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Definition

The Postcode datafile code set representing Australian postcodes as defined by Australia Post.

Representation

Data Type Number
Format NNN[N]
Maximum character length 4

Comments

Guide for use:
The postcode book is updated more than once annually as postcodes are a dynamic entity and are constantly changing.

Comments:

Postcode may be used in the analysis of data on a geographical basis, which involves a conversion from postcodes to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) postal areas. This conversion results in some inaccuracy of information. However, in some data sets postcode is the only geographic identifier, therefore the use of other more accurate indicators (e.g. Statistical Local Area (SLA)) is not always possible.

When dealing with aggregate data, postal areas, converted from postcodes, can be mapped to Australian Standard Geographical Classification codes using an ABS concordance, for example to determine SLAs. It should be noted that such concordances should not be used to determine the SLA of any individual's postcode. Where individual street addresses are available, these can be mapped to ASGC codes (e.g. SLAs) using the ABS National Localities Index (NLI).

References

Related content

Relation Count
Data Elements implementing this Value Domain 0