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Person (address)—Australian postcode (Postcode datafile), code NNN[N]

Identifying and definitional attributes

Metadata item type:Help on this termData Element
Short name:Help on this termPostcode - Australian
Synonymous names:Help on this termPostcode - Australian
METEOR identifier:Help on this term270515
Registration status:Help on this term
  • Community Services (retired), Superseded 25/08/2005
  • Health, Superseded 04/05/2005
Data Element Concept:Person (address)—Australian postcode

Value domain attributes

Representational attributes

Classification scheme:Postcode datafile
Representation class:Help on this termCode
Data type:Help on this termNumber
Format:Help on this termNNN[N]
Maximum character length:Help on this term4

Collection and usage attributes

Guide for use:Help on this termThe postcode book is updated more than once annually as postcodes are a dynamic entity and are constantly changing.
Collection methods:Help on this term

Leave Postcode - Australian blank for:

  • Any overseas address
  • Unknown address
  • No fixed address.
Comments:Help on this term

Postcode may be used in the analysis of data on a geographical basis, which involves a conversion from postcodes to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) postal areas. This conversion results in some inaccuracy of information. However, in some data sets postcode is the only geographic identifier, therefore the use of other more accurate indicators (e.g. Statistical Local Area (SLA)) is not always possible.

When dealing with aggregate data, postal areas, converted from postcodes, can be mapped to Australian Standard Geographical Classification codes using an ABS concordance, for example to determine SLAs. It should be noted that such concordances should not be used to determine the SLA of any individual's postcode. Where individual street addresses are available, these can be mapped to ASGC codes (e.g. SLAs) using the ABS National Localities Index (NLI).

Data element attributes

Collection and usage attributes

Collection methods:Help on this termMay be collected as part of Address line or separately. Postal addresses may be different from where a person actually resides, or a service is actually located.

Source and reference attributes

Submitting organisation:Help on this term

Standards Australia

National Health Data Committee

National Community Services Data Committee

Origin:Help on this termStandards Australia 2002. Australian Standard AS5017-2002 Health Care Client Identification. Sydney: Standards Australia.
Reference documents:Help on this termRefer to ABS Catalogue No. 1252.0 for full details of the NLI.

Relational attributes

Related metadata references:Help on this term
Supersedes PDFPostcode - Australian, version 3, DE, Int. NCSDD & NHDD, NCSIMG & NHIMG, Superseded 01/03/2005.pdf (18.3 KB) No registration status
Has been superseded by Person (address)—Australian postcode, code (Postcode datafile) {NNNN}
  • Community Services (retired), Superseded 06/02/2012
  • Early Childhood, Superseded 09/03/2012
  • Health, Superseded 07/12/2011
  • Homelessness, Superseded 30/05/2013
  • Housing assistance, Superseded 30/05/2013
Implementation in Data Set Specifications:Help on this term
All attributes +

Health care client identificationHealth, Superseded 04/05/2005

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