Supporting research and protecting confidentiality. ABS microdata access: Current strategies and future directions

Abstract

Access to microdata for social and economic research and analysis is a key part of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) mission to encourage informed decision making, research and discussion. Since 1985, the ABS has been making microdata available for statistical purposes in the form of Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs). Microdata use is governed by the requirement to protect respondent confidentiality, as enshrined in the Australian Census and Statistics Act 1905. Confidentialisation of the data prior to its release is the foremost ABS strategy to protect respondent confidentiality. To date, ABS policy provides that the most highly confidentialised Basic CURFs are available through the least controlled CD-ROM mode; the more detailed Expanded CURFs are accessible through the more controlled Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL); and the most detailed Specialist CURFs are available only through the ABS Data Laboratory (ABSDL) in ABS Offices. In 2009 ABS commenced a long term project that will meet user demand for access to more detailed unit record data, across a wider array of datasets and through means that are more flexible than the current services. Development of a Survey Table Builder is underway, to be followed by a new microdata analysis service.