The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey is an Australian household-based panel study which began in 2001. It has been used for examining issues such as the incidence of persistent poverty; assets and income in the transition to retirement; the correlates and impact of changes in physical and mental health; and an international comparison of wealth and happiness. The survey is widely used by Australian and international researchers in the fields of economics, social science and social policy and by the Australian Government. The HILDA survey is managed by a small team from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne and the national fieldwork is carried out by ACNielsen and Roy Morgan Research. The survey is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services.
HILDA has the following key features:
- It collects information about economic and subjective well-being, labour market dynamics and family dynamics.
- Special questionnaire modules are included each wave and have covered topics such as wealth, retirement and fertility intentions.
- The wave 1 panel consisted of 7,682 households and 19,914 individuals. In wave 11 this was topped up with an additional 2,153 households and 5,477 individuals
- Interviews are conducted annually with all adult members of each household.
- The panel members are followed over time.
- Funding has been guaranteed for 16 waves, and the survey is expected to continue beyond wave 16.
- Data releases occur at the start of December. The release in December 2013 was for data collected from 2001 (wave 1) to 2012 (wave 12).
HILDA data, when weighted, describe the Australian population (excluding those not living in households).
The latest HILDA Report, compiled and written by Roger Wilkins at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, showcases key features of the HILDA Survey data.
Brief statistical analysis of the first twelve waves of the HILDA study, conducted between 2001 and 2012, are presented in the report. Nine broad topics are examined:
- family life
- economic wellbeing
- labour market outcomes
- health and subjective wellbeing
- cognitive activity and cognitive ability
- education and labour market outcomes
- family background and economic wellbeing
- expenditure on food
- sexual identity.