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STATISTICAL DATA INTEGRATION LEADERSHIP

OBJECTIVES

The Statistical Data Integration Leadership Program aims to maximise benefits from the use of existing data, minimise risks associated with bringing together datasets of national significance such as the Census of Population and Housing, and maintain the trust of the broader community in the collection and use of personal and business data for statistical and research purposes. The key outcome is to provide a safe and effective environment for Commonwealth data integration for statistical and research purposes within Australia.

The activities of the Statistical Data Integration Program are led by a Secretariat to the Cross Portfolio Data Integration Oversight Board. This Board provides strong and consistent governance, methods, policies and protocols around data integration involving Commonwealth data for statistical and research purposes. The Board is chaired by the Australian Statistician with members being the Secretaries of the Commonwealth Departments of Health, Human Services and Social Services.

Data integration is the joining of data from different sources to enable new insights such as educational and health outcomes, or analyses over a life course. Data integration is a major priority for the National Statistical System as demand increases for analyses of integrated and longitudinal population, social, economic and environmental datasets for statistical and research purposes.

The principal stakeholders involved are data custodians, integrating authorities and data users, which include Australian, state, territory and local government organisations, researchers and the community.


OUTPUTS

The main outputs from the program are:

• secretariat services to the Cross Portfolio Data Integration Oversight Board
• assessments of applications for accredited Integrating Authority status
• policies and strategies for data integration activities involving Commonwealth data for statistical and research purposes
• guidance materials and tools for data integration activities involving Commonwealth data for statistical and research purposes
• maintenance of the public register of data integration projects and a comments and complaints mechanism
• communication and engagement activities including seminars and presentations, participation in relevant conferences (particularly those that relate to information sharing across governments, the research sector and the community), and participation in meetings (particularly those across portfolios within governments).

• work with stakeholders to implement a safe and effective environment for data integration involving Commonwealth data. This includes supporting discussions on the progressive implementation of the Commonwealth arrangements and developing a communication and education strategy - ongoing
• maintain a register of data integration projects conducted for statistical and research purposes involving Commonwealth data - ongoing
• engage with the states and territories and academics to encourage a safe and effective environment for data integration involving Commonwealth data for statistical and research purposes - ongoing
• stay abreast of international best practice for statistical integration activities in order to influence Australian deliberations - ongoing.