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Data Element Detail

Occupation of person
Identifying and Definitional Attributes
QH 040812 v2
Data Element
Data Element
Current
02-Sep-2004		Superseded
20-Dec-2011
Standard
01-Jul-2004
30-Jun-2011
The occupation of a person describes the job in which the person is principally engaged. A job in any given establishment is a set of tasks designed to be performed by one individual in return for a wage or salary. An occupation is a set of jobs with similar sets of tasks. For persons with more than one job, the main job is the one in which the person works the most hours.
This data element may be useful in gaining an understanding of a clients situation and needs. For example, the occupation of a person with a disability may be directly relevant to the type of aids that they require.
Occupation of person
Representational Attributes
Numeric
Code
N(2)[N(2)-N(2)]
2
7
Permissible Values

Permissible_values

-
Supplementary Values

Supplemenary_values

-
Collection and Usage Attributes
This data element can be used to code the main occupation of persons involved in an event. Caution is advised in its use with regard to service providers as their activity as a service provider may not be their main occupation.
This data element should only be collected from people whose Labour force status is employed.
Occupation is too complex and diverse an issue to fit neatly into any useable small group of categories. Therefore the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recommend that this data element be collected by using the following two open-ended questions:
Q1. In the main job held last week (or other recent reference period), what was your/the person's occupation?
Q2. What are the main tasks that you/the person usually perform(s) in that occupation? The information gained from these two questions can then be used to select an appropriate code from the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations at any of the available levels (see Comments field below). Accurate data are best achieved using computer assisted coding. A Computer Assisted Coding system is available from the ABS to assist in coding occupational data to Australian Standard Classification of Occupations codes.
Data coded at the 4 and 6 digit level will provide more detailed information than that collected at the higher levels and may be more useful. However, the level at which data are coded and reported will depend on the purpose of collecting this information.
If only one question is asked, question one should be used. The use of question one only, however, sometimes elicits responses which do not provide a clear occupation title and specification of tasks performed. As a result accurate coding at unit group or occupation level may not be possible.
While agencies are encouraged to use the recommended question described above, it is acknowledged that this is not always possible in practice. For example, where the data collection is a by-product of the provision of a health or community service, the information may be ascertained using different means. However, due to the complexities of the data element 'Main occupation of person', this will result in inaccurate information. The recommended question should be used wherever possible.
The structure of the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations has five levels: 9 Major groups 1-digit codes 35 Sub-major groups 2-digit codes 81 Minor groups 3-digit codes 340 Unit groups 4-digit codes 986 Occupations 6-digit codes For example: Level Code Title Major group 2 Professionals Sub-major group 24 Education Professionals Minor group 241 School Teachers Unit group 2414 Special Education Teachers Occupation 2414-13 Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
Relational Attributes
Related Metadata References

Related Metadata References_IR

  • 1 - 2
ViewRelationshipMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifier & VersionApproval Status
Has been superseded byData ElementData ElementPerson-occupation (ANZSCO 2009)QH 040812 Version 3Superseded
Relates toData ElementData ElementOccupation of personQH 040812 Version 1Superseded
Implementation in Metadata Sets

Implemented

  • 1 - 1
ViewMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifer & VersionObligationApproval StatusEffective FromEffective To
Information AssetData CollectionQueensland Cancer Registry (QCR) Data CollectionQH 020002 Version 1Superseded01-Jul-199830-Jun-2011
Source and Reference Attributes
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
National Health Data Dictionary
Job; Occupation;