How the Data Strategy will be implemented
The AIHW has developed an implementation plan for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Data Strategy that distinguishes between short‑, medium‑ and longer-term actions; it provides a staged approach to the development of data. It recognises the capacity of data providers (such as jurisdictions, Primary Health Networks and other service providers), funding constraints and data readiness.
Implementation plan
The development of the Framework and Data Strategy is a discrete piece of work led by the AIHW in consultation with stakeholders. This Data Strategy outlines a broad set of potential actions reflecting the scope and complexity of sexual and reproductive health data in Australia. It identifies priorities, opportunities or key considerations to inform future decision-making and support improved monitoring—not only by the AIHW and the Australian Government, but across the sector.
The implementation plan does not commit that the AIHW will deliver all proposed activities. Table 17 outlines key strategies to consider in developing sexual and reproductive health data and indicates:
- what can be progressed in the short‑, medium‑ and longer-term
- key activities involved to progress strategies
- the dependencies of successful implementation.
Implementation principles
Implementation of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Data Strategy will be guided by the following principles:
Use existing data first: prioritise the use of existing national data collections through enhanced analysis, improved reporting, and data linkage.
Minimise burden on services: data development will seek to reduce burden on clinicians, services, Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and jurisdictions by prioritising data extracted from existing infrastructure and alignment with current reporting processes.
Test approaches first: new approaches will be tested through pilots, demonstration projects or use-case analyses before considering broader implementation.
Focus on equity: equity and priority populations will be considered at each stage of the implementation, including for decisions about data sources, disaggregation and reporting.
Collaborate and consult: ongoing engagement with jurisdictions, PHNs, data custodians and community representatives will be essential to feasibility, quality and trust.
Be transparent about limitations: implementation efforts will be transparent in outlining constraints relating to resourcing, data quality, consent, and governance arrangements.
Time frame / phase | Key strategy | Key activities | Dependencies |
|---|---|---|---|
Short term (in progress) | Use existing data sources and collections | Analyse existing data collections to strengthen disaggregation for priority populations where feasible. Analyse and report sexual and reproductive health data items that have not been previously published. Analyse existing national data sets to produce baseline reporting aligned to the Framework. | Data custodian approvals and data‑sharing arrangements. |
Short term (in progress) | Develop existing data: initial service mapping | Undertake targeted, low‑burden service mapping using existing publicly available sources. | Availability of location information on sexual and reproductive health providers and services (by urban, regional and remote areas). Jurisdictional collaboration. |
Short term (in progress) | Establish new data collections: Sexual and Reproductive Health Pharmacy Data Collection | The Sexual and Reproductive Health Pharmacy Data Collection will initially be piloted over 6–12 months for a selection of priority topics and potentially published in the first or second phase of reporting. If successful, it will be expanded to other sexual and reproductive health priority topics in the medium term. | Assessment of data quality and suitability. Data governance, privacy and consent arrangements; data custodian and data sharing agreements. Resourcing to establish ongoing collection. Monitoring development of the National Medicines Record to prevent duplication. |
Short to medium term | Develop existing data: expand existing collections | Collaborate with data custodians to add or further develop questions, data items or modules to existing surveys or other data collections. | Data custodian agreement; continuity of collections or data items to enable monitoring over time. |
Short to medium term (in progress) | Develop existing or planned data collections: pilot primary health care demonstration projects | Progress primary care data demonstration projects in partnership with PHNs and data extractors, harmonisation of data and expand participation by PHNs. | Data governance arrangements; PHN approvals and data extraction agreements; data harmonisation; development of infrastructure. |
Short to medium term | Further develop existing data: standardise existing data and establish data standards | Develop and pilot data standards and definitions for selected sexual and reproductive health concepts and conditions; establish expert advisory groups or seek expert advice. | Jurisdictional and PHN engagement, collaboration and approvals; stakeholder and service provider engagement. |
Medium term | Use linked data assets | Conduct targeted priority data linkage projects (such as using hospital, MBS and PBS data in the National Health Data Hub) to examine care pathways and outcomes. | Data linkage governance and ethics approvals; resourcing; technical feasibility and data quality assessments. |
