This report aims to facilitate cross-program analysis of client characteristics data, by completing a stocktake of data items relating to client characteristics, or basic socio-demographic variables, in primary data collection forms used in the residential aged care program. Each data item has been assessed for consistency and mappability with national standards and other related national program data collections. The report presents short-term recommendations to improve the quality and policy relevance of data collected, reported and analysed for the residential aged care program. It also suggests long-term modifications to improve data items on residential aged care forms and achieve greater consistency with national standards and across all the forms.