Using payroll transaction data: statistical opportunities and challenges

presented online by Cristian Rotaru, Australian Bureau of Statistics

Tuesday 25 May 2021, 6:00pm – 7:00pm AEST 

Abstract: The unfolding of the COVID-19 pandemic trigged a spike in the demand for timely and granular economic and social statistics; policy makers, researchers, and users in general looking at ways to use data to better understand and respond to a rapidly changing environment. In response to these challenges, national statistical offices turned their attention to the use of new and non-traditional data sources and the development of innovative statistical methods.  

This April marked a year since the first release of the Australian payroll jobs and wages – initially, a COVID-19 temporary product, which developed into an ongoing ABS fortnightly series. Key to this series has been the Australian Tax Office (ATO) Single Touch Payroll (STP) data which provides near real-time information on changes in the labour market.

This presentation will provide insights into the statistical underpinnings of the series: the relevant data sources, data processes, and statistical methodologies. It will also reflect on the statistical opportunities and challenges encountered. 

Biography: Cristian is Assistant Director and Principal Statistical Analyst at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which he joined as a graduate in 2010. He has extensive experience in data analysis, data integration, causal inference, data mining, and sample surveys. In 2014, Cristian was awarded the ABS Ken Foreman Award in recognition of “his outstanding contributions to expanding the analytical capability in the ABS, including longitudinal analysis and propensity score matching". Cristian holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with Honours) from the University of Melbourne, and a Master in Applied Economics and a Postgraduate Certificate of Science from the Australian National University.

RSVP: Register in advance for this meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The link opens at 5:30 PM AEST; the talk commences 6.00 PM AEST.

The talk will be followed by dinner at Pho Hub,  39 Benjamin Way, Belconnen.

For safety and determining numbers for the booking, if you wish to attend this dinner, please RSVP by 5pm Monday 24 May:

1. Enter your details here.

2. RSVP to confirm.

If you have any questions, please contact ssacanberra@gmail.com.

Please forward the information about this event to anyone who may be interested.