Options for a Top-up Sample to the HILDA Survey

Abstract

As the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey becomes more established as a panel, we need to plan for its long-term viability. Our funding body, the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA), requested that we consider the options for an immigrant sample top-up. The motivation for the sample top-up originates from the sample design and the under-coverage of the Australian population that occurs over time. The HILDA sample was selected in 2001 from people living in private dwellings in non-remote parts of Australia. The people from wave 1 responding households are followed over time and interviewed. Other people they subsequently live with are also interviewed, but not followed. The exception to this rule is that when children are born to or adopted by sample members, they become part of the sample followed over time (along with their other parent if they are not already part of the permanent sample).