Finding statistics

About statistics  

Statistics is a branch of mathematics that involves collecting, analysing, interpreting and presenting data. 

Statistics provide researchers with tools to analyse and interpret data, quantify relationships, and make informed conclusions based on evidence. 

Statistical data is often presented in the form of tables, charts, graphs or percentages.

Searching for statistics

Statistical data can be found on a huge variety of subjects, including the economy, the environment, education, employment, government, health, international trade, manufacturing and population.

To find statistics in your field of research:

• use your university credentials to access specialised and academic statistical databases via the Library
• use a search engine, such as Google, to locate statistics by topic (e.g. use the terms  “statistics employment Australia” to find employment statistics in Australia)
• search the websites of organisations, including government websites, for publicly available statistics
• try open access and public sources, such as ArXiv and Googles public data directory

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

Overview of the ABS Census and products

Held every 5 years, the ABS Census of Housing and Population is a compulsory survey that counts close to 10 million households and approximately 24 million people. The most recent Census was conducted on 10 August 2021. This was Australia’s eighteenth national Census, adding to over 100 years of national Census collection in Australia. The next Australian Census will be conducted in August 2026. 

Census questions range from marriage status, family size and occupation, to languages spoken, country of birth and ancestry. The data is based on geography and used to inform government policies and planning.

Most Census data is free of charge from the ABS Website and there are a range of products and services available to access the data you need. 

QuickStats and Community Profiles

QuickStats provide summary Census data available for areas at a small, state, territory and national level. Data is based on place of usual residence (i.e. where people usually live, rather than where they were counted on Census Night) and grouped by:

• persons – age, education, language, ancestry, religion and employment of people in the selected area.
• families – family composition, single parent families and family income in the selected area.
• dwellings – structure and type of dwellings, number of bedrooms, household income, mortgage and rent payments and number of registered vehicles in the selected area.

Using Quickstats search, you can search by using the map and:

• by location, region name, postcode or geographical code in ‘Search by area name’.
• by different geographical types in ‘Search by geography’, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People population statistics by geographical area.
• by street address in ‘Search by address’ to find the geographical area for that address.
• by country of birth in ‘Search by country of birth’. 

Community Profiles provide detailed statistics for the geographic area. A geographic area search via QuickStats generates downloadable Excel data tables for demographic, household and dwelling characteristics for the selected area.

Microdata (CURFS) and TableBuilder

Microdata consists of Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs) from key ABS surveys. The unit level for a CURF may be a household, income unit or family. CURF microdata is the most detailed level of ABS statistical data available. CURF data is freely available to University of Sydney researchers under agreement between the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Universities Chancellors Committee (UCC). You need to register to download CURF data.

TableBuilder is a statistical data analysis tool that generates tables, charts and graphs from ABS Census data. TableBuilder allows you to create tables, maps and graphs using a range of ABS Census topics, microdata and geographic areas and cross-tabulation between selected topic areas and classifications. Tables can be exported to either CSV or Excel format. Graphs and maps as PDF or PNG format. Register for full access to TableBuilder Pro and Basic with your University email address and use the guides to teach yourself how to generate tables, graphs and maps using the ABS Census statistics.

ABS Microdata DataLab is a data analysis solution for users who require interactive, real time, complex analysis of microdata.

Note the following University of Sydney access requirements for DataLab:

Higher Degree by Research students:

• The student must use a secure University of Sydney supplied computer. The student’s department is responsible for providing access to a computer that meets ICT security requirements.
• The student’s supervisor must also have attended ABS DataLab training prior to the student being approved for access to DataLab.
• The student’s supervisor must support their access to ABS DataLab and be listed on the ABS application.
• The student must consult with University’s Ethics Office prior to applying for access to DataLab to clarify if human ethics approval is needed in order to conduct research using the intended data. If human ethics approval is needed, an ethics application must be submitted prior to applying for access to DataLab.

Affiliate staff:

• The affiliate staff member must use a secure University of Sydney supplied computer. The affiliate staff member’s affiliated department is responsible for providing access to a computer that meets ICT security requirements.
• The affiliate staff member must be applying for access to ABS DataLab for University research purposes, and on a project where a University of Sydney staff member is the lead.
• The affiliate staff member must have completed mandatory University of Sydney Cyber Security and Responsible Research Practice training modules.
• Prior to applying for access to DataLab, the affiliate should consult with University’s Ethics Office to clarify if human ethics approval is needed in order to conduct research using the intended data. If human ethics approval is needed, an ethics application must be submitted prior to applying for access to DataLab.