The DataLab of the Australian Bureau of Statistics

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8462.12246
• Author: Talei Parker
• Date: 01 December 2017
• Published date: 01 December 2017

Data Survey

The DataLab of the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Talei Parker*

Abstract

Over and above the current multitude of licensed

micro-level datasets that the Australian Bureau

of Statistics (ABS) provides for research pur-

poses, the ABS has expanded its support to

include the new DataLab protected research

environment to allow unparalleled access to

Australia’s valuable micro-level research data-

sets. The environment is highly protected by

multiple layers of data security but allows access

to unprecedented levels of data detail in real-

time to datasets such as the 2006–2011 linked

census (ACLD), the ABS f‌irm survey and tax

panel (BLADE) and linked census and adminis-

trative data (MADIP).

1. Introduction

Australia’soff‌icialnational statistical agency, the

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), provides

academics and researchers access to microdata

by way of the widely known conf‌idential unit

record f‌iles (or CURFs) via CD-ROM, the

Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL) and

the ABS Data Laboratory (ABSDL, onsite). The

ABS also provides two TableBuilder products,

online tools for creating tables, graphs and maps

using ABS microdata. These microdata f‌iles

are ‘licensed’, as opposed to ‘public use’,aseach

organisation, and its individual staff, is required

to sign relevant undertakings assuring it will

abide by prescribed conditions of use (under

the Census and Statistics Act 1905 (Cwlth) and

the Statistics Determination 1983). Recently the

ABS has expanded its microdata product suite

by offering the DataLab protected research

environment, which for the f‌irst time allows

researchers to have unparalleled access to pro-

tected ABS datasets.

2. The DataLab

Essentially,the DataLab is a data analysis solut-

ion for high-end data users whowant to extract

full value from ABS microdatain an interactive

(real time) environment. All ABS microdata f‌iles,

ranging from basic and expanded CURFs through

to detailed and integrated f‌iles, are accessible via

the DataLab, providing a more responsive and

interactive environment than that offered by

RADL and TableBuilder. The DataLab can be

accessed securely on-site at ABS off‌icesoraspart

of the virtual DataLab trial program.

The DataLab was designed in late 2015 to

improve access to ABS microdata, enhance

* Customised and Microdata Delivery Section, Dissemi-

nation Branch, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian

Capital Territory 2617 Australia; email <talei.parker@

abs.gov.au>.

The Australian Economic Review, vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 478–83

°

C2017 Commonwealth of Australia. Australian Economic Review °

C2017 The University of Melbourne,

Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research Published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd