The National community services data dictionary (the NCSDD) is a national resource which community services authorities use to ensure the consistency and comparability of all data collected under the scope of the National Community Services Information Agreement (NCSIA). The data dictionary contains definitions and value domains that are endorsed as national standards for use by those collecting community services data in Australia.Version 5 has been downloaded from METeOR which is an internet registry for development, registration and dissemination of metadata based on the latest version of the international standard ISO/IEC 11179 Information technology-Metadata registries (MDR) in 2003. The Dictionary is available online at <meteor.aihw.gov.au>.The data dictionary is an important resource for people involved in designing and building data collections, conducting research and evaluation activities.