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ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

Administrative data are collected by government agencies and service providers as a by-product of their administrative processes, for example, as part of the contact that is made with clients and through records of their transactions with agencies. While the type of information collected is intended to satisfy operational or service provision needs, some administrative data sources may usefully inform policy or research information needs in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries. There are often technical and legislative barriers to using administrative data for other purposes, particularly relating to confidentiality and privacy of information.

Some key administrative data sets collected by agencies and service providers that contain potentially valuable policy and research information for primary industries, include:

• Commodity levy payer records – the Department of Agriculture administers an online system for levy payments and charges for a number of commodity groups, including dairy, livestock, chickens, pigs, wool, grains, cotton, rice, wheat, oilseeds, turf, honey, wine, apples and pears, citrus, nursery products, mushrooms and potatoes. Industry members pay primary industry levies and charges to fund R&D, marketing and promotion, plant and animal health programs and residue testing that benefit the industry. Levies are lodged quarterly and are based on recorded production levels by commodity.
• Export Documentation System (EXDOC) – the Department of Agriculture administers the export documentation system for exports of primary produce from Australia. Export documentation includes export permits that are required by the Export Control Act (1982) and export certificates required by importing countries. Data are recorded as a result of exporters or their agents applying for Department of Agriculture export permits or certificates. Information can include details of the consignment, transport, product and product preparation of meat, dairy, seafood, grains, eggs, skins and hides, horticulture and wool commodities. Export data are held in the EXDOC database for a 13 month period. The EXDOC team provides information from export data for internal use of the Department. Client privacy concerns must be taken into consideration in any reporting. The data are shared with ABS for trade statistics estimates and the National Accounts.
• Import Clearance System of Customs – import data are collected under the Customs Act (1901) with importers having a legal obligation to provide documentation to Customs. These data are used by the ABS to estimate foreign trade statistics such as the quantity, value and origin of goods brought into Australia. The Customs Administration Act (1985) allows Customs to pass these data to the ABS for statistical purposes.
• Australian Import Management System (AIMS) – the Department of Agriculture administers the import management system for the import of goods into Australia specified under the Quarantine Act (1908). Permit information, including product or commodity details, the proposed end use of the product and country of origin, is collected for some specified goods.
• The Australian Taxation Office collects information on business taxation – these data are used to produce estimates of the number of businesses engaged in agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
• The Australian Wool Testing Authority tests virtually all wool produced in Australia. The company collects data on wool production and quality including number of bales, weight of wool tested, fibre diameter, yield, wool type (fleece, skirting, carding), mulesing status and wool statistical area.
• National Livestock Identification System – a system for identification and traceability of Australian livestock. The database collects movement information for cattle, sheep and goats and recording this information is a mandatory requirement of State legislation. The data are used for livestock traceability supporting market access for Australian red meat products. Its use for other purposes is subject to agreement of the NLIS Advisory Committees made up of Commonwealth and state government representatives, and Peak Industry Councils.
• Pigpass is a system used to track the movement of pigs in Australia. A National Vendor Declaration must be filled in whenever pigs are moved from one property to another. This applies to all pig owners and producers. Information required for PigPass includes Property Identification Code (PIC), pig tattoo/brand number and ABN, pig owner’s contact details, pig and property information, and Property to Property movement declaration. The information is used to provide quality assurance to customers of the safety, integrity and traceability of pork products, and also enables authorities to determine the source of a disease outbreak or food safety emergency. The PigPass system is administered by Australian Pork Ltd on behalf of the pork industry.