Information for researchers

Linkage studies

The Sax Institute will maintain data for the cohort from Medicare Australia, including MBS and PBS. The Sax Institute will negotiate approval with Medicare Australia to provide these data to a third party.

Other linked health data can be obtained via the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL). The 45 and Up Study team will assist with negotiations for these data. The 45 and Up Study is included in the Master Linkage Key for the CHeReL. This will facilitate linkage between participant questionnaire data and data from a range of other sources including:

  • NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection
  • NSW Emergency Department Data Collection
  • NSW Midwives Data Collection
  • NSW Perinatal Death Review Database
  • NSW Central Cancer Registry
  • NSW Pap Test Register
  • NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages birth registration data
  • NSW Registry of Births, Death and Marriages death registration data
  • ABS Mortality Data
  • ABS Perinatal Mortality Data

For more information about linkable datasets please refer to the CHeReL website. The CHeReL maintains a database of variable names, descriptions and formats for the core administrative datasets included in the Master Linkage Key. 

Request process:

Requests for linkage studies are made by submitting an ‘Application to use linked and/or sub-study data’.  To download an application form click here.

A Stage 1 application should be submitted for projects where there are plans to seek competitive funding for the project and at this stage the researcher(s) are requesting preliminary review and ‘in principle agreement’.

A Stage 2 application should be submitted for projects that already have funding and the researchers are requesting full review and approval to undertake a project using data from the 45 and Up Study.

The ‘Application to use linked and/or sub-study data’ is for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 applications. More detail is required for Stage 2 applications. When researchers are ready to submit a Stage 2 application they can add this detail to the Stage 1 application they have already submitted.

Approval process:

Applications are reviewed by the Access Committee.  Refer to the Study Data Access Policy for more information on the approval process for linkage studies.

Charges:

Charges for linkage studies will be in accordance with the Study Fees and Charges Policy. A quote will be provided. The fees and charges policy is currently being revised, please contact us if you require more information