SPECIAL DATA RELEASES

9.47 In some instances, a claimant requesting a restriction may give approval to release monthly confidential data at a reduced level of detail. Statistics for exports of mineral sands and uncut diamonds are released on this basis. A list of the mineral sands and uncut diamonds reports are provided below.

Type of mineral sands	AHECC
Zirconium	Aggregate of 26151010 and 26151020
Rutile ores and concentrates, in bulk	26140011
Rutile ores and concentrates, in bags, drums and similar containers (excl. in bulk)	26140012
Beneficiated ilmenite	26140020
Ilmenite ores and concentrates, in bulk (excl. beneficiated ilmenite)	26140033(a)

(a) Prior to March quarter 2012, AHECC 26140033 was split between ilmenite ores and concentrates, in bulk (excl. beneficiated ilmenite) (AHECC 26140031) and ilmenite ores and concentrates, in bags, drums and similar containers (excl. in bulk and beneficiated ilmenite) (AHECC 26140032).

Type of uncut diamond	AHECC
Non-industrial diamonds, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, not mounted or set	71023100

9.48 Alternatively, some confidential statistics may be released after an agreed period has elapsed, for example, quarterly details of exports of raw cane sugar in bulk are currently released with a six month time lag.

Type of sugar	AHECC
Raw cane sugar, as specified in Subheading Note 2 to Chapter 17, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter	17011300(a)
Raw cane sugar (excl. that specified in Subheading Note 2 to Chapter 17), in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter	17011400(a)

(a) Prior to March quarter 2012, these commodity codes were aggregated into AHECC 17011110 - raw cane sugar, in solid form, in bulk, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter.


9.49 Requests for special data releases attract a fee and can be obtained by contacting National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or via email client.services@abs.gov.au.


AGGREGATIONS OF DATA

9.50 Data that are subject to confidentiality restrictions can sometimes be provided on a more aggregated basis as a special data report. Where a commodity code has been confidentialised, it may be possible to release information aggregated over a longer time period (for example quarterly, six monthly or annually) with a reduced confidentiality restriction. This is known as time aggregation. In the example below the commodity is confidential and in the quarter shown has only one trader each month. However, over the quarter there would be sufficient trade for the aggregated data to be released.

Exporter/Importer	Month 1	Month 2	Month 3
Exporter/Importer 1	$100m
Exporter/Importer 2		$110m
Exporter/Importer 3			$90m
Monthly total	Confidential	Confidential	Confidential
Quarterly total	$300m (aggregated data not confidential)

Note: aggregating over time means the availability of data is more likely but not certain.


9.51 Alternatively, information may be aggregated for selected commodity codes. Reports of this nature are checked to ensure that confidentiality is preserved. However, this greater level of aggregation can, in some cases, mean that more data are available.

9.52 Requests for the supply of data on an aggregation basis attract a fee to meet the cost of determining whether or not there is a level of aggregation which would enable release of otherwise confidential data. The fee is payable regardless of the outcome. Any request for aggregate data should be addressed to the Confidentiality Manager, International Trade in Goods and Services Section, Australian Bureau of Statistics, PO Box 66, Hobart, TAS 7001. Contact can also be made via email international.trade@abs.gov.au.