ABS contributes data to international research projects, where data may be collected and harmonised from many countries allowing international comparisons to be made. The following international studies, which include ABS microdata, are available for Australian researchers.


LUXEMBOURG INCOME STUDY

The Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) is a cross-national data archive located in Luxembourg. LIS is a depository for anonymised household survey microdata provided by international agencies. The range of household income data surveys represented in LIS includes ABS Income and Housing Costs microdata. Microdata from all international collections included in LIS have been adjusted to provide income, demographic, labour market and expenditure information on three different levels: household, person and child. Almost all the microdata files in LIS cover multiple reference periods.

Australian researchers can apply for access access to LIS data. Access is subject to users registering to use LIS through signing an annual pledge and submitting this to LIS. To apply for access to LIS, see the Luxembourg Income Study website.


PROGRAMME FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF ADULT COMPETENCIES

The 2011-2012 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an international survey coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD published a comprehensive International Report on 8 October 2013. Access is provided free of charge to an online Data Explorer tool, with which it is possible to design and create output in the form of tables and graphs. Security measures will ensure the confidentiality of survey respondents. A Public Use Data File is also provided free of charge, which contains unit record files of participating countries which can be used to perform analysis. These outputs are available from the OECD website at www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/. Australian data is included in the Data Explorer but not in the OECD Public Use Data File. The PIAAC Basic CURF (International Comparison version) is available in a format that can be used to analyse Australian data in conjunction with the International data available on the OECD Public Use Data File. To apply for access to the Australian data (International comparison version) on Basic CURF, see How to apply. You will need to register and then request access to MicrodataDownload to access the PIAAC Basic CURF.