National economic and social datasets and research Leanne Johnson Regional Research Leader, BITRE

Outline of presentation BITRE datasets How we use these datasets Data issues Themes from our research: Major cities

About BITRE Dedicated research unit within Department of Infrastructure –Regional research function added in 2002 What we do: –Undertake research projects and publish reports –Provide advice on research related issues –Build and maintain networks –Events Our work typically covers all Australian regions, from major cities to the most remote areas

BITRE small area datasets Industry Structure Database Education and Occupation Databases Social capital indicators database Taxable Income Database Income support payments database Household wealth database Cost of remoteness dataset Regional aviation database

BITRE small area datasets Industry Structure Database Education and Occupation Databases Taxable Income Database Income support payments database Household wealth database Cost of remoteness dataset Regional aviation database Social capital indicators database Census Admin data Small area estimation Surveys /

Industry Structure Database Detailed data on employment for 53 industries –SLAs –Working zones: based on commuting patterns 1991, 1996 and 2001 –Being updated to 2006 Available from

Largest sources of employment growth, 2001 to 2006 Working zoneLargest source of jobs growth2 nd largest source of jobs growth SydneyEducationCommunity services MelbourneGovernment administrationHealth services BrisbaneGovernment administrationBusiness services AdelaideCommunity servicesGovernment administration PerthGovernment administrationConstruction trade services HobartGovernment administrationCommunity services DarwinGovernment administrationEducation CanberraGovernment administrationHealth services AUSTRALIAGovernment administrationCommunity services

Largest sources of employment decline, 2001 to 2006 Working zoneIndustryJob loss SydneyMachinery & equipment manufacturing MelbourneTextile, clothing, footwear & leather manufacturing BrisbaneStorage AdelaideMachinery & equipment manufacturing PerthCommunication services HobartHealth services-357 DarwinFood retailing-221 CanberraBusiness services AUSTRALIAAgriculture

Regional economic growth Three measures –Real income per taxpayer –Number of taxable individuals –Aggregate real taxable income Taxable Income Database –LGAs: to –SLAs, working zones: to –Currently being updated

ARTI growth, Sydney to to to to

ARTI growth, Perth to to to to

Household wealth database Estimates of wealth (what a household owns) –major components: superannuation, owner occupied housing, mortgages, shares, business assets – –SLAs, LGAs, working zones Relationship between regional income & wealth

Average household wealth, Melbourne

Wealth and income, Melbourne

Social capital Identified six social capital profiles for Australians Cluster 2: Lonely, limited support, weak family & community bonds Who are they? 11% of Australians More likely to be: male, 35-44, renters, unemployed, employed Less likely to be: 55+, owners, degree holders, not in labour force Where are they? Concentrated in NT, QLD & cities of to Capital cities: SW Perth, Northern Adelaide, Blacktown, Logan

How we use this data Input into policy formulation National social and economic small area datasets Input into briefings Input into research publications Input into local decisions

Input into briefings For: Minister, Department, regions On: Specific region, Type of region, National Most useful datasets Industry structure Population Taxable income Unemployment Aim to identify key issues Statistical data only goes so far

Input into research publications Drivers of economic growth in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region A regional economy: a case study of Tasmania Investment trends in the Lower Murray Darling Basin Skill shortages Costs of remoteness

Data issues Nationally comparable data for regions Geography Spatial disaggregation Coverage Time Regularly updated Timely Historic time-series Access: confidentiality Gaps: economic data

Themes from our research: major cities Dominant role of capital cities –60 – 70% of population, income, employment –60 – 70% of growth –Urban sprawl –Congestion

Capital cities population growth, 2002 to 2007 Average annual growth rate (%) Contribution to national growth (%)

Themes from our research: major cities City economies Strong dependence on national economy More diverse  stability Significant differentiation in social & economic conditions within cities Same areas tend to emerge as disadvantaged Spatial disadvantage is very persistent over time Important role of housing

Low income households, Adelaide

Functions of cities Interconnections between cities & their hinterlands Major cities as attractors of Commuters from surrounding areas International migrants Young people Advanced health & education services Skilled labour: knowledge workers High order business and financial services Global capital Themes from our research: major cities

Overseas migration, 2001 to 2006Degree holders, 2006 Business services jobs, 2006Finance & insurance jobs, 2006

Where to from here? Major cities emerging as new priority for BITRE What issues require further research? Urban transport infrastructure Other? Opportunities for data sharing, collaboration etc