Summary

In a health system dispersed across the states and territories by the Australian Government, strong governance arrangements are needed to ensure that health information, collected under different health administrations, are consistent and therefore accurate and useful for policy, planning and program management.

The National Health Information Agreement, signed in 2011 by all jurisdictions and the national health agencies associated with health information, provides the overarching framework for the governance of national data collections.

Governance mechanisms for many aspects of health information are established under the Standing Council on Health (SCoH), with particular committees vested with delegated authority to endorse national standards and definitions.

This document provides guidance on engaging with the national processes responsible for health information and data standards.

In particular, it describes how those developing data about some aspect of health can obtain assistance with, and/or endorsement of, their data development work.