Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, Long-term research initiative in Victoria, Australia
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, also known as HILDA, is a long-term research project based in Victoria, Australia, that collects data from Australian households each year on topics such as earnings, employment, health, and family life. It is a longitudinal study, meaning the same households are followed over many years rather than new ones being selected each time.
The project began in 2001 under the management of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research. Funding from the Australian Department of Social Services has supported its continuity ever since, allowing it to build a record spanning more than two decades.
The survey interviews household members aged 15 and over from different parts of Australia every year, covering work, income, and family life. The data it produces helps paint a picture of how ordinary Australians live and how their daily circumstances change over time.
Access to the data requires signing a confidentiality agreement, so it is not open to the general public without a formal request. Depending on research needs, different versions of the dataset are available, with some subject to stricter access conditions than others.
Although HILDA started with a set group of households, new participants were added over the years to keep the sample representative of the changing Australian population. One such addition was a targeted group of households with a migrant background, brought in to reflect shifts in who makes up the country.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
