Data Linkage Services

The Data Linkage Services team manages the Western Australian Data Linkage System, one of the most comprehensive linkage systems in the world.

Since 1994, we have linked over 200 million records from over 50 routinely linked datasets. 

We facilitate access to linked data for approved purposes to improve outcomes for the Western Australian community by putting linked data at the core of decision-making and research.  

What is data linkage?

Data linkage is a technique for connecting information from different data sources that are thought to relate to the same person, family, place or event.

The Western Australian Data Linkage System is used to create, store, update and extract links between population-based administrative and research data collections in Western Australia.

The Data Linkage Services team at the Department of Health manage access to a broad range of administrative health data collections for approved purposes, including research, policy development, quality improvement activities, service planning and evaluation.