Key themes identified during the public consultation

The draft Framework and Data Strategy were available for public consultation from 17 September to 16 November 2025. The AIHW then engaged in further targeted consultation with priority population and community groups, state and territory departments, and Primary Health Networks (PHNs).

Table 1 details the key themes identified throughout the public consultation and the actions taken to address feedback received. 

Table 1: Key themes identified and actions taken to address consultation feedback

Key theme

Action taken

The intention to improve sexual and reproductive health data was strongly and broadly supported, but there were concerns it is too ambitious

An implementation plan has been added to the Data Strategy that shows:

  • short-term actions that are achievable with existing data and funding
  • medium and longer-term development that will require enhancement or linkage of existing data, or that will depend on new collections or future resourcing.

Strengthen equity, increase emphasis on priority populations and explain how under-represented groups will be included

A dedicated section on priority populations has been added to the data strategy. It includes more information on why these are a priority, which data sources are likely to support disaggregation and where gaps are expected to remain.

The dual approach of optimising existing data and developing new collections was supported

The rationale for proposing new data collections has been strengthened, including outlining:

  • the strengths and limitations of proposed collections
  • the way in which they would address identified data gaps
  • the unique value and opportunities that establishing new collections would provide.

Data linkage was strongly supported, although this needs to be more clearly explained

A plain language example using data linkage has been added, including how linkage of hospital, Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data could be used, together with other data collections, to examine care pathways and to understand outcomes.

Including service mapping and access measures was strongly supported

The AIHW will prioritise service mapping and access measures, particularly for time critical services such as termination of pregnancy and pregnancy loss care. This will include addressing priority data gaps related to service availability, geographic distribution and timely access to preferred care.

There were concerns about the reporting burden on clinicians and services

Enhancing existing collections will be prioritised where possible, particularly for workforce and primary health care data to minimise reporting burden on providers. It is proposed to use data extracted from existing infrastructure wherever possible to reduce the need for manual reporting. Piloting is recommended before national implementation, showing how data will be collected or used and consulting with those impacted (for example, PHNs, service providers) on the feasibility and timing of implementation.

The project scope needs to be clearer, particularly where additional topics are requested

Additional topics identified through consultation have been recorded as potential future priority areas. Many are included in Chapter 2 of the Framework. Given the breadth of sexual and reproductive health, it is not feasible to address all priorities at once and additional topics may be included in future stages of work by the AIHW or other organisations. Cross-cutting issues, such as fertility and infertility (including involuntary childlessness), will be addressed within the existing 5 priority topics where appropriate.

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