Data linkage information for study participants

What is data linkage?

Data linkage is the process of combining various data sources to produce a more complete picture of what has been happening in your life.

With your permission, we’d like to link your data to some other data sources to expand the range and improve the quality of data we collect. Linking your responses with existing data also means we can ask fewer questions in the survey, saving time for you.

You can’t be identified when our researchers do this. This wider perspective allows us to further examine when government data is combined with demographic, social and health information.

How data linkage works

Fieldwork providers collect primary data from you through surveys and interviews. Your data is then linked with administrative records such as university and Vocational Education Training (VET).

The linked data is then integrated into a single dataset, allowing researchers to conduct more robust analyses which helps to:

• identify key issues and trends
• inform policy development
• evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and services.

What data is being linked?

In the Growing Up in Australia study, a variety of data sources are linked to provide better insights into your wellbeing and development. These data sources vary between the studies but may include:

• Services Australia - Centrelink data.
• University and VET (Vocational Education and Training) studies

Growing Up in Australia and data linkage

This year as part of the survey, we will be asking your consent to link your survey data to relevant government data.

We follow a strict process to ensure your data remains safe and separate from your survey results in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.