Changes to forward work program

Latest release
ABS Corporate Plan
Cite
Reference period
2026-27

We have made changes to the list and schedule of statistical releases over the next four years based on the operational priorities and stakeholder expectations. 

A summary of changes is outlined below.

Economy
Statistical releaseChanges madeRationale
Monthly Business Turnover IndicatorPublication ceased in November 2025Experimental publication developed in 2021 to provide insights into economic activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. Several alternative measures of business activity by industry are available on the ABS website.
Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Summary of resultsNot currently scheduledThe timing of the next Household Expenditure Survey is to be confirmed. 
Household Income and Wealth, AustraliaSchedule correctionInitially scheduled for release in 2027–28 in the 2025–26 FWP, this has been revised to 2026–27 in this FWP.
Australian National Accounts: Input-Output TablesFrequency change from yearly to two-yearlyThe ABS has produced Input-Output (I-O) tables annually since the early 2000s. I-O tables primarily provide detailed structural information on production activity. Because these structures tend to change slowly, the frequency of I-O tables was reviewed in consultation with users. 
Consumer Price Index, AustraliaStandalone quarterly publication ceased in October 2025The ABS now publishes a complete monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the primary measure of headline inflation. Quarterly CPI data tables are included in every third month of the monthly CPI release. 
Consumer Price Index, Australia – Monthly IndicatorPublication ceased in October 2025The ABS now publishes a complete monthly CPI.
Labour
Statistical releaseChanges madeRationale
Labour Force, AustraliaFrequency change from monthly and quarterly to monthly onlyAdditional detailed labour information previously collected on a quarterly basis, will now be collected monthly as part of modernising the Labour Force Survey.
Labour Force, Australia, DetailedPublication ceased in April 2026The ABS will consolidate detailed Labour Force estimates into the headline Labour Force, Australia publication. This change is part of modernising the Labour Force Survey. 
Labour Force Status of FamiliesNot scheduled for release in 2026–27Labour Force Status of Families will not be released in 2026–27 due to the Monthly Population Survey modernisation program. From 2027–28 onwards it will continue as a yearly release.
Monthly Employee Earnings IndicatorPublication ceased from August 2026Stakeholder feedback indicates that post-pandemic the release provided limited additional value relative to other ABS labour market and earnings measures. Ceasing the release enables the labour statistics program to focus on the outputs most valued by users.
Labour Force Supplementary ProgramParticipation, Job Search and Mobility, Australia, Characteristics of Employment, Australia, and Barriers and Incentives to Labour Force Participation have been combined in the Labour Force Supplementary ProgramPriority data is now collected in the Labour Supplementary Survey as part of modernising the Labour Force Survey. 
Retirement and Retirement Intentions, AustraliaFrequency change from two-yearly to three-yearlyChange in frequency to align user needs with operational capacity.
Payroll JobsPublication ceased in July 2025Stakeholder feedback indicates that post-pandemic the release provided limited additional value relative to other ABS labour market and earnings measures. Ceasing the release enables the labour statistics program to focus on the outputs most valued by users.
Industry
Statistical releaseChanges madeRationale
Retail Trade, AustraliaPublication ceased in July 2025Enhancements to the Monthly Household Spending Indicator provide users with a more comprehensive measure of household consumption. This has eliminated the need for businesses to respond to the Retail Business Survey. 
People
Statistical releaseChanges madeRationale
Crime victimisationPublication name change from Crime victimisation, Australia to Crime victimisationN/a
Legal AssistancePublication name change from Legal Assistance Services to Legal AssistanceN/a
Education and Work, AustraliaPublication ceased in November 2025Following an ABS review of education statistics, data series that are assessed as  priorities will be collected in the modernised Labour Force Survey and Multipurpose Household Survey Program.
Qualifications and WorkPublication ceased in April 2024Given available resources, the ABS is looking to develop a potential new Education and Skills survey that better aligns with contemporary data priorities.
Work-Related Training and Adult Learning Survey, AustraliaPublication ceased in April 2026Given available resources, the ABS is looking to develop a potential new Education and Skills survey that better aligns with contemporary data priorities.
How Australians Use Their Time Survey: Time Use SurveyFrequency change from two-yearly to five-yearlyGiven the relative stability of time use patterns and international guidance recommending less frequent collection, a five year survey cycle supports tracking policy relevant change while ensuring efficient use of resources.
Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), AustraliaSchedule correctionInitially scheduled for release in 2028–29 in the 2025–26 FWP, this has been revised to 2027–28 in this FWP.
Health
Statistical releaseChanges madeRationale
Provisional Mortality StatisticsFrequency change from
two-monthly to quarterly		From July 2025, the frequency of release was changed reflecting evolving user needs. The ABS publishes information on deaths from acute respiratory infections (such as COVID-19) monthly.
Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study: National Nutrition and Physical ActivityPublication ceased in September 2025One-off user funded release in 2025–26. The Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study is complete.
Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical ActivityPublication ceased in October 2025One-off user funded release in 2025–26. The Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study is complete.
Data assets
Statistical releaseChanges madeRationale
Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset (ACLD)Schedule correctionInitially scheduled for release in 2027–28 in the 2025–26 FWP, this has been revised to 2028–29 in this FWP.
Australian Census Temporary Entrants Integrated Dataset (ACTEID)Tier change from T3 to T2To align with the Temporary Visa Holders in Australia tier rating.
National Disability Data Asset (NDDA)The Disability Reform Ministerial Council (DRMC) has agreed to a changed delivery model for the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA)The NDDA will be released through the Person-Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) and the National Health Data Hub (NHDH) to deliver disability insights.
Location Data Geographics Engine (LODGE)New data assetThe LODGE is a new data asset developed from PLIDA infrastructure, incorporating integrated spatial data.
National Veterans’ Data Asset (NVDA)New data assetThe NVDA is a new data asset that will be developed from PLIDA infrastructure.