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ABS CENTRE FOR DATA INTEGRATION

OBJECTIVES

Statistical data integration involves combining information from different administrative and/or survey sources to provide new datasets to be used for statistical and research purposes. Combining high value data sources, previously used in isolation, to generate an expanded range of statistics provides the opportunity to support policy development, research and discussion more effectively in areas such as societal wellbeing, economic resources, education and health. For this reason, statistical data integration is an area of significant growth across the ABS.

The ABS Centre for Data Integration develops and undertakes data integration projects in consultation with data custodians and users. It supports best practice in conducting data integration projects across the ABS through the development of internal infrastructure, resources and tools. The Centre is also responsible for internal policy and governance arrangements to support the safe and effective conduct of ABS statistical data integration activities. This ensures the ABS meets its obligations as an accredited Integrating Authority, and is able to undertake high risk integration projects, including those involving the linkage of sensitive data.

The key objective of the ABS Centre for Data Integration is to advance the quality and range of statistical data integration activities undertaken by the ABS.


OUTPUTS

The Centre has the following outputs:

• Microdata: Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset (ACLD) (ABS cat. no. 2080.0), which brings together data from the 2006 and 2011 Censuses, allowing new insights into the dynamics and transitions that drive social and economic change over time
• Microdata: Australian Census and Migrant Integrated Dataset (ACMID) (ABS cat. no. 3417.0.55.001), which brings together data from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing and the Department of Immigration and Border Protections Settlement Database, enabling the settlement outcomes of recent migrants to be cross classified by their entry conditions, such as visa stream, whether they applied onshore or offshore, and whether they were a main or secondary applicant
• secretariat services to internal governance structures responsible for approving and monitoring all ABS data integration projects
• managing and maintaining ABS data integration policy and communications, which include papers, seminars and presentations as well as the provision of support to various communities of practice to ensure compliance with the Commonwealth principles and governance and institutional arrangements, and to advance ABS best practice
• developing and maintaining tools and infrastructure to support high quality, safe and efficient data integration activities, as well as managing the design and conduct of individual data integration projects and families of projects.

• progress strategies for the 2016 Census Data Enhancement program, including privacy, stakeholder engagement and community engagement strategies - due 2014
• develop and promulgate guidance materials and tools for effective and safe data integration activities - due 2014
• engage with agencies and undertake additional linkage projects under the 2011 Census Data Enhancement program - ongoing
• leverage access to significant datasets by building relationships with custodians of datasets and, consistent with legislative frameworks, negotiating arrangements to access these datasets for integration and the production of statistics and research - ongoing
• leverage new methodological and technological developments to enhance ABS data integration arrangements particularly in the areas of confidentialising data, data linkage accuracy and data linkage quality measures - ongoing
• engage and collaborate with international organisations on data integration methods, tools and other developments - ongoing.