Medium term | Collate service-level data source: pilot with selected jurisdictions, PHNs or service providers | Identify service providers, PHN and jurisdictional data sources for collation and reporting; assess coverage; review definitions; develop data standards. | Data custodian agreement and data sharing arrangements; privacy consent and governance requirements. |
Medium term | Establish new data collections: Health Care Provider Workforce Survey (pilot) | Pilot survey to show value and feasibility. | Workforce capacity and willingness to participate; resourcing. |
| Medium term | Develop planned data collections: National Primary Health Care Data Collection | Continue exploring the use of primary health care data to address specific sexual and reproductive health data gaps (including data quality, coverage and analytic value), while informing future data standards, governance and collection design. | Expand participation, data harmonisation; data quality assessments; completeness of records, including diagnoses fields. |
Longer term | Establish new data collections: National Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey | Develop a nationally representative sexual and reproductive health survey, including design, testing, expert advisory arrangements; full roll-out and reporting, and added to the National Health Data Hub. | Resourcing; tender process to select fieldwork provider; ethics approval; governance arrangements. |
Longer term | Establish new data collections: National Pregnancy Loss Register | Progress development of National Pregnancy Loss Register, in consultation with jurisdictions, PHNs, service providers and data extractors. Pilot in a selection of PHNs or regions to show value and feasibility. | Resourcing; ability to automate data extraction and progress of a NPHCDC. |
Longer term | Develop existing data sources: My Health Record | Demonstration projects to test feasibility, data quality and fitness for purpose once access pathways are established. | Governance arrangements; funding decisions. Data fields may have different completion rates and depend on uptake and infrastructure developments in different areas. |
Longer term | Expand existing data linkage assets | Integrate new collections, such as the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey, into the National Health Data Hub. | Ethics approval; strong data governance, privacy and consent arrangements. |
Note: this roadmap will be refined as work progresses and through ongoing consultation around priorities, opportunities, resourcing and sequencing.
How data will be used
The Framework and Data Strategy together are designed to deliver regular analysis and reporting that is useful to policymakers, service planners and providers in evidence-based decision-making.
Aligned with the Australian Government Data and Digital Government Strategy, reports will be delivered through a ‘digital by design’ approach, with accessible web-based outputs that support the development of consistent national monitoring over time (Australian Government 2023). This approach allows for timely updates as data become available and at least annually. Outputs will present what can be measured using available data, with clear information about data limitations, including gaps in coverage, quality and disaggregation.
As presented throughout the Data Strategy, the initial focus of sexual and reproductive health reporting is to establish a nationally consistent evidence base for the 5 identified priority topics. For each topic, outputs will align with the areas of measurement and reflect the identified data gaps and priorities for data development.
In the short term, the AIHW’s sexual and reproductive health monitoring and analysis outputs will include:
- accessible, web-based reporting for the 5 priority topics, aligned to areas of measurement
- clear information on what can be measured using available data, including limitations in coverage, quality and disaggregation
- enhanced analysis of existing data, including improved presentation and, where feasible, data linkage.
In addition, the AIHW will remain responsive to emerging government priorities and time sensitive stakeholder needs through targeted or bespoke analysis.
Staged approach to delivery
This reporting model will evolve alongside the work program, with the AIHW initially focused on maximising the value of existing data. A staged approach ensures timely and useful evidence is available to inform policy and service delivery while longer-term data development progresses.
The data strategies for each priority topic provide a practical pathway for development. Not all activities will be undertaken at the same time or by the AIHW. The priority, sequencing and value of actions will be refined through ongoing consultation with subject matter experts, data custodians and stakeholders.
Short-term priorities
Current funding for sexual and reproductive health data spans 3 years (2024–25 to 2026–27). However, many activities extend beyond this period, with most significant data development requiring medium to longer term investment.
Short term activities focus on what can be progressed within the next 6–18 months. These indicate both available data and early development priorities, including data that may be included in the first or second annual sexual and reproductive health report.
Expansion of analysis and reporting over time
As the work program progresses, analysis and reporting can expand in scope and depth to incorporate new data sources and additional topics. This may include more detailed and disaggregated data, with secure access where appropriate to meet the needs of data providers, jurisdictions, PHNs, services and policymakers. This may include access to more localised and granular data, as well as feedback mechanisms to support quality improvement.
