Key changes made to Working Time Arrangements (WTA) Survey include:
- REVISION OF POPULATION BENCHMARKS
The Labour Force Survey estimates, and estimates from the supplementary surveys, are calculated in such a way as to sum to independent estimates of the civilian population aged 15 years and over (population benchmarks). These population benchmarks are based on Estimated Resident Population (ERP) data. Generally, revisions are made to population benchmarks for the LFS following the final rebasing of population estimates to the latest five yearly Census of Population and Housing, or when the need arises.
From February 2009 Labour Force Survey estimates have been compiled during population benchmarks based on the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Revisions were applied to the LFS population benchmarks in July 2010 and November 2012 issues to take into account the latest available population estimates. The latest revision undertaken in December 2012 is not reflected in the estimates presented in this issue.
Changes to the LFS population benchmarks impact primarily on the magnitude of the Labour Force Survey estimates (i.e. employment and unemployment) that are directly related to the underlying size of the population. For more details on population benchmarks, see the Explanatory Notes in Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) and for details about the revisions made, see the article in the November 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) and the article in the September 2010 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0).
- CHANGES IN THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY
From November 2009 the WTA was conducted in both urban and rural areas in all states and territories, but excluded people living in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in very remote parts of Australia.
- In 2012:
- The data item 'Whether usually worked shift work and hours worked in most recent shift' was renamed to 'Whether usually worked shift work and hours usually worked in a shift' following a change to the survey question wording in November 2012. The question now collects data on hours worked in a usual shift rather than the most recent shift. Users need to exercise caution when comparing estimates from 2012 with previous years data.
- The data item 'Whether usually worked the majority of hours between 7pm and 7am in all jobs' was not collected in November 2009. The data item was reinstated in 2012. In 2006 data was collected of employees about whether they usually worked any hours between 7pm and 7am in all jobs, whereas in November 2012, employees were asked whether they usually worked the majority of hours between 7pm and 7am in all jobs. This change will effect the comparability with data from 2006. Users need to exercise caution when comparing estimates from 2012 with data from 2006.
- In 2009:
- An additional data item has been presented in the publication. This item is 'Whether usually worked shift work and type of shift usually worked'.
- The data items, 'Whether usually worked any hours between 7pm and 7am in all jobs' and 'Whether usually worked extra hours or overtime' presented in the 2006 publication are not available in 2009 as this information was not collected in November 2009.
- The data item, 'Whether had a formal system of working flexible hours' presented in the 2006 publication has been replaced with 'Whether had an agreement with employer to work flexible hours' in 2009.
- In 2006:
- The Working Arrangements Survey was redeveloped and renamed the Working Time Arrangements Survey.
- Information for the data item, 'Whether compensated for extra hours or overtime worked' presented in the 2006 publication was collected for employees who usually worked unpaid extra hours or overtime. This has been replaced with the data item, 'Whether usually worked extra hours or overtime and how compensated for overtime worked'. Information for this item was collected from employees who usually worked any extra hours or overtime, regardless of whether it was paid or unpaid.
- Additionally in 2006, only employees who did not usually work the same number of hours of work each week received questions about whether they were guaranteed a minimum number of hours of work each week. In 2009, all employees were asked whether they were guaranteed a minimum number of hours of work each week.
- In 2003:
- People who were away from work for four weeks or more were asked if they worked shift work in the last four weeks. This group has been shown separately in the category 'Away from work for the last four weeks'.
- Those people who usually work 35 hours or more were not asked if they work in a job-share arrangement from November 2003. This group was shown separately in the category 'Does not usually work part-time'.
- From the November 2003 survey, data on hours worked in main job are used to derive full-time or part-time status of employees in main job.
- In 2000:
- The survey terms 'Permanent' and 'Casual' were replaced to more accurately reflect what is collected in the survey. The term 'Permanent' was replaced with 'With leave entitlements', and 'Casual' has been replaced with 'Without leave entitlements'.
- In 1995:
- Exclusion of employees attending school from August 1995.
This page last updated 2 May 2013