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Home Research programs Defence and Veteran Family Research Family Wellbeing Study

Apply to access data

Eligibility

You may apply for data access if you are:  

  • a researcher or post-graduate student, and
  • affiliated with a:
    • university
    • recognised research institute
    • government department or agency
    • peak body
    • not-for-profit organisation.  

Eligible projects

Projects must:  

  • serve the public good
  • be scientifically and ethically sound, and
  • contribute to research knowledge about the wellbeing of Australian Defence Force members and their families.  

Projects undertaken for commercial or for-profit purposes are not eligible. 

These eligibility requirements are intended to support responsible use of the data while ensuring access is provided to projects with a clear research purpose and an appropriate institutional base.

Researchers are encouraged to consider whether their project aligns with the aims and scope of the dataset, and whether the Family Wellbeing Study is the most appropriate data source for the research questions being investigated.

Conditions of use

Approved data users must comply with the:

These conditions support ongoing participant privacy, data security, and responsible use of the data.

Access to the de‑identified dataset is limited to the approved users named in the application.

These conditions are an important part of maintaining trust in the use of the dataset and ensuring that participant information remains protected throughout the research process. They also support consistent expectations for data handling, security, and appropriate use across all approved projects.

How to apply

To apply for access, complete a Data Access Request form and submit it to: [email protected].  

Approved applicants will also be required to complete a Data User Agreement and a Confidentiality Deed Poll before data are released.

Existing approved users who need to update project details should email the relevant changes to: [email protected].  

Researchers are encouraged to review the available documentation before submitting an application to ensure proposals are well scoped and clearly aligned with the dataset.  

Application review

All applications undergo an initial technical and administrative review to assess completeness, eligibility, and general feasibility. Eligible applications are then considered by the Data Access Review Committee.

Applications are assessed against criteria including:

  • public benefit and alignment with the original Family Wellbeing Study objectives
  • suitability of the data for the proposed use
  • clarity and feasibility of the research questions
  • appropriateness of the methodology
  • affiliation with a research or government organisation
  • plans for data security and confidentiality.

In particular, applications are assessed on whether they:

  • demonstrate a clear and feasible research plan
  • use appropriate and sound analytical methods
  • apply best‑practice principles for handling de‑identified research data
  • include planning for the ongoing security of the dataset while in use.

What makes a strong application

A strong application clearly explains:

  • the purpose of the project
  • why the Family Wellbeing Study data is suitable
  • how the research will be conducted securely and responsibly.

The review process supports consistent access decisions and ensures approved projects meet the obligations associated with handling participant information. Researchers may therefore benefit from framing applications carefully, showing a clear fit between research questions, methodology, and the available data.

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