COVID-19 register and linked data set

This report demonstrates the utility of the newly established cross-jurisdictional COVID-19 Register. It explores potential analyses which could be conducted on the data using a subset of linked cases. This includes exploring demographic patterns, health outcomes following COVID‑19 and health system use before and after a COVID‑19 diagnosis. It is a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.

A COVID-19 linked dataset has been established to allow evidence-based research, public health and health system planning for current and future pandemics. This linkage also enables selected information to be fed back and incorporated into the local notifiable disease systems of states and territories to improve data completeness and utility.

The first version of the linked data was first made available to approved researchers in December 2022. The linked data has since been updated to Version 2 and will continue to be updated as new versions of the linked data become available.

The purpose of this report is to briefly describe the linkage method and process, as well as compare high level linkage results for previous and current versions of the linked data set. This report will be a resource for future researchers wanting to use the data.