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A-PLIDA-nalysis: Using PLIDA for public policy research and reporting

Research paper

Released 27 / 11 / 2024

This paper provides an overview of the Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) from a user perspective. It takes a case study approach to identifying the strengths and limitations of PLIDA for different areas of Australian public policy research and reporting. It also notes emerging directions that stand to enable greater use by researchers over time.

Key points

  • Linked administrative data has become an important resource for public policy research, offering insights into how policy settings can impact individual, household, and company behaviour.
  • The Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) is a linked administrative data asset managed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). PLIDA provides secure access to deidentified data on the Australian population across a range public policy areas like health, education, employment, taxation, government transfer payments, and population demographics.
  • PLIDA presents a number of opportunities for the research and reporting functions of the Productivity Commission (PC). Additional opportunities can become available by linking PLIDA with other large administrative and survey datasets, such as the ABS’s business focused data asset, the Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment (BLADE).
  • Recent directions towards inclusion of state and territory data will further increase the range of research possibilities offered by PLIDA.
  • Ongoing efforts to increase code sharing, and the introduction of Core modules, promise to lower entry costs for new PLIDA users, encouraging greater use of the data asset over time.

Media requests

Media team – 02 6240 3330 / media@pc.gov.au

Contents

  • Preliminaries: Cover, Copyright and publication detail, Contents and Acknowledgements
  • Key points
  • 1. Administrative data is a growing evidence base for public policy analysis
  • 2. PLIDA offers important insights into a range of policy areas
  • 3. Understanding PLIDA is essential for productive use
  • 4. Navigating some of PLIDA’s limitations
  • 5. Ongoing development continues to support better access and greater use
  • Appendix A – PLIDA data items
  • Appendix B – Who has produced what?
  • Abbreviations
  • References

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