Release 9.0C2 of LSAC is now available

In partnership with the Australian Data Archive, DSS Longitudinal Studies is using Dataverse to facilitate access to its longitudinal datasets, including LSAC. Dataverse is an online platform that enables you to:

• find out about user obligations when accessing LSAC data
• apply for access to LSAC data
• access LSAC data files, once approved
• access LSAC data documentation, such as the data user guide, data dictionary, labelled questionnaires, rationale report, and technical papers
• upload replication materials from your research using LSAC data.

Datasets

Release 9.0C2 includes data for Waves 1–9C of LSAC.

The following types of datasets are available:

• Main data:
  Includes the main datasets for each wave and cohort; household data; time use diary data; event history calendar data; executive functioning data

• In-between wave data:
  Includes data collected between waves (Wave 2.5 and Wave 3.5)

• Linked data:
  Includes linked data for Medicare Australia, NAPLAN, MySchool, AEDC, and Centrelink

• Child Health CheckPoint data:
  Includes data from a sub-study of LSAC, Growing Up in Australia's Child Health CheckPoint.

There are two levels at which LSAC data can be accessed:

• The General Release: This includes data from which more sensitive information has been removed, such as names, addresses (including postcodes) and date of birth, and some other information has been confidentialised by various methods such as top coding and the application of classification codes at a more general level.
• The Restricted Release (previously called the in-confidence release): This includes data from which the names and addresses have been removed but some information such as postcodes, date of birth and other data are provided at a more detailed level than the General Release datasets. Because of this, access arrangements to Restricted Release data are more rigorous than for General Release data.

Restricted and General release versions of the data are available for the main LSAC dataset, Checkpoint data and Centrelink data.

Costs

• General Release: available free of charge
• Restricted Release: available free of charge

How to apply

Instructions for how to apply for Release 9.0C2 of LSAC can be found on the Longitudinal Studies Dataverse website.

To gain access to LSAC data, you will first need to:

• register with the ADA Dataverse using the Dataverse registration form
• read the Longitudinal Studies Data Access and Use Guidelines [PDF]
• download and sign the Confidentiality Deed Poll and, if applicable, complete NCLD Data Holdings Form (to be emailed to LongitudinalStudiesDataAccess@dss.gov.au and ada@anu.edu.au).

Then, on the LSAC Dataverse page,

• select the Release you wish to apply for
• select ‘Request Access’ and complete the application form.

To assist with your application, you can download the LSAC Data User Guide and Wave 1-Wave 9C Data Dictionary.