Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA)

PLIDA is a secure data asset combining information on health, education, government payments, income and taxation, employment, and population demographics (including the Census) over time.

It provides whole-of-life insights about various population groups in Australia, such as the interactions between their characteristics, use of services like healthcare and education, and outcomes like improved health and employment.

MADIP was first established in 2015 in response to a review of the Commonwealth arrangements for data integration that found more focus was needed to access the substantial value inherent in public data. The MADIP data asset was further developed between 2017 and 2020 through the Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA).

The ABS is trusted as the accredited Integrating Authority for PLIDA. We collect and combine the data, provide access to authorised researchers, and protect your privacy and keep your information secure at all times.

The project is enabled through a partnership of agencies, which includes: 

• Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Australian Taxation Office
• Department of Education
• Department of Health and Aged Care
• Department of Social Services
• Services Australia
• Department of Home Affairs.

These agencies are also the members of the PLIDA Board, which is responsible for the operation and strategic direction of PLIDA. The Board is also attended by the following agencies as observers:

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
• Finance
• Treasury
• Department of Employment & Workplace Relations (DEWR).

The Person Linkage Spine allows us to link datasets through a spine of key information, separate from the main body of data. This approach improves privacy and security and enables more efficient and higher quality linkage. The Spine supports the regular maintenance and expansion of PLIDA.

PLIDA/MADIP Research Projects is a register listing approved projects making use of PLIDA data by approved users.

Use and benefits provides a number of case studies of research and analysis using this data.

PLIDA is governed by existing ABS Privacy and Security protections, more information is available on the Keeping integrated data safe and Privacy in PLIDA pages.

PLIDA/MADIP Privacy Impact Assessments are an important part of the governance and accountability framework and helps identify and manage privacy impacts.

PLIDA data and legislation provides further information on the data items within PLIDA and associated legislation.

PLIDA standard detailed microdata is available for approved projects to approved government and non-government users.

Custom PLIDA detailed microdata are available to these types of users:

• government employees
• government contractors and individuals sponsored by government
• academics
• researchers from public policy research institutes.

Access and services provides an outline of how to apply to access PLIDA data.