Technical reports

The National Health Data Dictionary (NHDD) provides national data standards for the health sector. This version (Version 16.1) reflects changes to data standards between May 2012 and the end of June 2013. Six national minimum data sets, 5 data set specifications, 61 data elements, 4 classification schemes and 5 glossary items have been added to the NHDD. Eighteen national minimum data sets, 15 data set specifications, 89 data elements, 6 classification schemes and 5 glossary items have been superseded or retired since the previous version of the NHDD (Version 16) was published.

The National Health Data Dictionary (NHDD) provides national data standards for the health sector. This version (Version 16.2) reflects changes to data standards between July 2013 and June 2014. Eight national minimum data sets, 12 data set specifications, 16 data element clusters, 174 data elements, 13 classification schemes and 13 glossary items have been added to the NHDD. Nine national minimum data sets, 4 data set specifications, 7 data element clusters, 64 data elements, 1 classification schemes and 1 glossary item have been superseded and 12 data elements have been retired since the previous version of the NHDD (Version 16.1) was published.

The National Community Services Data Dictionary (NCSDD) provides national data standards for the community services sector. This latest version (version 8) reflects changes to data standards between July 2012 and end-April 2014. Two data set specifications, 2 data element clusters, 96 data elements, 2 classifications and 8 glossary items have been added to the NCSDD. One national minimum data set, 3 data elements and 2 classifications have been superseded since the previous version of the NCSDD (version 7) was published.

This document provides guidance on engaging with the national processes responsible for health information and data standards. It has been developed to ensure data collected are consistent, accurate and useful for policy, planning and program management.

The National housing and homelessness data dictionary (NHHDD) provides national standards for the housing and homelessness sector. The dictionary replaces the National housing assistance data dictionary (NHADD) which was last published in 2006. It includes data set specifications and data elements for Specialist Homelessness Services, public housing, state owned and managed Indigenous housing, community housing, Indigenous community housing, home purchase assistance, and private rent assistance.

The National Health Data Dictionary provides national standards for the broader health sector. This update reflects changes to data standards between 1 July 2010 and 30 April 2012. During this time 10 data set specifications, 23 data element clusters, 177 data elements, one classification and 20 glossary items have been added. Twelve national minimum data sets, two data set specifications, 96 data elements, five classifications and three glossary items have been superseded, and three national standards have been retired since version 15 of the NHDD was published.

The National Community Services Data Dictionary (NCSDD) provides national standards for the broader community services sector. This latest version reflects changes to data standards between July 2010 and June 2012. Five data set specifications, 78 data elements, four classifications and five glossary items have been added to the dictionary. Two national minimum data sets, two data element clusters, 58 data elements and four classifications have been superseded, and six national minimum data sets retired since the previous version of the NCSDD was published.

The National Community Services Data Dictionary (NCSDD) (including national minimum data sets (NMDS)) purpose is to provide national standards on the community services reporting framework for both statistical and clinical analysis which provides meaningful input to community discussion and public policy debate on community services issues in Australia, as part of the METeOR metadata online registry. The Dictionary is available online at http://meteor.aihw.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/274816. This version confirms to international standard ISO/IEC 11179 Information Technology Metadata Registries (MDR), 2003.

The July 2010 revision to the National Health Data Dictionary (NHDD) including national minimum data sets (NMDS) has now been released and is available on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) website. As part of the METeOR metadata online registry, the dictionary's purpose is to provide national standards on the health reporting framework for both statistical and clinical analysis which provides meaningful input to community discussion and public policy debate on health issues in Australia. The Dictionary is available online at http://meteor.aihw.gov.au. This version confirms to international standard ISO/IEC 11179 Information Technology Metadata Registries (MDR), 2003.

The National community services data dictionary (the NCSDD) is a national resource which community services authorities use to ensure the consistency and comparability of all data collected under the scope of the National Community Services Information Agreement (NCSIA). The data dictionary contains definitions and value domains that are endorsed as national standards for use by those collecting community services data in Australia.Version 5 has been downloaded from METeOR which is an internet registry for development, registration and dissemination of metadata based on the latest version of the international standard ISO/IEC 11179 Information technology-Metadata registries (MDR) in 2003. The Dictionary is available online at <meteor.aihw.gov.au>.The data dictionary is an important resource for people involved in designing and building data collections, conducting research and evaluation activities.