CSTDA NMDS Collection
Recent Functioning and Disability releases
Disability support services 2006-07: national data on services provided under the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (Publication) (Released 29 October 2008)
Disability in Australia: trends in prevalence, education, employment and community living (AIHW bulletin) (Released 28 August 2008)
Disability in Australia: acquired brain injury (AIHW bulletin) (Released 13 December 2007)
Popular titles
 Australia's health 2008 |
 Australia's welfare 2007 |
Welcome to the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement National Minimum Data Set (CSTDA NMDS) collection page. This page has been established to provide interested people and organisations with up-to-date information about the CSTDA NMDS collection.
The most recent published data is available from the 2006-07 collection:
Below are the CSTDA NMDS materials for the 2008-09 (current) collection:
- CSTDA NMDS Data Guide 2008-09
- Privacy and Data Principles
- CSTDA NMDS Service Type Outlet and Service User Forms 2008-09
- CSTDA NMDS Data Transmission and Technical Guide 2008-09 (Version 2.10)
CSTDA NMDS Data items on METeOR
METeOR, AIHW's Metadata Online Registry, is Australia's repository for national data standards for the health, community services and housing assistance sectors.
Specifications for the CSTDA NMDS have recently been added to the METeOR registry. These replace items in the former CSTDA NMDS Data Dictionary. Where possible, data items in the CSTDA NMDS are based on national Community Services data standards.
CSTDA NMDS METeOR specification are available at:
for more information about METeOR, please visit
National training materials were developed following the redevelopment of the CSTDA NMDS. A national overview slide show has been developed for training purposes:
CSTDA NMDS Data Guide 2008-09 (including the Privacy and Data Principles)
The following document provides detailed information about all data items in the CSTDA NMDS and guidance on how to collect and transmit these data. Please contact your Network representative to check if there are any local additions or variations to data items you are asked to provide.
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Privacy and Data Principles
The Privacy and Data Principles governing the CSTDA NMDS collection are contained in the following document. This information is also included in the CSTDA NMDS Data Guide above, as well as additional practical guidelines for data collectors.
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CSTDA NMDS Service Type Outlet and Service User Forms 2008-09
The following forms are to be used by those Service Type Outlets who wish to use paper forms. Please contact your Network representative to check if there are any local additions or variations to data items you are asked to provide.
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CSTDA NMDS Data Transmission and Technical Guide 2008-09 (Version 2.10)
The following document has been developed as a resource, related to the CSTDA NMDS Data Guide, to support data transmission and the development of related software. If you are considering using this document, it is essential that you contact the Network representative in your jurisdiction (see caveats in document).
- CSTDA NMDS Data Transmission
and Technical Guide 2008-09 (Version 2.10) (911KB)
- The following classification is referred to in this guide: ABS Standard Australian Classification of Countries 1269.0 (also available as a CSV file).
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CSTDA NMDS National Overview training slide show (from the 2004-05 collection)
- CSTDA NMDS Overview Training slides (114KB PPS) - these slides may be used to familiarise new agency staff with the CSTDA NMDS collection. The slides cover information on: the history and uses of the CSTDA NMDS; the types of data items; how the CSTDA NMDS is collected and transmitted; how confidentiality and privacy requirements have been addressed; some examples of data from the collection; and how to get help.