Queensland Household Survey
The Queensland Household Survey (QHS) is a statistical survey of Queensland householders conducted twice each year by the Office of the Government Statistician (OGS), located in Queensland Treasury. Each year, the QHS seeks statistics from Queenslanders on a range of topics such as the role of Government in education, the environment, internet usage, energy efficiency, training and employment.
The QHS uses rigorous statistical sampling techniques to collect statistics which are representative of the Queensland population. The survey collects statistics from over 7,000 householders throughout the state, including the Greater Brisbane area and ten non-metropolitan regions. These data are used to inform policy development, performance measurement and service delivery for many Queensland Government agencies.
The QHS commenced in November 2000 and is conducted every May and November. Individual responses to the survey are confidential, and are protected by legislation.
The Office of the Government Statistician is certified to Australian Standard AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 Quality management systems – Requirements. The registration covers the Quality Management System for survey and research services, including the design, development and provision of processes to collect, collate, interpret, analyse and disseminate high quality primary and secondary statistical information.
Survey methodology
OGS compiles the survey questionnaire which forms the basis of each QHS. Queensland Government agencies who wish to obtain statistics on particular issues of interest may submit questions for inclusion in the survey instrument to OGS. OGS will provide technical advice in relation to question design and response format to ensure the high quality of the QHS questionnaire. Questions which have not been utilised in previous surveys will be pilot tested by OGS to ensure acceptability to respondents prior to inclusion in the QHS.
Interviews are conducted with randomly selected usual household residents, aged 18 years or over, using computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). Random digit dialling of telephone numbers ensures that all numbers have a chance of selection. Statistical sampling techniques are applied to ensure that data collected are representative of the Queensland household population.
OGS manages and conducts all aspects of the Queensland Household Survey. OGS is committed to conducting statistical surveys in a prompt, confidential and courteous manner and employs a dedicated team of experienced research interviewers. To ensure the confidentiality of the information you provide, the Office of the Government Statistician conducts surveys under the authority of the Statistical Returns Act. This Act prohibits the disclosure of identifiable information relating to an individual without their consent.
QHS interviewers are trained to conduct interviews in a professional manner, and to collect accurate and precise data. Data are edited and cleaned by trained statisticians, who then weight and aggregate the data to calculate estimates at the level of the Queensland population.
During data analysis, survey questions are cross-tabulated with standard demographic variables which are collected in each survey, including age, sex, employment status and educational background. The statistical summary reports produced from the Queensland Household Survey note any variations in survey questions according to demographic variables.
Queensland Government agency participation in the QHS
The QHS provides Queensland agencies with a cost effective opportunity to obtain information for policy formulation, planning and evaluation. As each survey contains topics for a number of agency clients, survey overheads are shared across agencies. Questions can be asked in a single survey or can be repeated to measure changes over time.
Since its inception, over 40 Queensland Government agencies have participated in the QHS. OGS invites you to come in and discuss your statistical survey needs. We provide up to a day of statistical advice free of charge.
Once the Queensland Household Survey has been conducted, participating agencies receive a summary of demographic information and the key survey findings from their survey questions, and a technical report outlining the survey methodology.
Closing dates for agency participation in QHS
March → April → May
Submit questions Pilot testing of Commencement
to OGS new questions of main survey
September → October → November
Submit questions Pilot testing of Commencement
to OGS new questions of main survey
Agencies interested in participating in the QHS are urged to contact OGS well before survey commencement dates to allow sufficient time to finalise questions for pilot testing.
QHS outputs and their prices
With the exception of the provision of de-identified unit record data, the price for participants in the QHS is dependent on the number of minutes an agency's questions take.
In previous QHS surveys, interviewers have averaged four questions per minute, but this time will vary depending on the length and complexity of questions. OGS can provide advice in relation to formulating statistical survey questions.
The standard sample size for the QHS includes a total of 600 completed surveys in the Brisbane region and 300 completed surveys for each of the remaining ten non-metropolitan regions throughout Queensland. The non-metropolitan regions coincide with Statistical Divisions, with some western divisions combined. Prices for surveying non-standard regions or a selection of specific regions are available on request.
The standard outputs from the QHS are the provision of a technical report and statistical output tables. Optional outputs include the provision of a summary or executive report, and de-identified (confidentialised) unit record data. The details of these outputs are as follows:
Survey administration
Collection of standard demographic items—age, sex, postcode, country of birth, language spoken at home, highest educational qualification, employment status, marital status, household type, indigenous status, disability and personal income. Pilot testing with 300 households throughout Queensland is also included.
Technical report
Methodological and operational details including response rates, assessment of data quality, and standard errors and their use.
Statistical output tables
Cross-tabulations of estimated population totals and percentages for each question by demographics for each region, and look up tables of relative standard errors.
Summary report
Summary of key survey findings for the agency’s questions.
Additional analyses and reports, such as comparative reports analysing changes over time, can be priced separately.
Further information
OESR has extensive experience in the design and conduct of statistical surveys and is able to provide specialist consultation and advice. For more information contact: queensland.household.survey@treasury.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3224 5326.
Last reviewed: Jul 21, 2008, Last modified: Jul 9, 2008
Other languages