Statistical Consulting

CURFs (Confidentialised Unit Record Files)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) makes a range of data available to university researchers. Some of the data is classified as Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs). CURFs contain unidentified unit record data from most of the key ABS social and labour household surveys. Strict provisions concerning confidentiality and access govern their use.

What is a CURF?

• A Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) contains sample data in the form of unit records where the information is not likely to enable the identification of a particular person or organisation. Accordingly there are no names or addresses of survey respondents in a CURF.
• CURF data is also further confidentialised by reducing the detail of some items (especially locational data) and making small changes to other items such as income.
• CURFs provide the most detailed information which can be released from an ABS survey.
• The basic unit in a CURF may be a household, a family, an income unit or a person. Some CURFs may contain data at more than one unit level.
• To make effective use of a CURF requires basic statistical and analytical skills and an ability to understand the concepts underlying the data.
• Most CURFs are supplied in SAS and SPSS format. CURFs from earlier ABS surveys may be in ASCII format.

Types of CURFs

Recent CURFs may be available in either Basic or Expanded format.

Basic CURFs are available on CD-ROM or accessed via the RADL (see Modes of access to CURFs below). Basic CURF data have protections applied to prevent identification of persons and households. For example, age may be grouped into 5-year categories, country of birth collapsed to broader groupings and the level of geography set.

Expanded CURFs are available only through the RADL system (see Modes of access to CURFs below). The RADL protections enable the data to have fewer protections applied, and in some cases more data items may be available. For example, age may be in single years, more detailed country of birth and more extensive geographic items may be included.

Modes of access to CURFs

Each CURF may potentially be available in three different access modes:

• CD-ROM - Each authorised user is supplied with a CD-ROM that they can work with on their own computer. CURF data supplied on CD-ROM is provided at the Basic level only.
• ABS Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL) - CURF data accessed through the RADL is at a greater level of detail than that provided on CD-ROM, including Expanded CURFs. Access to the RADL is only via a secure web-based data query service. SPSS or SAS commands are submitted via the web interface and are executed on the ABS servers. Provided the commands meet certain ABS restrictions, the output of the query is provided back to the user.
• ABS Site Data Laboratory (ABSDL) - For a greater level of data detail again, the ABSDL can be used. This is provided via a secure data query service on ABS premises under ABS supervision. SPSS or SAS commands are submitted and are executed on the ABS servers. Provided the commands meet certain ABS restrictions, the output of the query is provided back to the user.

For more information on the benefits and restrictions of the different access modes refer to the ABS' Access to ABS CURFs site.
For users new to the RADL the ABS has prepared this guide, Getting Started with the ABS Remote Access Data Laboratory.

What CURFs are available?

The ABS website maintains a list of all available CURFs available here. This includes information on the type of CURF (Basic or Expanded) and modes of access available. Any new CURFs that are released will be advertised on the main page of this current site.

How can I apply for access to a CURF?

Flinders University is a signatory to an agreement with the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee (AVCC) concerning the provision and use of CURFs. The applications for CURFs are handled by the Statistical Consultant. Total turn-around time for an initial application (including university and ABS processing) is approximately 5 weeks.

Enquiries about the use of CURFs at Flinders University should be directed to the Office of Research.