The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines geographical areas through a classification known as the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC). This classification has been utilised since 1984 and is updated annually. ABS will be implementing a new standard to be known as the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), based on Mesh Blocks from July 2011.

This paper covers the rational for the changes and describes how spatial analysis of statistics will be improved. It also outlines how users and producers of statistics can prepare for the changes. Examples are provided of the new statistical areas for selected regions.