Person—area of usual residence, statistical area level 2 (SA2) code (ASGS Edition 3) N(9)

Identifying and definitional attributes

• Health, Standard 20/10/2021

Value domain attributes

Representational attributes

Collection and usage attributes

SA2 coding structure:

An SA2 is identifiable by a 9-digit fully hierarchical code. The SA2 identifier is a 4-digit code, assigned in alphabetical order within a Statistical area level 3 (SA3). An SA2 code is only unique within a state/territory if it is preceded by the state/territory identifier.

For example:

SA2s have generally been designed as the smallest unit for the release of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' non-Census of Population and Housing statistics. SA2s have a population of between 3,000 and 25,000 people with an average population size of approximately 10,000 people.

There are 2,473 SA2 regions covering the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps. These include 19 non-spatial SA2 special-purpose codes, comprising Migratory–Offshore–Shipping, No Usual Address codes for each State and Territory, and a new Outside Australia code.

Source and reference attributes

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2021. Statistical Area Level 2: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3. Canberra: ABS. Viewed 10 August 2021. www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/statistical-area-level-2

Data element attributes

Collection and usage attributes

The geographical location is reported using an eleven digit numerical code to indicate the SA2 region within the reporting state or territory, as defined in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

When collecting the geographical location of a person's usual place of residence, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recommends that 'usual' be defined as: 'The place where the person has or intends to live for 6 months or more, or the place that the person regards as their main residence, or where the person has no other residence, the place they currently reside.' Apart from collecting a person's usual place of residence there is also a need in some collections to collect area of residence immediately prior to or after assistance is provided, or at some other point in time.

Geographical location is reported using SA2 to enable accurate aggregation of information to larger areas within the ASGS as well as detailed analysis at the SA2 level. The use of SA2 also allows analysis relating the data to information compiled by the ABS on the demographic and other characteristics of the population of each SA2. Analyses facilitated by the inclusion of SA2 information include:

• comparison of the use of services by persons residing in different geographical areas;
• characterisation of catchment areas and populations for establishments for planning purposes; and
• documentation of the provision of services to residents of states or territories other than the state or territory of the provider.

Source and reference attributes

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2021. Statistical Area Level 2: Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3. Canberra: ABS. Viewed 10 August 2021. www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas/statistical-area-level-2

Relational attributes