Statistical area levels are geographic areas defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).
These definitions ensure geographical statistics can be easily compared across different regions.
Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1):
SA1s are designed for use as the smallest unit for the processing and release of Census data.
SA1s are either urban or rural in character and have an average population size of approximately 400 people.
Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2):
SA2s are primarily based on state suburbs. In urban areas, SA2s form whole suburbs and combinations of whole suburbs.
SA2s have an average population size of approximately 10,000 people and are built up from one or more whole SA1s.
Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3):
SA3s are geographical areas made up of whole SA2s.
SA3s are often neighbourhoods or districts you find in larger towns and cities. They typically have a population of more than 20,000 people. SA3s can include groups of suburbs that are connected to big commercial and transport centres in urban areas.
Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4):
SA4s may be defined as regions and are designed to reflect one or more whole labour markets. SA4s contain populations of more than 100,000 people.
The GCCSA is a combination of SA4s and is designed to represent the social and economic characteristics of Brisbane.