People - Individuals

Background to the Social Atlas attributes
Education and Training
Farm Structure and Family Characteristics
Sustainable Practice
Remoteness and other Community Indicators
Age and Experience
Farm Financial Characteristics
Identifying with Land Management Problems
Social and Institutional Contact
Further information

Background to the Social Atlas attributes

Many socio-economic factors are relevant to landholders' and farm families' ability and willingness to change to more sustainable land management practices. They include factors like age, educational levels, income and awareness of land degradation issues.

At the national level, the Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and farm surveys conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE), are particularly important sources of information about rural and regional Australia. The last Census was conducted in 1996 and this should be borne in mind in interpreting maps based on Census data. The Census collects data about the whole Australian population and therefore Census data are not subject to sampling errors. In some cases, comparisons have been made between 1991 and 1996 Census data to indicate trends.

A set of possible indicators of ability to change identified by Fenton et al. (2000) has been applied. Applying these indicators has involved identifying data sources for as many indicators as possible, and depicting relevant data in map form.

Many of the maps use Statistical Divisions (SDs) as the basis for presentation, but some maps use the much smaller Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). Statistical Divisions are intended to be relatively homogeneous areas within which there are identifiable social and economic links among populations. Statistical Local Areas consist of one or more Census Collection Districts and generally correspond with single Local Government Areas, parts of Local Government Areas and/or unincorporated areas.

The maps presented at the Statistical Division level present indicators derived from ABARE data that are obtained by sample rather than census and therefore subject to sampling error. For each of the indicators at Statistical Division level, an additional map is presented showing the size of the sampling error for each Statistical Division. For some Statistical Divisions the reported estimates are based on small samples and have high sampling errors and, therefore, should be interpreted with caution.

Much of Australia is characterised by low population density (nearly 70% of Australia). In areas of low population density the Statistical Divisions are geographically much larger but the populations are often still small and spread over a large area. This presents difficulties for adequate sampling using normal approaches. Data for these Statistical Divisions need to be treated with caution as there are very few data points spread over large geographies. The Northern Territory is represented as one Statistical Division. While ABARE sampling rates have been increased for the Northern Territory the number of properties in the sample is still small and thus the sampling estimates are unlikely to adequately represent the diversity of the Statistical Division. Other Statistical Divisions (particularly in northern Australia) are characterised by a low density pastoral zone and, sometimes, a more densely settled coastal fringe which presents difficulties for generalising sample estimates at the Statistical Division level. For example, the Central Statistical Division of WA (which includes Shark Bay) is a mix of predominantly low population density rangeland and a two coastal Statistical Local Areas where 1996 farmer/farm manager populations were relatively larger.

Age and Experience

These data present the median age (years) of farmers and farm managers on a Statistical Local Area basis for the period of 1991-1996 using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census. These data show that the median age of farmers and farm managers increased from 46 to 48 years between 1991 and 1996, whereas over the same period the average age of the metropolitan population increased by only one year.

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Education and Training

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These data presented on a Statistical Local Area basis show the proportion of farmers that stated they have formal educational in the managers for the period of 1991-1996 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census. Typically, fewer than 10% of farmers had basic vocational educational qualifications at the time of the 1996 census.

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These data presented on a Statistical Local Area basis show the proportion of farmers that stated they have basic vocational training for the period of 1991-1996 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census. Farmers and property managers in Australia generally have low levels of formal education compared to many other occupational groups.

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These data presented on a Statistical Local Area basis show the proportion of farmers that stated they have skilled vocational training for the period of 1991-1996 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census. Skilled vocational qualifications are defined as having completed a course lasting two to four years and typically involve on-the-job training for a specific vocation, trade or craft that requires a high degree of skill.

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These data presented on a Statistical Local Area basis show the proportion of farmers that stated they have higher educational qualifications for the period of 1991-1996 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census. Educational levels are important to farm profitability and uptake of new land management practices.

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These data presented on a Statistical Division basis show the proportion of farmers that stated they undertaken farm management training during the period 1996-97 to 1998-99. Continuing education throughout life is linked to farm profitability, and one study found that farm incomes tend to be higher as farmer participation in training increases. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

Farm Financial Characteristics

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These maps, presented on a Statistical Division basis, show the three-year average (1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-99) for total farm family income ($ per farm per year). This includes income from all sources (both on-farm and off-farm), not only farming returns. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

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This map presented on a Statistical Division shows the median annual farm family cash income ($ per farm per year) at the time of the 1996 census. Farm family income includes income from all sources earned by all members of the family living on-farm, including government social service and exceptional circumstances payments. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows the three-year average (1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99) for off-farm income ($ per farm per year) earned by farm families - including income from off-farm wages and salaries, other businesses, investments and government assistance payments. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows regional profit at full equity ($ per farm business per year). This is defined as farm business profit, plus rent, interest and finance lease payments, less depreciation on leased items. It measures return on all resources used in the farm business. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics between 1996-97 and 1998-99.

