Access and services

In addition to publishing statistics on our website, the ABS provides specialised data products and services to inform Australia’s important decisions.

We work as a trusted partner to provide a range of high-quality access, data integration and consultancy services.

Compare data services will help you to discover and choose the best data service for your needs.

A range of integrated data is available for access by approved users for statistical and research purposes.

The ABS uses the Five Safes Framework to ensure safe and secure data access for projects that benefit the public.

For an overview of key integrated data assets see: 

• Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA)
• Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment (BLADE)
• Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset (ACLD)
• Linked Employer-Employee Dataset (LEED)

Available microdata provides a list of ABS microdata, including a range of integrated data.

Access to detailed microdata is provided through the secure ABS DataLab for approved users and projects.

Some users prefer to access basic tables, custom graphs, graphs and large tables sourced from integrated data using TableBuilder.

ABS Information Consultants can produce outputs to suit your requirements sourced from integrated data. This service is available for approved users who want to work with aggregate data in their own environment.

The ABS produces standard integrated data products that meet most research needs and creates custom products for projects with specialised requirements.

Standard detailed microdata and TableBuilder are available to approved government and non-government users. This includes the PLIDA Modular product and Businesses in Australia, 2018-19.

BLADE and 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

The DataLab User Guide outlines the requirements users must meet before access is granted.

DataLab safe researcher training provides an overview of the mandatory training and schedule.

The first step is to contact ABS Data Services via data.services@abs.gov.au. We will discuss your project requirements and data options, and provide you with an Integrated data project proposal template.

If you would like an ABS Information Consultant to produce aggregate outputs sourced from integrated data, you may submit a request for an obligation free quote. 

If our existing products don’t meet your needs, you can apply for our Data integration service.

How to Apply describes the steps involved in applying to access ABS microdata.

Data services prices outlines the associated costs.

There are a number of steps associated with accessing detailed microdata in the ABS DataLab (see the DataLab User Guide). 

The ABS is committed to providing high quality customer service and will progress projects efficiently through each step. The ABS aims to provide access to standard detailed microdata (and other extracts already available in the DataLab) within one month of receipt of a completed project proposal being received. Note however that this timeframe may vary dependent on the complexity of the request, data custodian requirements, and researcher availability for DataLab training and on-boarding.

Data integration service outlines how we can help you if your project needs cannot be met using our existing integrated data products.