health officials to plan and advise pre-travel vaccination strategies with at-risk individuals and groups. Additional sociodemographic data collection with Australian typhoid notifications would enhance the surveillance of differing international travel risk groups leaving Australia.

Migrant residential concentrations and socio-economic disadvantage in two Australian gateway cities

This article explores the relationship of residential concentrations of non-Anglophone migrants with socio-economic disadvantage at the suburb (SA2) level. We look at two main Australian gateway cities, Sydney and Melbourne. We use the ‘person-counts’ of the latest available (2016) Australian Census data, matching them with the socio-economic data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics ‘socio-economic indexes for areas’ (SEIFA). Our analysis shows that despite decades of careful filtering of migrants for skills and language, socio-economic disadvantage in migrant concentrations persists in the main gateway cities, being more pronounced in Melbourne than in Sydney. The article employs an original quantitative analysis in order to advance the understanding of relationship between ethnicity, socio-economic position and residential location. We seek to contribute to the ongoing scholarly and policy debate about migrant concentration areas in large immigrant-receiving cities.

Are Tourism and Energy Consumption Linked? Evidence from Australia

Tourism contributes to the growth of an economy via earning foreign currencies and employment opportunities. However, tourism also contributes to greater energy consumption because of various tourist activities such as hotel accommodations and transportation. This study investigates the long-term cointegrating relationship between international tourist arrivals and primary energy consumption in Australia. In addition, the roles of gross domestic product, gross fixed capital formation, financial development, and total population on energy consumption are also examined. The study covered the last four decades (1976–2018) using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, BP Statistical Review, and the World Development Indicators. Augmented Dickey-Fuller, Phillips-Perron, Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound tests, Johansen and Juselius, Bayer-Hanck cointegration test, and several key diagnostic tests have been conducted to assess the relationship. The estimated results indicate that tourist arrivals, gross domestic product, and financial development have a significant long-run cointegrating relationship with energy consumption. Policy measures are suggested based on the findings of this study.

Epidemiology of acute pancreatitis in Australia from 2007-2019.

There is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) in Australia. Data on hospital admissions for a principal diagnosis of AP were obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; population data were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Age-adjusted, and age and sex-specific rates for all subtypes of AP were compared. There were 208 390 admissions for a principal diagnosis of AP in Australia between 2006/07 and 2018/19, corresponding to an average admission rate of 46.03/105 /year. Over the study, there was a 38.7% increase in the age-adjusted rate of AP admissions [37.56 to 52.09/105 /year (P< 0.00001)], corresponding to an average increase of 3.0%/year. Unspecified AP comprised approximately 50% of admissions in each year. An increase in admission rates was observed for all categories of AP. Biliary AP admission rates increased from 8.28 to 13.90 /105 /year (P< 0.00001), increasing in both sexes and all age groups. Alcohol associated AP admissions increased from 8.23 to 9.98/105 /year (P< 0.00001), a phenomenon which was seen in older people and in females particularly, but there was a reduction alcohol related AP admission rates in the 20-29-year age group. AP admission rates increased significantly over the period 2006/07 to 2018/19 in both male and female populations, in most subtypes of AP, particularly 'unspecified AP', and among all age groups.

Not in employment, education or training (NEET); more than a youth policy issue.

IntroductionAustralians who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) and receive income support span a wide spectrum of working ages. Australian research has concentrated on NEETs aged 15–29 years, in line with international standards. This paper investigates extending the NEET concept to include all working age persons 15–64 years and the value added to welfare policy through analysis of a new linked dataset.MethodsAn observational study design was implemented with individuals aged 15-64 years recorded as receiving Department of Social Services (DSS) income support payments from September 2011 being linked with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census data from August 2011 to create a linked dataset for analysis. Descriptive analyses were undertaken of NEET status by Census socio-demographic characteristics, and we modelled the adjusted likelihood of NEET status by Census demographics.ResultsSome 1.37 million or 45.2% of linked DSS payment recipients qualified as NEET. Of NEETs, more than twice as many were female, nearly half were aged 45–64 years, and under 1-in-5 were aged 15–29 years. Multivariate analyses showed that NEETs were more likely to be older, have low educational attainment, have a disability, and to be Indigenous.ConclusionsYoung NEETs aged 15–29 years represented less than 20% of linked DSS payment recipients classified as NEET, suggesting that standard NEETs reporting neglects information on around 80% of the working age NEET population in Australia. Combined with other demographic insights, these results have implications for welfare policy, and indicate a wider range of demographics should be considered under the NEET classification. This may also have implications for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reporting.