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows the median total household expenditure ($ per farm per year) for 1998-1999. Median total household expenditure is related to annual family income (on- and off-farm) and reflects the disposable income of farm families. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows the median level of farm debt ($ per farm per year) for the period 1996/97 to 1997/99. Farm debt includes all liabilities related to the farm business which appear on balance sheets in financial accounts. This includes the farm mortgage, other term loans, business overdrafts, fully drawn advances, amounts owed to creditors and hire purchases related to the farm enterprise. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

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These maps, presented on a Statistical Division basis, show farm business equity as the value of owned (total) capital less farm business debt as measured at 30 June each year. The farm equity ratio is calculated as farm business equity as a percentage of owned (total) capital. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics between 1996-97 to 1998-99.

Farm Structure and Family Characteristics

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This map presented on a Statistical Local Area basis shows the number of families' with dependant children in 1996-97 using the Australian Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census.

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This map presented on a Statistical Local Area basis shows the estimated value ($ per farm business) of agricultural operations (EVAO) as a measure of the value of the annual production of a farm business, estimated from physical livestock and crop information provided in the Agricultural Census (ABS) and three-year weighted average prices derived from the Farm Financial Survey (ABARE).

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows three-year average farm size (hectares per farm business). Farm area has a marked effect on income from the farming operation, with larger farm businesses generally being more profitable than smaller ones. However, small farms (which tend to be in less remote areas) on average have much higher off-farm incomes.

Identifying with Land Management Problems

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These maps, presented on a Statistical Division basis, show the proportion of farmers that reported having various land and water resource issues present on their farm for 1998-99 as part of the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

Please note: These maps provide some insight into the awareness and perceptions of farmers on land and water related issues - these maps should not be interpreted as representing the actual geographic distribution or severity of the issue. However, there should be concurrence between the awareness and perception of natural resource issues where there is physical expression of them in the landscape.

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows the proportion of farmers that stated they have a property management plan. Developing a farm plan or property management plan could indicate that farmers or farm families are adopting an informed and professional approach to the farm business, and consider long-term planning. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics between 1996-97 to 1998-99.

Sustainable Practice

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows the proportion of farmers that stated they have undertaken Landcare related work. Percentages of farms carrying out Landcare-related work might be expected to be related to Landcare membership and reflect farmers' willingness to address land degradation problems. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics in 1998-99.

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This map, presented on a Statistical Division basis, shows the proportion of cropping farmers that indicated the range of cropping management practices. Data depicted relate only to cropping practices, not to other types of farming, and hence are relevant mainly to farmers in the wheat-sheep zone, not pastoral or intensive agriculture areas. These data were obtained from the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics in 1998-99.

Social and Institutional Contact

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These data, presented on a Statistical Division basis, provide estimates of involvement with Landcare using the Annual Farm Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics in 1998-99. The community Landcare movement, which began in Victoria in 1986, has been very successful and it is estimated that 37% of broadacre and dairy farms in Australia had a family member who belonged to a Landcare group in 1998-99.

Remoteness and other Community Indicators

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These data, presented on a Statistical Local Area basis, show the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) - a measure of remoteness from services. ARIA is calculated for each of 11,338 population centres using a weighted index of each centre's road distance to service centres in four categories (a different calculation method is used for off-shore islands to reflect water barriers). The data are summarised from the 1996-97 Housing and Population Census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

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These data, presented on a Statistical Local Area basis, shows the degree of rural advantage (SEIFA index). This is based on several census variables, takes all adults into account not only farmers, and covers all areas of rural Australia except centres with a population of 1,000 or more. The data are interpreted from the 1996-97 Housing and Population Census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

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These data presented on a Statistical Local Area basis shows the index of relative socio-economic disadvantage (SEIFA index). SEIFA is based on census data on population attributes such as income, educational attainment, employment and job skill levels - it covers all of Australia including larger population centres. The data are interpreted from the 1996-97 Housing and Population Census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Further information

* This report does not contain maps and needs to be read in conjunction with:

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