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Statistics Project: Background

The statistics project is a major systems review which is transforming the way APRA collects and analyses the data needed to conduct its off site supervision for all regulated financial institutions.

Begun in 1999, the statistics project is APRA’s response to the problems associated with bringing together the divergent data collection practices and philosophies inherited from predecessor agencies. The statistics project aims to:

  • Modernise and harmonise the reporting requirements through a gradual review of each set of reporting returns that different industries need to apply
  • Co-operate with the two other key government users of this information – the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to ensure that wherever there are overlaps in data requirements, that APRA collects this information on behalf of the other two organisations
  • Re-engineer the data collection and analysis process through the development of new software and data warehouse systems

Modernising and harmonising data

APRA is reviewing all returns in order to modernise and harmonise the data collection forms. All returns will be reviewed to determine whether the information collected is relevant and prudentially useful. Where ever possible, information collected for prudential purposes should be closely aligned with the way that institutions examine their own businesses. In certain circumstances a definition may need to be standardised, but generally we aim to tie our own reporting requirements to accounting standard norms.

This review process will occur over a number of years. The first such review related to the reporting obligations of deposit taking institutions. It has recently been completed. Following extensive consultation, all of the Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) forms have been reviewed to ensure they meet these aims. For more information see, Consultation Process - Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) reporting requirements. Other industry reviews will progressively occur over the next two to three years.

APRA has also worked with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to improve and, where possible, rationalise the content of ADI returns. In future, returns for all regulated industries will be harmonised and channelled through APRA who will then forward this information to the ABS and the RBA as required.

Re-engineering the process

A single, secure and ‘smart’ data collection tool, a single data warehouse and greatly improved and automated validation and data management system will progressively replace the six existing systems (each covering a different part of the financial sector) APRA inherited on its formation in July 1998.

It will:

  • make the collection of statistical and prudential data simpler, faster and easier for financial institutions;
  • reduce the amount of work that financial institutions are obliged to undertake to submit financial data to government agencies;
  • enhance APRA’s ability to monitor the financial sector;
  • facilitate sophisticated, risk based analysis; and
  • extend APRA’s ability to provide benchmark information back to industry and other interested parties.
  • establish a central repository for financial information about institutions across the financial sector

Collecting data

The public face of this new technology is a single data collection tool, called Direct to APRA (D2A), that incorporates features such as automatic validations, concurrent user inputting, import of historical data and easy and secure transmission via the Internet. For more information see D2A, APRA’s new data collection tool. The D2A software is undergoing "open testing" by ADIs between May and August, see Open Testing for further details. Implementation for ADIs will follow from September 2001. APRA will progressively introduce revised collections and the new data collection tool for other supervised industries starting mid 2002, see timing for further details.

Analysing data

Once the data has reached APRA via D2A the data is verified and checked prior to being stored in a data warehouse.


The statistics project will help to ensure that APRA receives relevant, accurate and timely data on regulated institutions, while also streamlining the reporting process and minimising the impact on institutions providing that data.

APRA will continue to consult with all affected Institutions in line with implementation plans and welcomes any feedback you may have (click here to contact the project team)



Authorised Deposit-Taking Institutions | General Insurance | Superannuation | Life Insurance | Friendly Societies

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority