The AIHW provides statistical information that governments, researchers and the community can use to promote discussion on and improve the delivery of health and welfare for Australians.

Our data on request service enables you to request new data tables within one specified data collection at new and different levels of disaggregation using different or derived data items.

Before deciding to request data, complete the following steps:

  1. Make sure what you require for your research project is not already publicly available. Do so by checking  your topic. This is an important step since it can save you time and money.
  2. If you do not find what you need by topic, check Our data collection section. Here you will find information on our range of data and its availability.
  3. If you are unsure, contact experts via the email address provided in the data collection you are interested in to determine if what you need is available through them.
  4. Complete a data on request form only after experts confirm this is required.

Charges

The AIHW generally charges for data requests at an hourly rate on a cost-recovery basis. The minimum charge is $300 + GST for each request.

You will be given an estimate of the charge for a request for your approval before it is actioned. Once approved, it will be supplied as an AIHW tax invoice.

Time to provide data

It takes between two weeks and several months to provide data, depending on the complexity of your request.

Ethics approvals

The AIHW follows Australian research ethics guidelines with data, including:

  • National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human research 
  • Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cwlth).

Some data requests require ethical approval. These are considered by the AIHW Ethics Committee at its scheduled quarterly meetings.

There is a $600 (plus GST) administration fee for each application you make to the AIHW Ethics Committee.

Data linkage

Data linkage is when data from more than one source, but relating to the same individual or institution, is brought together. This is also known as 'data integration' and 'record matching'.

The AIHW collects and holds data on many subjects, and from multiple administrative datasets. This means the AIHW is in a unique position to link data across many health and welfare spheres.

All data linking requests must be approved by the AIHW Ethics Committee.