Data improvements
Last updated: 5 July 2024
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety made recommendations related to improving the quality, coverage and availability of aged care data. The Department of Health and Aged Care and AIHW have partnered to develop:
| National Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy |
Following initial feedback that the data and digital strategy should be considered in tandem, the initially two separate strategies on data and digital elements have been combined. The Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy outlines the Department of Health and Aged Care’s approach to developing data and digital foundations for the aged care systems. The Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy and the Action Plan were launched in July 2024 and are available via the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website: Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy 2024 – 2029 |
| Aged Care National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) | The NMDS is a core set of standardised data elements agreed for mandatory collection and reporting at a national level about aged care. The data items are available for download. |
| National Aged Care Data Asset (NACDA) |
The data asset aims to bring together de-identified person-level data collected across aged care, health and community service settings for aged care research purposes. |
What is our goal?
These activities are focused on ensuring that people have access to the right data to make informed decisions about aged care.
Each user of aged care data has a different perspective in this. It is critical that the aged care data system meets the needs of people using aged care (and their representatives), the providers and services delivering care, as well as other data users, particular governments and researchers.
What is happening next?
The timeline below shows the broad approach we are taking to prioritise, consult on and ultimately implement aged care data improvements.
Over the next few years, we are working towards target dates to progress each component of the work:
|
Component |
Activity |
Target date |
|
National Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy |
Consultation (round 1) on core elements of the strategy |
Late 2022 |
|
Consultation (round 2) on draft strategy |
Mid 2023 |
|
|
Aged Care strategy – exposure draft released |
End 2023 |
|
|
Public release of National Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy and Action Plan |
2024 |
|
|
Aged Care National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) |
Finalising scope and priorities for the NMDS V1.0 (NMDS 2023–24) |
Mid 2022 |
|
Consultation and data development work |
2023 |
|
|
Public release of NMDS V1.0 (NMDS 2023–24) |
July 2023 |
|
|
Finalising scope and priorities for the NMDS V2.0 (NMDS 2024–25) |
2023–24 |
|
|
Consultation and data development work |
Ongoing |
|
|
Public release of NMDS V2.0 (NMDS 2024–25) |
December 2024 |
|
|
Finalising scope and priorities for the NMDS V3.0 (NMDS 2025–26) |
2025 |
|
|
Consultation and data development work |
Ongoing |
|
|
Public release of NMDS V3.0 (NMDS 2025–26) |
2025 |
|
|
National Aged Care Data Asset |
AIHW Ethics Committee approval for establishment |
Late 2022 |
|
First iteration of data asset available for researchers to access via AIHW’s National Health Data Hub |
July 2024 |
|
|
Publish preliminary analysis of data asset as a data resource profile |
End 2024 |
|
|
Consultation on further expansion and governance of the data asset |
Ongoing |
How will the NMDS be implemented?
The Aged Care NMDS V1.0 data standards were released via METEOR in June 2023. An updated version (NMDS V1.1) was released via METEOR in January 2024 with small technical revisions to the following 2 data elements:
- Address—physical address indicator, yes/no/not applicable/unknown/not stated/inadequately described code N[N] (787909) (in the Aged care address cluster (775085));
- Person—informal carer existence indicator, yes/no/not applicable/unknown/not stated/inadequately described code N[N] (787901).
In recognition of the impact on the sector, the data standards will be implemented progressively from July 2023 onwards, with work first focused on aligning internal processes within the Department of Health and Aged care with the data standards.
A PDF copy of the Aged Care NMDS V1.1 data standards are also available for download here. The factsheet below outlines a quick introduction to the NMDS and its implementation.
What have we learned so far?
We have built our understanding of exactly what data improvement is needed and what the priorities are. We have been consulting widely with the aged care sector, and seeking advice and input from government, aged care providers, peak bodies, researchers and the public. In early 2022, we circulated an issues paper and survey.
The feedback we heard has informed our understanding of data gaps and where data improvement is most needed. Find out more about what we have learnt from our initial consultations here:
In late 2022, our consultation activities focused on the core elements of the data strategy. We heard from over 400 stakeholders representing aged care providers, researchers and consumers, as well as other organisations. These insights are helping to inform the Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy. This work is summarised in the document below and reflected in the draft data and digital strategy and NMDS data standards.
Your personal information is protected by law, including the Privacy Act 1988. The AIHW may collect your personal information in support of these aged care data improvement activities.
The information you provide in response to this issues paper will be used by the AIHW and shared with other parties for these purposes, however your personal information will only be shared where you have agreed or it is required or authorised by law.
You can obtain more information about the way in which the AIHW will manage your personal information in our Privacy Policy at aihw.gov.au/about-us/privacy-policy.
How can I access the National Aged Care Data Asset?
The National Aged Care Data Asset (NACDA) is now available for researchers to access via the National Health Data Hub. For more information, visit the NACDA webpage.