Data services and APIs

Latest release
Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3
Cite
Reference period
July 2021 - June 2026

ASGS geospatial data services, or web services, and APIs allow access to the most up to date Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) digital boundaries and data without needing to store them. Data services are available for all ASGS boundaries as they are published. Some common uses for data services are mobile apps, custom geospatial web applications and infrastructure, online mapping applications (for example ArcGIS Online) and desktop mapping applications.

Choosing a data service

For guidance on choosing the correct boundary for your purposes, see the Using the ASGS section of this publication.

ASGS geospatial web service boundaries are available in three different forms – full, generalised and point layers.

  • Full ASGS layers are identical to the boundaries available for download in Shapefile and GeoPackage formats.
  • Generalised layers have been generalised to 0.000025° or 2.5m. These layers are most suitable for use in mapping applications where precision is not paramount. For example, if the map will be zoomed out to the whole of Australia, the decreased precision of a generalised layer may help your application to run faster without compromising the required level of map detail.
  • Point layers provide points for each record in a geography, along with all the associated attributes. Please note that some multi-part boundaries (for example Other Territories) may be represented by multiple points.

ASGS Web Linked Dataset services are available for use in Web Linked Data applications, including the Location Index which provides a simple, fast, robust and repeatable method for linking data using location. More information about the Location Index is available at Location Index (ga.gov.au).

How to use ASGS geospatial web services

The ASGS geospatial web services are provided as ArcGIS RESTful services and can be used in a variety of mapping software packages. Please refer to your software provider's instructions on how to import a web service. 

To open ASGS geospatial web services in Google Earth, select the relevant boundary from ASGS web service links and scroll to the bottom of the page. Select 'Generate KML' then create a document name when prompted. Choose 'Vector layers as vectors and raster layers as images' and then click 'Generate KML'. This will download a temporary file that can be opened using Google Earth. This type of file cannot be used offline. Desktop GIS applications can be used to create offline KML files.

The ASGS geospatial web services and ASGS Web Linked Dataset services can also be accessed via APIs for use by developers.

ASGS geospatial web service links

Edition 3 (2021)
Structure nameASGS geographyReference DateURL 
Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical AreasAustralia (AUS)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/AUS/MapServer
 State and Territory (S/T)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/STE/MapServer
 Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/GCCSA/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 4 (SA4s)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SA4/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 3 (SA3s)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SA3/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SA2/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1s)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SA1/MapServer
 Mesh Blocks (MBs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/MB/MapServer
Indigenous StructureIndigenous Regions (IREGs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/IREG/MapServer
 Indigenous Areas (IAREs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/IARE/MapServer
 Indigenous Locations (ILOCs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/ILOC/MapServer
Significant Urban Areas, Urban Centres and Localities, Section of State and Section of State RangeSignificant Urban Areas (SUAs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SUA/MapServer
 Urban Centres and Localities (UCLs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/UCL/MapServer
 Section of State (SOS)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SOS/MapServer
 Section of State Range (SOSR)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SOSR/MapServer
Remoteness StructureRemoteness Areas (RAs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/RA/MapServer
Non ABS StructuresLocal Government Areas (LGAs)2024https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2024/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2023https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2023/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2022https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2022/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/LGA/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2024https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2024/SED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2022https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2022/SED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SED/MapServer
 Commonwealth Electoral Divisions (CEDs)2024https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2024/CED/MapServer
 Commonwealth Electoral Divisions (CEDs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/CED/MapServer
 Postal Areas (POAs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/POA/MapServer
 Tourism Regions (TRs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/TR/MapServer
 Australian Drainage Divisions (ADDs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/ADD/MapServer
 Suburbs and Localities (SALs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/SAL/MapServer
 Destination Zones (DZNs)2021https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2021/DZN/MapServer
Edition 2 (2016)
Structure nameASGS geographyReference DateURL
Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical AreasAustralia (AUS)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/AUS/MapServer
 State and Territory (STE)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/STATE/MapServer
 Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/GCCSA/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 4 (SA4s)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SA4/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 3 (SA3s)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SA3/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SA2/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1s)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SA1/MapServer
 Mesh Blocks (MBs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/MB/MapServer
Indigenous StructureIndigenous Regions (IREGs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/IREG/MapServer
 Indigenous Areas (IAREs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/IARE/MapServer
 Indigenous Locations (ILOCs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/ILOC/MapServer
Significant Urban Areas, Urban Centres and Localities and Section of StateSignificant Urban Areas (SUAs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SUA/MapServer
 Urban Centres and Localities (UCLs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/UCL/MapServer
 Section of State (SOS)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SOS/MapServer
 Section of State Range (SOSR)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SOSR/MapServer
Remoteness StructureRemoteness Areas (RAs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/RA/MapServer
Non ABS StructuresCommonwealth Electoral Divisions (CEDs)2018https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2018/CED/MapServer
 Commonwealth Electoral Divisions (CEDs)2017https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2017/CED/MapServer
 Commonwealth Electoral Divisions (CEDs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/CED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2020https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2020/SED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2019https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2019/SED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2018https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2018/SED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2017https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2017/SED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SED/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2020https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2020/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2019https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2019/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2018https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2018/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2017https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2017/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/LGA/MapServer
 Postal Areas (POAs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/POA/MapServer
 State Suburbs (SSCs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/SSC/MapServer
 Australian Drainage Divisions (ADDs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/ADD/MapServer
 National Resource Management Regions (NRMRs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/NRMR/MapServer
 Tourism Regions (TRs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/TR/MapServer
Not applicableDestination Zones (DZNs)2016https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2016/DZN/MapServer
Edition 1 (2011)
Structure nameASGS geographyReference dateURL
Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical AreasAustralia (AUS)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/AUST/MapServer
 State and Territory (STE)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/STE/MapServer
 Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/GCCSA/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 4 (SA4s)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SA4/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 3 (SA3s)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SA3/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SA2/MapServer
 Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1s)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SA1/MapServer
 Mesh Blocks (MBs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/MB/MapServer
Indigenous StructureIndigenous Regions (IREGs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/IREG/MapServer
 Indigenous Areas (IAREs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/IARE/MapServer
 Indigenous Locations (ILOCs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/ILOC/MapServer
Significant Urban Areas, Urban Centres and Localities and Section of StateSignificant Urban Areas (SUAs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SUA/MapServer
 Urban Centres and Localities (UCLs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/UCL/MapServer
 Section of State (SOS)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SOS/MapServer
 Section of State Range (SOSR)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SOSR/MapServer
Remoteness StructureRemoteness Areas (RAs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/RA/MapServer
Non ABS StructuresCommonwealth Electoral Divisions (CEDs)2012https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2012/CED/MapServer
 Commonwealth Electoral Divisions (CEDs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/CED/MapServer
 State Electoral Divisions (SEDs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SED/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2015https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2015/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2014https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2014/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2013https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2013/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2012https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2012/LGA/MapServer
 Local Government Areas (LGAs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/LGA/MapServer
 Postal Area (POAs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/POA/MapServer
 State Suburb (SSCs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/SSC/MapServer
 Australian Drainage Division (ADDs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/ADD/MapServer
 Natural Resource Management Regions (NRMRs)2011https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2011/NRMR/MapServer
 Tourism Regions (TRs)2015https://geo.abs.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/ASGS2015/TR/MapServer