Master Linkage Key (MLK)

The Master Linkage Key is a system of continuously updated links within and between core health-related datasets in NSW and the ACT.

CHeReL Master Linkage Key

44.0 million records
9.1 million people
4.7 average links per person
6,040,290 people with multiple records

NSW

Admitted Patient Data Collection
July 2000 – Dec 2010
23,830,796 records

(updated every 6 months)

Emergency Department Data Collection
Jan 2005 – Dec 2010
11,608,401 records
Perinatal Data Collection
Jan 1994 – Dec 2010
1,524,048 records
45 and Up Study
(baseline study respondents)
267,175 records
Central Cancer Registry
Jan 1994 - Dec 2008
504,894 records
RBDM death registrations
Jan 1985 - Jun 2011
1,193,209 records

(updated every 6 months)

RBDM birth registrations
Jan 1994 - Dec 2009
1,426,233 records
Notifiable Conditions Information System
Jan 1993 - Dec 2008
421,870 records
Perinatal Death Review Database
Jan 2000 - Dec 2006
4,613 records
ABS mortality data
Jan 1985 - Dec 2007
1,020,798 records
ABS Perinatal Deaths
Jan 1994 - Dec 2005
9,445 records

ACT

Admitted Patient Collection (Canberra Hospital)
Jul 2004 - Jun 2009
299,807 records
Emergency Department Information System (Canberra Hospital)
Jul 2004 - June 2009
258,771 records
Cancer Registry
Jan 1994 - Dec 2006
14,821 records

Upcoming

RBDM death registrations
update to Dec 2011

(expected Feb 2012)

NSW EDDC
Jan-June 2011

(expected Mar-Apr 2012)

NSW APDC
Jan-June 2011

(expected mid 2012)

External Datasets

For information on other frequently-linked datasets outside the MLK, click here

About Us

The CHeReL was established in 2006 and is jointly managed by the Cancer Institute NSW and the NSW Ministry of Health. The ACT Government Health Directorate, the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Western Sydney are members of the CHeReL and are represented on the CHeReL Advisory Committee.

Contact us

Tel: (+61 2) 8374 3515
Fax: (+61 2) 8374 3560

Level 9
8 Central Avenue
Australian Technology Park
EVELEIGH NSW 2015

Latest updates

30 Jan 2012
Free online workshops Read more >

17 Nov 2011
Research project survey Read more >

Subscribe to CHeReL mailing list

Receive our announcements and latest news in your inbox