ABOUT ASAC

ASAC was established by the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975.

Under subsection 18(1) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975, the Council is to advise the Minister and the Australian Statistician on:

1. the improvement, extension and co-ordination of statistical services provided for public purposes in Australia;
2. annual and longer term priorities and programs of work that should be adopted in relation to major aspects of the provision of those statistical services; and
3. any other matters relating generally to those statistical services.

The Australian Statistician keeps the Council informed of key developments related to the ABS. The Chairperson meets regularly with the Minister and Australian Statistician
to ensure relevant advice and assistance from the Council are available to them.

The ABS Act provides that the Council shall consist of a part-time Chairperson, the Australian Statistician (ex officio), and between ten and 22 part-time members, including one nominee from each State Premier or Territory Chief Minister. The responsible Minister appoints the Council Chairperson for five years and members for periods of up to three years. Members are eligible for reappointment when their membership expires. The membership of the Council as at 30 June 2017 totalled 16.

The Council meets in formal session two to three times a year, as well as interacting out of session on specific matters requiring its attention.

Subsection 24(1) of the ABS Act provides that: the Council must, as soon as practicable after 30 June in each year, prepare and submit to the Minister, for presentation to the Parliament, a report relating to matters connected with the operation of this Act.

Operation of ASAC

Members of the Council are appointed by the Commonwealth Minister with responsibility for the ABS.

The Chairperson of the Council receives an annual fee, set by the Remuneration Tribunal, and all members are paid a set allowance to support their attendance at meetings, where applicable. Apart from the Chairperson, members serving on the Council do so in an honorary capacity.

Secretariat services for ASAC are provided by staff drawn from the ABS. The office of ASAC Secretary is held by the Program Manager, Data Integration Partnerships Branch. Secretariat support from the ABS includes organising and recording meetings, administering membership and the Council website, and assisting in the preparation of the Council’s Annual Report and any submissions or papers under its authority.

All costs associated with the operations of ASAC are met from the ABS budget.