Operating context

Each year, in setting its priorities, the ABS considers the needs of key information users, current and emerging risks, the burden placed on data providers, available resources and opportunities to improve access to statistical information.

The demand for high-quality data continues to grow as governments and institutions respond to issues such as social disadvantage and the cost of living. To better inform policy decisions that have tangible implications for Australian households, the ABS is increasing the quality and frequency of statistics that provide insights into Australians’ financial and overall wellbeing. This includes delivering a comprehensive monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) to offer more timely insights into inflation. The ABS will also conduct an annual General Social Survey to inform Australia’s national wellbeing framework, Measuring What Matters. 

The ABS is responding to increased demand for data, embracing new technologies and exploring alternate sources of data. The secure linkage of administrative and alternate sources of data provides a new evidence base for policy, community insights and program evaluation. The ABS hosts these data assets securely and with well-developed protocols to protect individual and business information. 

The ABS is modernising its data acquisition process to respond to long-term declines in survey response rates and to enable a digital-first approach to data collection. This will improve the user experience and reduce the time it takes individuals, businesses and households to provide information. Innovations such as the ABS Business Reporting web application allow businesses to use their accounting software to pre-fill survey responses, saving time and improving the quality of the data collected. The ABS is also conducting extensive community consultation and research ahead of the 2026 Census to inform strategies to support household participation.

In embracing the use of data linkage and new technologies to reduce provider burden, the ABS is also aware of Australians’ privacy expectations on the use of their data. There is a high level of public trust in how the ABS collects, handles and secures information. The ABS is undertaking Privacy Impact Assessments for the Census and other sensitive collections to ensure data handling practices are consistent with community expectations. 

The ABS has a capable, diverse and highly engaged workforce. Our people are in high demand, with their skills making them attractive in both the public and private sector. The ABS value proposition for staff continues to be based on making a significant contribution to the Australian community, flexible approaches to working, the provision of development opportunities, and a strong and highly regarded graduate recruitment and development program.

The ABS ensures its time, resources and funds are directed to priority activities. Our governance minimises duplication and redundant effort, ensuring investments can deliver key statistical releases and support long-term projects. 

The ABS is committed to the Australian Public Service (APS) Strategic Commissioning Framework to ensure the core work of the ABS is undertaken by APS employees. 

The ABS has set a target to keep the amount of core work outsourced to less than 1% of its Full-Time Equivalent workforce. This target reflects our commitment to maintaining the ABS’ core work in-house and harnessing APS expertise and knowledge.

The ABS is making shifts to deliver on its strategic priorities and respond to changing priorities and opportunities. The 5 shifts are:

The Big Data, Timely Insights (BDTI) program is supporting these shifts by the use of modern and secure technology, responding to the needs of our clients and providing timely and accurate economic insights.

Phase 2 of the BDTI program will support the transition of key data assets to a secure cloud environment, allowing the ABS to reduce the risks it currently faces to the production and accuracy of Australia's key economic statistics.

From 2024–25, the BDTI program will also commence work to replace the legacy Statistical Business Register system with a cloud-based product, the Business Characteristics Asset that will provide additional data on small businesses and more timely insights on business formation and resilience.

The ABS recognises risk as a necessary part of the innovation required to deliver relevant, timely and high-quality statistics. Where strategies and priorities result in higher risk, internal management and engagement with clients ensures there is appropriate awareness and control of the risk.

The ABS Risk Management Framework sets out the Australian Statistician’s expectations for how the ABS manages risks to deliver better outcomes for the Australian community. Based on the Commonwealth Risk Management Policy, the framework supports the ABS in establishing and maintaining appropriate systems and controls for the oversight and management of risk, in line with Australian Government requirements.

The Australian Statistician has overarching responsibility for the ABS Risk Management Framework. The Australian Statistician chairs the ABS Executive Board that monitors the enterprise risks facing the ABS and determines our risk appetite and tolerance. The Chief Risk Officer supports the Executive Board in reviewing enterprise risk and assuring the effectiveness of our management of risk. The Audit and Risk Committee provides independent advice to the Australian Statistician on the appropriateness of the enterprise risk management framework and internal controls.

The ABS builds a line of sight for all staff to the enterprise-level strategy and priorities. Managers at all levels are accountable for managing risks to their objectives by establishing monitoring and control activities proportionate to the level of risk. ABS governance bodies enable collective and coordinated responses to risk by enabling investment in controls for common or systemic risks, supporting effective escalation of higher-level risks, and overseeing the efforts of line managers in addressing lower-level risks.

The ABS risk culture supports innovative projects by encouraging calculated risk-taking, finding opportunities and applying informed risk management practices.

The ABS has put plans in place to mitigate against key risks, which include the following:

As Australia’s national statistical agency, the ABS understands the importance of our relationships with key data providers, including state and territory governments and private sector entities. These partnerships are crucial in the dynamic data and statistical environment, enabling the ABS to bring together data from across the APS and private sector. Working together to harness opportunities will support the production of high-quality official statistics and new insights.

Our cooperation across government and research institutions includes working with:

• the Department of Education on the new Early Childhood Education and Care cost index 
• the Reserve Bank of Australia to host conferences that showcase the role of data in tackling public policy problems 
• the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to enhance the data collection of insurance, superannuation and banking data
• the Department of Social Services, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and states and territories to deliver the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) and Australian National Data Integration Infrastructure (ANDII)
• the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia on the Australian Climate Service to help government and community better understand the threats posed by natural disasters and climate change and reduce their impacts 
• Geoscience Australia to deliver the Digital Atlas of Australia to provide users with access to a selection of data, interactive applications and maps
• APS agencies to produce integrated data assets including the Person-Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) and Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment (BLADE) about people and businesses 
• ACT and SA Governments on the pilot Life Course Data Initiative (LCDI) which integrates data from a range of ACT and SA Government services to PLIDA and demonstrates its value in addressing entrenched disadvantage
• the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the agricultural industry to modernise ABS agriculture statistics using alternative data sources
• the Australian university sector to develop and quality assure the methodological solutions which underpin our statistics and processes.

The ABS also develops and draws on international expertise by collaborating with statistical agencies worldwide and mentoring agencies in developing countries.

The ABS is an active member of the United Nations Statistical Commission and has many enduring international relationships. Through these connections, the ABS shares its expertise, collaborates on research and development, and enhances the quality and relevance of its own statistical products and services. The ABS’ international engagements include working with:

• the International Monetary Fund to develop the 7th edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM7)
• the United Nations Statistical Commission to update the System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA), which will culminate in the 2025 SNA
• other nations in the High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS) to develop strategies and solutions in a flexible and agile way
• the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support regional statistical capability and institutional strengthening through programs in Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and elsewhere in the Pacific.

The ABS works with the ABS Round Table for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics to ensure statistical programs are undertaken in a culturally safe manner and reflect the priorities, values and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.