Changes to performance measures

Latest release

ABS Corporate Plan

Reference period

2026-27

Released

31/08/2026

Next release Unknown

We have made minor changes to our performance measures to improve the way we measure our performance.

A summary of changes is outlined below.

Key activity 1: Produce high-quality statistics and insights
2025–26 Corporate Plan performance measure and method		2026–27 Corporate Plan performance measure and method		Changes made	Rationale
1.1 Trust in ABS statistics		1.1 Trust in ABS statistics		Retained	Not applicable
	Method 1: Community Trust in ABS Statistics Survey (CTASS)		Method 1: Community Trust in ABS Statistics Survey (CTASS)	Retained	Not applicable
	Method 2: Number of statistics released on the ABS website are free of significant errors		Method 2: Number of statistics released on the ABS website are free of significant errors	Retained	Not applicable
1.2 International compliance		1.2 International compliance		Retained	Not applicable
	Compliance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS)		Compliance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS)	Retained	Not applicable
1.3 Conduct the Census		1.3 Conduct the Census		Retained	Not applicable
	Successful completion of the 2025 Census Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE)		Response rate to the 2026 Census Independent survey of user sentiment toward the 2026 Census Validation of the quality of 2026 Census data by the Statistical Independent Assurance Panel	Amended	The 2026–27 method reflects phases of the Census.
	Completion of the release of data on all 2026 Census topics		Completion of the release of data on all 2026 Census topics	Retained	Not applicable
	Finalise the proposed 2031 Census topics		Complete public consultation on 2031 Census topics	Amended	Method and Target are updated to reflect major phases of the Census cycle.
	Not applicable		Finalise the proposed 2031 Census topics	New	Method reflects the major phases of the Census cycle. New method and target introduced to reflect 2031 Census activity to be undertaken in 2029–30.
1.4 Access to ABS data and statistics		1.4 Access to ABS data and statistics		Retained	Not applicable
	Composite index of channel access: • Calls to API service • Number of DataLab sessions • Number of invoices for customised data services • Count of ABS website sessions • Registered users of TableBuilder		Composite index of channel access: • Calls to API service • Number of DataLab sessions • Number of invoices for customised data services • Count of ABS website sessions • Registered users of TableBuilder	Retained	Not applicable

Key activity 2: Exercise leadership in strengthening Australia’s data capabilities
2025–26 Corporate Plan performance measure and method		2026–27 Corporate Plan performance measure and method		Changes made	Rationale
2.1 Adoption of secure data infrastructure		2.1 Adoption of secure data infrastructure		Retained	Not applicable
	Number of agreements for Secure Environment for Analysing Data (SEAD) services		Total Secure Environment for Analysing Data (SEAD) agreements to date	Amended	The wording of the method amended to clarify that the method is counting the total number of agreements since roll-out of the SEAD service.
2.2 Engagement with the APS Data Profession		2.2 Engagement with the APS Data Profession		Retained	Not applicable
	Number of Member Community Platform (MCP) members Number of interactions with the MCP		Number of Member Community Platform (MCP) members Number of interactions with the MCP	Retained	Not applicable

Key activity 3: Strengthen relationships and reduce load on data providers
2025–26 Corporate Plan performance measure and method		2026–27 Corporate Plan performance measure and method		Changes made	Rationale
3.1 Efficiency of statistical operations		3.1 Efficiency of statistical operations		Retained	Not applicable
	Use of the Whole of Australian Government Coding Service to improve the efficiency of statistical operations		Use of the Whole of Australian Government Coding Service to improve the efficiency of statistical operations	Amended	The targets for 2027–28 to 2029–30 are not set and will be outlined in the 2027–28 Corporate Plan after the completion of the onboarding strategy for the Whole of Australian Government coding service.
3.2 Data collection effort and respondent experience		3.2 Data collection effort and respondent experience		Retained	Not applicable
	Method 1: Total time taken for survey respondents to complete business surveys		Method 1: Total time taken for survey respondents to complete business surveys	Retained	Not applicable
	Method 2: Percentage of households responding online		Method 2: Percentage of households responding online	Retained	Not applicable