Find out about how we are continually improving our website
Our website has been designed to make it easier for you to find the data you need. We are committed to the continual improvement of your experience. This page is regularly updated based on your questions and feedback.
For the best website experience and improved online security, we recommend using the following desktop browsers.
The most current and previous two versions of these browsers are currently supported.
We have updated our web address structures to make them more predictable and user friendly.
You may need to update your bookmarks, macros and systems. You can see examples of the new web address structures below.
Format: abs.gov.au/statistics/theme/parent-topic/topic/latest-release
Example: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/national-accounts/australian-national-accounts-national-income-expenditure-and-product/latest-release
Note: This added feature of latest-release allows you to bookmark a specific topic URL and always be taken to the latest statistics
Format: abs.gov.au/statistics/theme/parent-topic/topic/reference-period
Example: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/national-accounts/australian-national-accounts-national-income-expenditure-and-product/mar-2020
Format: abs.gov.au/statistics/theme/parent-topic/topic/latest-release/filename.xls
Example: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia/latest-release/6202001.xls
Note: The use of latest-release in the above format is only intended for Time Series Spreadsheets, and may not work for other file types. Any file name containing a reference period component cannot be bookmarked using latest-release
Example: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/building-and-construction/building-activity-australia/jun-2020/87520DO001_202006.xls
From 3 December 2021, the ABS began transitioning to Excel files in .XLSX format. This means that spreadsheets in new statistical releases will be progressively upgraded from .XLS files to .XLSX files.
While this change will improve usability, it may also require changes to automated macros or similar programs that users may have in place that call on the current file extension format.
Previously released spreadsheets will not change.
ABS.Stat (beta) API (https://stat.data.abs.gov.au) has been replaced by the new ABS Data API. ABS Data API User Guide has detailed information and worked examples for the new API.
Data APIs enable fast access to ABS statistics by using machine to machine 'API calls'. These calls return statistics in a machine friendly format so that you can integrate data into your own systems as they are released.
The ABS Data API includes a variety of fixes and improvements, including;
Please note, in the short term the release of new data through ABS Data APIs and Data Explorer will still be delayed after the data is available through the ABS Website.
API keys are optional but recommended for the ABS Data API. To request an API key and register to be notified about ongoing API improvements, please get in contact with us at api.data@abs.gov.au.
We have updated our guidance on citing to help with referencing data. This is a suggested guide, indicating key elements to include when referencing ABS sources.
Catalogue numbers are still available but no longer appear in release titles. You can still search for releases using catalogue numbers. Our monthly release calendar shows the catalogue numbers for upcoming releases. ABS catalogue numbers are also included at the bottom of every topic page.
We are working to improve the way content on pages prints from your browser. Currently when you print a page content can extend across pages which can cause graphs and tables not to display in full. To ensure all graph and table content is included when you print you can adjust the scale of the page.
We suggest changing the scale of a page from 100% to 80%, this will reduce the size of the content allowing the graphs and tables to print correctly. You do this by clicking print from your browser settings typically found in the top right corner of the page and changing the scale. Depending on your browser the scale may be adjusted within the advanced settings.
We encourage you to provide your feedback as we continue to improve our website into the future. You can provide feedback using the feedback buttons. These are located on the right-hand side of each page and within the page footer. Contact us if you have any questions about the changes we are making.