The role of data in disrupting disadvantage

In the first chapter of the report, Taylor Fry’s Peter Mulquiney, Laura Dixie and Andrew Ngai explore the benefits of analysing linked Commonwealth and state datasets, such as better targeted support and effective early intervention for this vulnerable group.

We explain how governments can derive value from the vast array of administrative data they collect from human services, such as education, healthcare, income support, social housing, justice and child protection.

When linked together in a careful and responsible way, we show how this data can be used to provide a rich picture of the paths, predictors and preventors of entrenched disadvantage. We discuss in further detail:

• Role of data to detect and support young Australians at risk of falling into entrenched disadvantage
• Different types of data
• Variables necessary in the early detection of future persistent disadvantage
• Predictive factors
• Progress to date for linked data
• The role of the private sector
• Technical and political challenges.