Statistics requests by outside organisations 104-04080040

Due to the sensitivity of Services Australia's data, staff should direct any external organisation who is requesting statistical data relating to Services Australia customers, payments and services to the Business Intelligence and Performance Branch mailbox.

Generally, all requests involving the external release of statistical information to a third party are firstly assessed against legislation and privacy principles. Bilateral Agreements with partner policy agencies to determine if the information can be lawfully disclosed for a secondary purpose. The Business Intelligence and Performance Branch has responsibility for working with our policy departments, for example, Department of Health and Aged Care and Department of Social Services around the decision to release information and obtaining appropriate approvals and authorisations.

Templates have been developed to assist with accurately specifying requirements from external organisations. When a request is received via the mailbox, the team will send a template to the requestor for completion.

External requests for health information are assessed by the 'External Request Evaluation Committee (EREC)'.

EREC has the responsibility of assessing external information requests to use health data for:

• research
• health service planning or other purposes
• approving consent studies
• publications where Medicare data was used
• the release of statistical information and advising the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) delegate about the release of information that might lead to the identification of individuals (that is: de-identified unit record requests)

The committee’s membership comprises of either Services Australia and DoHAC EL2 staff, or their delegates. Under the Information Management and Release Protocol in place between the DoHAC and Services Australia, the DoHAC must approve the release of all data relating to Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and other health program datasets.

A fee may be charged for an external request for statistical or other information. If there is a fee payable the Business Intelligence and Performance Branch will advise the amount payable before extraction occurs.

Outside organisations should send any requests by email.