Performance information

The Commonwealth Performance Framework, established under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, encompasses a cycle of performance planning, monitoring and reporting. The Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) and Corporate Plan are our key forward planning publications and outline how we will measure and assess our performance. The Annual Report is our primary reporting publication and provides the assessment of our performance and achievements.

The ABS Enterprise Performance Framework outlines our approach to meeting our legislative requirements, the Commonwealth Performance Framework and other guidance material.

We regularly review our performance measures to ensure they reflect our purpose and remain relevant and appropriate. The changes made to performance information for this Corporate Plan are detailed in the changes to performance measures page.  

ABS data informs important decisions made by government, business, and the community. It underpins sound fiscal and monetary policy decisions and informs the delivery of programs and services vital to the health and wellbeing of the people of Australia. ABS data also supports a functioning democracy, contributing to fair electoral boundaries and informed community debate.

It is imperative that the ABS maintains a high level of trust in both the institution and the statistics that are produced to ensure survey response rates are maintained and ensure ABS statistics continue to be the preferred source of data for Australia’s important decisions.

The assurance that the ABS consistently meets international standards set by an independent body, in this instance the International Monetary Fund (IMF), results in a high degree of trust in the quality and impartiality of ABS statistics, along with the ability to confidently compare Australia’s results to international comparators. 

Meeting the standards also reflects the timeliness with which the ABS produces specific statistics. The use of ABS statistics to inform important government, business, and household decisions is demonstrated through the regular use by government of these statistics.

Information from the Census of Population and Housing (the Census) helps governments, businesses and not for profit organisations across the country make informed decisions. The Census improves the accuracy of population estimates for Australia in each state, territory, and local government area. It informs decisions on electoral boundaries and underpins funding to states, territories and local governments. It informs decisions for services and infrastructure such as roads, childcare, hospitals and schools for every community in Australia. The Census is also a vital tool for a myriad of investment decisions made by businesses across all sectors of the economy and is used by community groups to inform support for some of the most vulnerable people in Australia.

Measurement of access to ABS data and statistics indicates demand for ABS data. There are five key channels for media, academics, government, and the public to access ABS data. The increasing use of these data sources indicate continued trust in ABS data by stakeholders and the public. 

Measurement of the use of these channels allows the ABS to assess how different groups interact with ABS data. Different users come to the ABS for a variety of reasons; the information they seek to address their needs can be as simple as a single number, or as complex as statistical analysis.  

The Secure Environment for Analysing Data (SEAD) was designed to meet demand for secure cloud-based data access services across the Australian Government, facilitating policy and research outcomes. Measuring the adoption of SEAD services provides insight into how the ABS supports capability uplift across other official bodies by enabling them to make better use of their data. 

The ABS leads the APS Data Profession, with the Australian Statistician serving as Head of Profession. The Data Profession strengthens data capability of the APS data workforce through defining data capabilities, creating career pathways and development opportunities. It also focuses on enabling the APS to attract, develop and retain the data capabilities needed to capitalise on the rapid growth in the availability and use of data. 

The ABS pursues innovative solutions to make the collection of statistical information more efficient for the agency, as well as less burdensome for data providers. Multiple initiatives are currently being pursued. One of these, the Whole of Australian Government Coding service, will deliver efficiencies through automated and standardised coding, reducing the inputs required to produce its diverse suite of high-quality statistical products. 

The principal objective of the ABS for providers is to impose the lowest possible burden while continuing to provide government and the community with high-quality statistics. We frequently review data collection methods to ensure we collect information efficiently and are increasing the use of administrative data, including data collected by government and businesses, to reduce the need to conduct surveys.

This performance measure demonstrates the ABS’ priority to reduce provider burden and deliver on the commitment made to the Government to reduce total hours of respondent burden.