For Data Users
The Population Health Research Network (PHRN) has been funded to provide researchers in Australia with access to linked health and health related data within and across jurisdictions and sectors, with the ultimate aim to improve health and well-being and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of health services.
PHRN funding is being used to establish four new state/territory data linkage units in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia/Northern Territory that will complement the existing units in Western Australia and New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory. A national data linkage unit based in Perth, the Centre for Data Linkage (CDL), has also been established to enable national projects linking data from across states and territories to be undertaken.
There has been significant progress in the development of the new data linkage units which are already linking data from within their state/territory.
In addition, the CDL is currently undertaking a Proof of Concept collaboration to test the various components of the national data linkage system using hospital admissions and death data from NSW and WA.
A second collaboration is being designed to test other components of the national data linkage system.
The PHRN is also developing the Secure Unified Research Environment (SURE) facility that will allow researchers to remotely access and analyse the approved data extracts provided by data custodians for their research project. Read more
HOW TO APPLY FOR DATA
Linkage projects involving data from a single jurisdiction
Researchers wishing to undertake research projects using linked data from one jurisdiction are required to apply through the Data Linkage Unit relevant to that jurisdiction.
Whilst approval requirements are similar, each Data Linkage Unit has its own set of policies, processes and forms and researchers are directed to contact them directly.
Their websites are provided below.
- New South Wales/ Australian Capital Territory: Centre for Health Record Linkage
- Queensland: Health LinQ
- South Australia/ Northern Territory: SA-NT DataLink
- Tasmania: Tasmanian Data Linkage Unit
- Victoria: Victorian Data Linkages
- Western Australia: WA Data Linkage Branch
Linkage projects involving data from two or more jurisdictions
Researchers wishing to undertake research projects using data from two or more jurisdictions will be required to apply directly through the PHRN Program Office. The Program Office will coordinate the complex task of obtaining approvals from the relevant Data Linkage Units, data custodians and HRECs in each jurisdiction involved as well as manage the preparation of national and project-specific linkage keys by the Centre for Data Linkage.
TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST - Read more
