Find statistics from Australian censuses from 1788 to present
A number of publications of data from this census have been digitised on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website. We also hold many useful publications in print. See below for a list of resources. In most cases these publications will answer any questions that you have.
Very detailed data was produced from this census, and published on microfiche:
'small area data in a range of formats, based on both place of enumeration and on a usual resident basis, for the full range of geographic areas (from [Collection District] upwards) was produced (1500 fiche). Additional major releases included: indigenous summary tables (92 fiche), national and state cross-classified tables (2060 fiche) and census maps (202 fiche).' (source).
The Library holds a set of these microfiche at MF 171. The fiche are held in storage and must be pre-ordered for use.
The guide to finding the necessary fiche is Census 86 - microfiche: final edition (ABS catalogue number 2185.0), which was released 9 March 1989. It is not held at the Library, although we do hold an earlier edition of the guide, and other useful resources. See 'Research help' box below.
As there are thousands of fiche in the set, and the relevant research guides may be difficult to interpret, so please ask us for advice about locating complex, cross-referenced data.
To find more resources, search the Library's Main Catalogue by keyword or using the following subject headings:
