The National Disability Data Asset pilot aimed to demonstrate the value of the asset. Five public policy test cases were used to demonstrate the potential of using linked data, while protecting privacy.
Overview of the five public policy test cases
Early childhood supports
(led by New South Wales)
This test case related to the impacts of early childhood early support programs for children with developmental delays and disability before entering school. The test case piloted a methodological linkage approach aimed to streamline processes and increase privacy and security of data sharing. This test case provided baseline data of service use to inform program planning on optimal supports for children with developmental delay and disability and their families.
Experiences with the justice system
(jointly led by New South Wales and the Commonwealth Department of Social Services)
This test case related to the interaction of people with disability and the justice system. The test case aimed to better understand the characteristics of people with disability who interact with the criminal justice system, both as offenders and victims. By having a deeper understanding of the extent to which people with disability interact with the justice system, and the impact of services and supports on their outcomes, governments could be able to plan for better support services.
Pathways from education to employment
(led by South Australia)
This test case related to pathways into employment or further education for young adults with disabilities, through school education, senior secondary education, vocational education and training participation. The test case aimed to explore the barriers to employment, identify background and pathway factors that explain variations in outcomes, identify supports that help to close the gap between people with disabilities and the general population, and describe the pathways into employment or further education for young adults with disabilities.
Services and supports for people with disability and mental health issues
(led by Victoria)
This test cases related to the impacts of service and support programs for people living with disability with mental health issues and psychosocial disabilities (and their families). The test case aimed to provide baseline data for government policy development and to inform service, program planning and reporting on what services and supports people with disability and mental health issues have used. It also aimed to better understand the relationship between the use of supports and the impact on outcomes.
Outcomes measurement
(led by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services)
This test case explored the possibility of deriving a comprehensive measure of disability using information available across linked datasets. It is tested the suitability of the NDDA as a data source to report against a future National Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework, using data on housing-related supports to demonstrate the potential of linked datasets.