How the work program will be overseen and updated
The AIHW intends to regularly review and update the work program to reflect:
- emerging sexual and reproductive health issues
- evolving data needs and stakeholder priorities.
This oversight will support a responsive and evidence-based approach to data development, analysis and reporting.
The AIHW will continue to work in partnership with communities and stakeholders (including people with lived and living experience) to guide the design, interpretation, analysis and reporting of sexual and reproductive health data. This work will include ongoing collaboration with non-government organisations, consumer groups, sector peak bodies, clinical networks and community-controlled organisations, supported by regular feedback processes and clear progress updates.
To support ongoing oversight and engagement, additional structures will be established. These will include:
- the Sexual and Reproductive Health Stakeholder Collective, which will provide insight into health, service use and community experiences and contribute to the design, analysis and presentation of data to inform how sexual and reproductive health data are interpreted and reported. Members will be appointed for a fixed term through expression of interest.
- the Sexual and Reproductive Health User Experience Forum, which will provide input on terminology, framing and presentation of data for new or substantially revised reporting. Representation will be sought across stakeholder groups through invitation and expression of interest.
- topic-specific expert advisory panels, which will provide clinical and technical advice to guide data development, interpretation and reporting for specific topics. Panels will be established as needed and will operate for a defined period.
- data committees, which will provide expert technical advice and support consultation and collaboration with data providers and custodians when establishing new data collections.
See the AIHW website and sexual and reproductive health subscriber notices for information on engagement opportunities. Stakeholders can also contact [email protected] for further information.
The AIHW welcomes ongoing engagement to support rigorous, accurate and inclusive reporting on sexual and reproductive health in Australia.
Data privacy and security
Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of individuals and service providers is a core responsibility of the AIHW. All data collected, held and reported under the sexual and reproductive health data strategy will be managed in accordance with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Act 1987, the Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles, and relevant state and territory legislation.
The AIHW applies strong governance, technical and procedural controls across the full data life-cycle, including data acquisition, storage, analysis and reporting. These controls are designed to minimise the risk of identification, misuse or unauthorised access, particularly for sensitive sexual and reproductive health information and for small or potentially identifiable populations.
The Five Safes framework will be applied to manage privacy, confidentiality and secure access throughout the data life-cycle.
All sexual and reproductive health data activities will operate within the AIHW’s broader data governance framework, which provides oversight of ethical use, privacy, security and data quality. Governance arrangements include formal data sharing agreements, ethics and privacy assessments where required, and oversight through internal governance committees and project-specific advisory groups.
The AIHW is committed to streamlining data access for external users in line with governance, privacy and confidentiality, and security requirements.
How to measure the success of the Framework and Data Strategy
Success of the Framework and Data Strategy will be reflected in improved availability, quality and use of sexual and reproductive health data over time.
This includes:
- increased coverage of priority topics and priority populations
- enhanced use of existing data
- delivery of new or improved data and analyses.
Success will also be demonstrated by the extent to which data support policy, service planning and system improvement, and by the ability of the monitoring approach to adapt to emerging priorities and stakeholder needs.
Adding more topics in the future
The Data Strategy focuses on 5 priority topics. Additional topics were raised during public consultation and stakeholder engagement as important for future consideration. These are not excluded from the sexual and reproductive health work program. Rather, the initial scope reflects a staged and pragmatic approach to data development. Where relevant, additional topics will also be explored as cross-cutting issues within existing topics.
The Data Strategy is designed to evolve over time to reflect the dynamic nature of sexual and reproductive health for all people in Australia, subject to resourcing, feasibility, the evolving data landscape and future government priorities. Additional priority topics may be added in future or progressed by other organisations, including where complementary data collections, research programs or reporting arrangements already exist. Refer to Section 2 Sexual and reproductive health is complex of the Framework for examples of the wide range of conditions and experiences that sexual and reproductive health encompasses.
Australian Government (2023) Data and Digital Government Strategy: The data and digital vision for a world-class APS to 2030, Australian Government, Canberra.