Microdata and TableBuilder: Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment, BLADE

Information is available about: 

• the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Institutional Environment, including the legislative obligations, financing and governance arrangements, and mechanisms for scrutiny of ABS operations
• the ABS and its role as an Integrating Authority Accreditation under the Commonwealth Data Integration Interim Arrangements

BLADE microdata are released in the ABS DataLab and TableBuilder, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Census and Statistics (Information Release and Access) Determination 2018 made under the Census and Statistics Act 1905. This ensures that confidentiality is maintained whilst enabling micro level data to be released.

The Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment (BLADE) combines administrative, business tax and survey data to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of Australian businesses and the economy. The data is used to study how businesses fare over time and the factors that drive performance, innovation, job creation, competitiveness and productivity.

BLADE detailed microdata

The BLADE microdata contains approximately 9.3 million records, which represent all businesses that have been active at one time in the Australian economy over the period 2001-02 to 2018-19 and are in the scope of the ABS's Business Register. This frame (list of all businesses) data is created by integrating datasets from the ABS, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and other agencies. The specific sources used to create BLADE are:

• ABS Business Register
• Business Activity Statement
• Pay As You Go
• Business Income Tax
• Business Characteristics Survey
• Management Capabilities Module
• Economic Activity Survey
• Business Expenditure on Research and Development
• Private Non-Profit Expenditure on Research and Development
• Survey of Research and Experimental Development, Government
• Intellectual Property Australia: Intellectual Property Longitudinal Research Data
• Department of Home Affairs: Merchandise Trade Data

Businesses in Australia, 2018-19

The Businesses in Australia, 2018-19 TableBuilder product contains approximately 3 million records, which represent all businesses active in the Australian economy in the financial year 2018-19. This data is drawn from the large BLADE detailed microdata product. It contains a subset of data items covering key demographic and economic information.

The BLADE detailed microdata is updated annually, and includes the most recent information for each of the sources available at the time the product is released. BLADE is released in the first half of a calendar year, and includes data for the most recent complete financial year. Information from the ABS Business Register (ABSBR), Business Activity Statement (BAS) and Pay As You Go (PAYG) are released for the same reference period, with the Business Income Tax (BIT) information available up to and including the year previous.

For example, the BLADE microdata available in the first half of 2020 contains ABSBR, BAS and PAYG data for 2018-19, and BIT for 2017-18.

As information in BLADE is sourced from datasets which are created for administrative purposes. Accuracy may be impacted by one or more of the following:

• no (or very minimal) editing is applied to the data over and above what was conducted on the source datasets by data custodian agencies
• differences in conceptual definition of similar concepts (eg. BAS and PAYG both include information relating to wages paid)
• dynamic nature of the business population is captured as an annual event, so timing of structural change (eg. cessation, merger) are not captured at a detailed level (ie. the financial year of occurrence only)

The data included in BLADE is also used for many other purposes. Australian Government administrative data are used for reporting and compliance purposes by agencies, and ABS survey data is used for the compilation of published information. Output derived from BLADE may or may not align exactly with outputs from individual source data due to the treatments made to produce BLADE as a longitudinal dataset.

When using BLADE in the DataLab it is important to refer to the available Explanatory Notes to understand the methodology used to integrate the data, any limitation on certain data items and how to correctly use the various datasets that are available.

Limited information about individual data items is available in the Data Item List. For more detailed information visit the relevant agency website.

The Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment can be accessed through TableBuilder and the DataLab. BLADE has been released to all registered users in TableBuilder as a free product. DataLab is available to approved researchers. See How to apply for more information.