ABS Data Strategy 2021-22 to 2025

With consultation across the ABS, this strategy was designed as an overarching approach to support the organisation to maximise the value of data. This strategy:

• Sets out the ABS vision to maximise the value of data across the organisation and lead in big data use
• Defines principles and objectives to achieve this vision
• Explains why the priority components are important and how they help us get closer to our vision
• Identifies initiatives for action under the strategy
• Creates accountability for progress by setting out governance and measures for success.

This strategy is one of the ABS’ enabling strategies that supports the overall ABS purpose. This strategy supports the Enterprise Strategy and sits alongside other enabling strategies however:

• This is not a whole of government nor a whole of Australian Public Service (APS) data strategy
• This is not an enterprise or business strategy or a Corporate Plan
• This is not an information management strategy
• This is not an ICT strategy to advance digitalisation of our processes and services, but it recognises that technology is fundamental to maximising the value of data
• This is not a people capability or workforce strategy, but it recognises that generating value from data involves everyone.

Data have always been a core part of ABS operations, however over the last decade Government entities have recognised that making better use of their data can improve their ability to develop public policy, deliver services, and address complex challenges.

There has also been an enormous increase in data held by the ABS. Technological advances have increased our capacity to acquire, process, store and provide access to data. At the same time, public and business expectations of government have changed. The volume of data available, and the ease with which anyone can produce and disseminate false information, have increased concerns about privacy, and generally reduced trust in institutions.

In recognition of this, a range of activities across the APS and the ABS aim to maximise the value of public sector data, while meeting community expectations. The diagram below provides a snapshot of some key APS and ABS data activities over the last 15 years.

Looking at the ABS operating context out to 2025, the strategy reflects the changing nature of our business and identifies a range of drivers and opportunities that affect our use of data in our day-to-day work.

The ABS’ purpose is to inform Australia’s important decisions by delivering relevant, trusted and objective data, statistics and insights.

We tell the real story of Australia, its economy and its people by bringing life and meaning to numbers. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what data can do for Australian communities, businesses and Governments.

✔ Our vision statement defines our ambition: to maximise the value of data internally to deliver value externally

✔ A clear direction to focus on big data and to lead in its use

✔ It is not about data for its own sake, but to help us to deliver official statistics, insights and data services and fulfil our purpose

✔ This strategy outlines how we can move closer to this vision, by outlining priority areas for 2021–22 and a framework to move us toward 2025.

The following components were identified during consultations as strategic priorities for 2021–22 and were endorsed by the ABS Executive Board. These components are mutually reinforcing and will help us set our foundations to maximise use of data to deliver greater public value. Data Strategy priorities will be re-assessed annually and other components will be a focus in future years.

The first year of the ABS Data Strategy over 2021–22 will set our foundations and progress across priority areas. The Data Strategy will be reviewed and adjusted each year as we move towards our vision.

The ABS Data Strategy is an enabling strategy in the broader ABS Enterprise Planning Framework.