The Census aims to accurately measure the number of people in Australia on Census night wherever they are, from Australia’s research hubs in Antarctica to remote Indigenous communities in northern Australia.

The ABS said that next year’s Census remains the most comprehensive way of providing a snapshot of Australia, the country’s key characteristics and the population concentration.

“The Census helps define who we are and what your community looks like now and into the future. Census data supports planning, decision-making and funding at all levels of government, and is behind the services and facilities you use in your community every day,” the ABS elaborated.

The first results from the 2011 Census will be made public a year after in June 2012.

The majority of this growth (66%), was due to net overseas migration, with the remainder (34%) due to natural increase (the excess of births over deaths).

The total number of births registered for the year ending 30 September 2009 was 296,300, 0.3% fewer than the previous year. The total number of deaths registered over the same period was 141,800, 0.3% more than the previous year.

Preliminary figures show that net overseas migration for the September quarter 2009 (72,300 people) was 1,600 people lower than for the September quarter 2008 (73,800).

For the year ended September 2009, net overseas migration was 297,400 people, 3.1% or 9,000 people higher than the previous year.

On a regional basis, Western Australia registered the highest increase (2.9%) followed by Queensland (2.7%), Northern Territory (2.3%) and Victoria (2.2%).

New South Wales had an increase of only 1.7%, lower than Australian Capital Territory’s 1.9%.

South Australia and Tasmania registered an increase of 1.3% and 1.0%, respectively.

Innovative activity which increased by 22% over the previous year undertaken by Australian businesses included the development or introduction of new or significantly improved goods, services, processes or methods.

The wholesale trade industry, according to the ABS survey, reported the highest innovative activity. Approximately six businesses in ten (59%) reported being innovative-active.

The survey also found that large businesses were almost twice as likely to be innovative than small businesses (71% compared to 37%).

The ABS also reported that over one-third (36%) of businesses have a web presence. Large businesses (96%) were more than three times as likely to have a web presence than small businesses (27%).

Broadband continued to dominate internet access connection with 94% of businesses with internet access reporting to have a broadband connection.

Over half of people aged 15 years and over (56%) considered their overall health to be very good or excellent, and 29% stated that their health was good. In contrast, 15% of people aged 15 years or more said their health was fair/poor.

These rates are similar to 2004-05 at 56%, 28% and 16% respectively.

The proportion of people reporting fair or poor health increased with age, from 7% of those aged 15-24 years to 32% of those aged 65 years and over.

Although most people reported they were in good health or better, 77% of the total population reported that they had one or more current long term medical conditions.

The most commonly reported long term conditions were problems with eyesight, 52% of the population, including long and short sightedness (26% and 23% respectively), arthritis (15%), asthma (10%), hayfever and allergic rhinitis (15%) and hypertensive disease (9%). Other commonly reported conditions were, back and disc disorders (14%) and deafness (10%).

Children and young adults

The most commonly reported conditions among children and young adults were respiratory conditions (17% of children under 15 years and 28% of persons aged 15-24 years), with asthma being the most prevalent for children aged under 15 (10%) and hayfever and allergic rhinitis for those aged 15-24 (17%).

Older people

While respiratory conditions were also common among people aged 65 years and over (29%), other conditions were more prevalent in this age group. Sight conditions, arthritis, hypertension and hearing loss were the most common long term conditions among those aged 65 years and over.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

During the last few days, we emailed our friends and members of this site the following questions. These were also posted last Monday on this site.

1. Your age group?
(a) 16 – 25
(b) 26 – 35
(c) 36 – 45
(d) 46 and over

2. How long have you lived in Australia?

3. How do you spend Australia Day?

4. What does Australia Day mean to you and other Australians?

Although the survey is very limited in scope, still we got a fair bit of ideas of how our friends, Filipino Australians, celebrate Australia Day and what the day means to them.

As expected, the responses are varied ~ depending on the respondents age group as well as other factors like family background and involvement in community activities.

Below are the first 10 responses we received.

To all those who participated, thank you.

Lolita Farmer OAM – aged 46 and over // 36 years // With family and friends at home before attending Australia Day celebrations // Australia Day means how fortunate I am and we migrants to live in Australia a multicultural society, to live in harmony and peace, enjoy freedom and at the same time offer our skills, talents,services and participate in the democratic processes for the future of all Australians and the world.

Valerie Y – aged 16 – 25 // 10 years // Eating lamb chops and having a cold one… like Sam Kekovich – serious answer: with family at a park or mall // Celebrating years of cultural diversity and freedom

Lynn – aged 26 -35 // 24 years // With family // Family picnic.

Jovie Bargwanna – aged 46 and over // 28 years // Our cultural club, Orange Filipino Australian Cultural Club, has been invited to perform some Filipino dances at the Park for Australia Day celebration // I am proud to be part of this lucky country.

Ana D – aged 36 – 45 // 37 years // with family in a bowling Tournament heheh or visit the city or have a barbeque at family’s place // an extra day off in the year hehehe, time off with family & friends, being outdoor enjoying the summer weather with activities (beach, barbeque etc)

LeoC3 – aged 26 – 35 // 21 years // Usually with the family // It’s a great time to spend outdoors with the family, ie, picnic, beach, bbq, etc.

Jhong M – aged 26 – 35 // 18 years // stay home, too risky driving around // Double celebration for me. I also arrived in Australia with Mum and Dad one Australia Day holiday.

Rosemarie C – aged 36 – 45 // 26 years // With family // To me, aside from spending time with the family and catching up with friends like in other public holidays, Australia Day is a time to reflect on how fortunate we are for being able to live in peace with other people from other culture.

Norma – aged 46 and over // 11 years // Relax and chill out // It was the day I received my citizenship- a turning point to an unknown which I embraced and dared to undertake. I don’t have regrets; nostalgia has become a treasured luxury.

Name withheld – aged 26 – 35 // 21 years // bbq with the family or getting tanned and tanked at the beach // to me it means a long weekend to do what you want to do and optionally think about/appreciate australia’s history, foundation and culture.