DataLab

DataLab is the analysis solution for high-end users who want to undertake real time complex analysis of detailed microdata.

Analyse highly detailed microdata, including: 

• standard detailed microdata files
• integrated detailed microdata from Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) and Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment (BLADE)
• creation of customised integrated microdata, for example linking of your own organisation's data to PLIDA or BLADE (ABS provided service)
• use statistical software, including R, SAS, Stata and Python
• virtual access to files that remain in the secure ABS environment
• all analytical output that you want to use outside the DataLab must be checked by the ABS before release, against the ABS Output Rules.

DataLab is best used to analyse the most detailed microdata for your statistical research or modelling. It is used by:

• Researchers
• Academics
• Government employees (Commonwealth, State and Territory, Local)
• Government contractors and individuals sponsored by government.
• Public policy organisations 

This service is suitable for users with intermediate to advanced statistical skills.

Researchers who meet the ABS safe people criteria can apply for access to DataLab. This includes researchers who: 

• belong to an Australian organisation (international researchers and organisations will be considered on a case by case basis)
• belong to an organisation with a Responsible Officer Undertaking (ROU) in place with the ABS
• are located in Australia when accessing the microdata
• have completed all relevant undertakings and declarations
• have the ability to use at least one of the statistical analytical languages available in the DataLab
• have at least three years of either quantitative research experience or university study with a significant component working with quantitative data, or have a referral from an experienced researcher working on the same project
• have an approved safe project that is for statistical and/or research purposes and demonstrates public value
• have completed ABS safe researcher training and refresher training as per ABS refresher policy
• meet additional criteria that apply to specific microdata.

Too see if you meet the requirements and apply for access to DataLab visit applying for DataLab.

To access your existing account log into the DataLab portal.

Standard DataLab access incurs an annual fee. This fee is based on the number of users with virtual machine access in a project. The fee covers annual costs of: 

• project establishment and ongoing administration
• standard virtual machine access for users
• standard software access for users (e.g. R, Python, Stata)
• changes to users and discussants within a project
• project storage.

 For a pricing breakdown please see DataLab Charges for 2023-24. If you have any questions, please contact data.services@abs.gov.au. 

Information about how to access, use and troubleshoot DataLab can be found in the DataLab user guide.

Key contacts and template emails are available through contact us.

Registration, access to, and management of Projects in DataLab is through myData Beta. For further information about registration and access can be found at MyData Beta. 

To administer and provide access to DataLab, we will collect any personal information you provide when registered to ABS systems, including your name, email address, job title and details of your organisation. We may also collect any other personal information you provide in using the service, including information you provide by email.

We collect your personal information so that we can identify and distinguish who you are for the purposes of administering and providing access to DataLab. This will ensure you are connected to the right projects and data in DataLab.

Any personal information collected will be retained until it is no longer needed for these purposes and will be protected in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. 

Further information on what information is collected and how the ABS manage personal information can be found at ABS privacy policy and DataLab privacy notice as well as in the DataLab Privacy Impact Assessment. 

We are working to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 to Level AA, which describe how to make web content more usable and accessible for everyone. We want to provide our information for everyone, including people with a disability.

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