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ABOUT DATA SOURCES

OBTAINING DATA OR FURTHER INFORMATION FOR ABS DATA SOURCES

The ABS publications listed in the Directory can be accessed free on the ABS website. Publications and additional data cubes are freely available on the ABS Web site. Refer to How to Access ABS Statistics or Contact the ABS on this Web site for more information.

If the required data tabulations are not available from published reports, tailored information can also be requested as a 'user pays' service form the ABS. To determine the feasibility of creating such tabulations and their cost, readers should contact the ABS National Information and Referral Service - refer to Contact the ABS. Data users should be aware that the need to preserve the confidentiality of data providers, and the constraints imposed by sample sizes, may prevent dissemination of data to a very fine level of detail. Client service consultants will discuss any such constraints with data users and, if so, determine whether a less fine level of detail will be feasible and satisfactory.

For specific or complex enquiries about a collection (for example, for additional explanations of methodology, data item definitions and future collection plans), refer to the contact details in the 'Contact' section of that collection's entry in the Directory.

For further information about the ABS' National Centre for Crime and Justice Statistics, including information about other crime and justice statistical collections, refer to the Crime and Justice theme page on this Web site.

OBTAINING DATA OR FURTHER INFORMATION FOR NON-ABS DATA SOURCES

Further information about each of the data sources presented in this Directory may be obtained from the contact listed within that entry. There may or may not be a charge for obtaining data from that organisation and restrictions on release or access may apply.

The ABS is not responsible for the accuracy of the information supplied by non-ABS organisations, or the quality of statistics produced by these organisations. The inclusion of a particular source in the Directory does not represent ABS endorsement of that collection or its methodology.

DATA SOURCE QUALITY

Data quality assessments have not been included in this directory as decisions about whether or not a dataset is fit for purpose should be made within the context of the availability of alternative data sources and the relevance to questions which the data are intended to address. Readers are encouraged to use the metadata provided in each data source entry to make an initial assessment as to data quality and the appropriateness of that data for their intended purpose. Please contact the data custodian for more information about quality issues or methodology relating to a specific data source.

The following ABS information papers provide further information about assessing data quality.

• ABS Data Quality Framework, May 2009, (cat. no. 1520.0);
• Quality Management of Statistical Processes Using Quality Gates, December, 2010 (cat. no. 1540.0); and
• Quality Management of Statistical Outputs Produced From Administrative Data, Australia, March 2011, (cat. no. 1522.0).