New National Data Acquisition Centre opened in Geelong

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MEDIA RELEASE
11 April 2016
Embargoed: 9.30 am (Canberra time)
48/2016
New National Data Acquisition Centre opened in Geelong
The National Data Acquisition Centre (NDAC) has been officially opened in Geelong, paving the way for an innovative chapter for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The centre will eventually employ up to 300 people and is a key part of the modernisation of the ABS.

“This centre is playing an important role in the transformation of the ABS so we can deliver the best statistics in more innovative and efficient ways,” said the Australian Statistician, David W. Kalisch.

“The ABS is one of Australia’s most trusted organisations and our data is the bedrock on which Australians build an understanding of their economy and society. Our transformation program will enable us to continue to provide that vital information,” Mr Kalisch said.

The Federal Government announced last year it would invest $257 million dollars over five years to fund the transformation of ABS systems and processes.

The NDAC consolidates the collection of data for all business and household surveys. In the past data collection operations have been located in offices all over Australia. Moving to one location streamlines processes and ensures the ABS continues to deliver better results and more value to taxpayers.

The purpose built office in Geelong is utilising new technology to give Australians more and easier methods of interacting with us.

“As technology changes, so will we in order to make it as easy as possible for Australians to provide us with reliable information and more easily access our data,” Mr Kalisch said.

This also means collecting information from other data sources and developing innovative methods to lead the way in data acquisition.

Deakin University owns the site and as part of the lease agreement has completed a comprehensive purpose built fit-out for the ABS. This was largely funded by the Victorian State Government.

The office is equipped with the latest technology and is one of the most accessible sites in the country. It can house up to 250 workers at any one time but up to 300 staff may be employed by the Centre due to the flexibility the office creates.

The NDAC will employ up to 180 full-time and 120 part-time staff.

So far the ABS has had a fantastic response to the Geelong recruitment drive. “It’s a world class facility, located in one of the most beautiful spots in the country,” Mr Kalisch said. “It’s the gateway to the Great Ocean Road and only 75 kilometres from Melbourne.”

Deakin University and the ABS have forged a partnership as part of the move to Geelong. “Working with an organisation that is at the cutting edge in the research community places the ABS in an even better position to unleash the power of statistics for a better Australia.”

A two minute video about the NDAC can be viewed here and a Fact Sheet about the new centre can be found below.

Ends.

Media Note:

    · The Australian Statistician, David W. Kalisch, is available to speak with the media after the official opening along with some new Geelong-based employees.
    · Media attending the launch are required to have photo ID to gain entry.
    · Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070 (8.30am - 5pm Mon-Fri).
    · Subscribe to our media release notification service to notify you of ABS media releases or publications upon their release.

Fast Fact Sheet for the ABS National Data Acquisition Centre

What happens at the NDAC?

The National Data Acquisition Centre in Geelong is responsible for the collection of data for all the business and household surveys done by the ABS. The gathering of information from and about households and businesses across Australia will be managed and coordinated out of Geelong.

Why open a new office?

In the past data collection operations have been located in offices all over Australia. Moving to one location will streamline processes and help Australians gain an even better understanding of ourselves now and into the future.

Why Geelong?

The ABS decided to open the NDAC in Geelong for a few reasons:


    · It is part of the Federal Government’s $257 million transformation program of the ABS statistical systems process.

    · Deakin University, the owner of the site, has transformed the space into a modern and purpose-built office which will operate as a fully flexible workplace using the latest technology. The State Government has provided funding to Deakin for this.

    · The ABS has formed a partnership with Deakin University.

    · The waterfront property is a stunning place to work.

    · Geelong is the gateway to the Great Ocean Road and only 75 kilometres from Melbourne.


How many people will work at the office?

    · The office will employ up to 300 people but it can house 250 workers at any one time.
    · There will be a core of 180 full-time staff and up to 120 part-time workers.
    · The office will employ more staff when dealing with extra survey work. For example more people will be employed at the Geelong Office this year to assist with the five-yearly Agricultural census that surveys 100,000 farm businesses across the country.
    · The office will be fully staffed by mid-2017.

Which surveys are coordinated from the centre?

Staff employed at this centre or for this centre work with data that affects all Australians. Every month they collect information from 26,000 households and more than 100,000 businesses a year. Some of the surveys managed and produced at the NDAC are:

    · The Monthly Population Survey which produces the nation's employment and unemployment figures.

    · The Retail Business Survey which is used by retailers, industry associations, economists and governments to analyse consumer spending behaviour.

    · The National Health Survey which provides governments, health researchers and the community with important clues about health problems and emerging issues in Australia today.

    · The Agricultural Census which is a five yearly census of Australian agricultural commodity statistics.

    · NB. The 2016 Census of Population and Housing will not be done from the NDAC.


What other data will be collected?

The NDAC is also responsible for the secure collection of information from big data and administrative data sources. This is information that already exists within government agencies and other organisations. It includes transaction records, Medicare payment records, educational attainment records, tax records and court records.

For example, some retailers now send transactions datasets directly to the ABS and these datasets are used to compile the Consumer Price Index. Previously the ABS sent staff into shops in the capital cities to measure changes in the price of goods and services. By using an existing data resource, an existing by-product of business, the ABS is able to deliver a powerful economic measure at a reduced cost to tax payers.

By using existing data sets and linking them together with other data the ABS can get a more accurate and in depth picture of what is happening in Australia. This in turn reduces the burden on the people and businesses providing information to us.

The ABS is perfectly placed to explore these data sources as it already operates under strict laws to protect the privacy of citizens and businesses.

What role will the NDAC have in changing the way the ABS interacts with Australians?

The ABS wants to make it as easy as possible for Australians to interact with us. That’s why we are improving how we do our business.

The purpose built office in Geelong is utilising new technology to give Australians more and easier methods of interacting with us. It means people will soon be able choose between the more traditional phone and face-to-face interviews and using smart phones, tablets, and other web based interactions. As technology changes, so will we in order to make it as easy as possible for Australians to provide us with information and access our data.

This also means developing our own methods to lead the way in data acquisition.

How important is the partnership with Deakin University?

The National Data Acquisition Centre is housed within Deakin University’s Geelong campus and it has also formed a strong partnership with the highly respected institution.


    · Deakin is already providing cloud learning opportunities to ABS staff across the country.
    · The ABS plans to provide students and graduates with jobs and career opportunities.
    · Both organisations plan to collaborate on more innovative data collection methods and research.
    · The partnership strengthens Geelong’s growing reputation as a smart city.