The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) was established as a Commonwealth statutory authority in 1987. The composition, functions, powers and obligations of the Institute are set out in its enabling legislation, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Act 1987.

AIHW produce authoritative and accessible information and statistics to inform and support better policy and service delivery decisions, with the aim of creating better health and wellbeing for all Australians. They work with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve this.

AIHW convene or participate in around 100 committees with experts from many different subject areas, including:

• Australian Bureau of Statistics and other Australian Government departments
• state and territory governments
• local governments
• universities
• research centres
• non-government organisations
• international organisations.

They also have in place many partnership agreements and memorandums of understanding, including with:

• Department of Health
• Department of Social Services
• Cancer Australia
• Australian Institute of Family Studies.

AIHW release around 180 publications a year. This includes their substantial flagship publications, ‘Australia’s health’ and ‘Australia’s welfare’. These biennial reports provide a mix of statistical updates and longer discussions covering topics including:

• Determinants of health such as tobacco, physical activity, diet, drug use and environmental factors
• Health system including hospital care, workforce, treatments and insurance
• How healthy Australians are as a nation and specific causes of illness
• Health of population groups and Indigenous Australians
• Wellbeing of individuals, families and the community
• Wellbeing factors such as housing, education, employment, health and safety

AIHW provide an extensive range of data collections. Some of these are accessible and others are restricted or require a fee. AIHW statistical information and data covers a wide range of health and welfare topics, including expenditure, hospitals, disease, injury, mental health, ageing, homelessness, housing, disability, child protection and the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Vision:

To provide stronger evidence (data and information) for better decisions and improved health and welfare.

AIHW receive income from contract with clients and selling their products and data services. As a statistics agency, AIHW provide services such as data integration, validation, curation, advice and support.

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