Australian Researchers Get Access to Phone Database

The Australian government has announced that some market and social researchers now have access to the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND), a centralised source containing records of all Australian telephone numbers and their corresponding name and address information.

IPND access has been permitted for research that is relevant to public health (for instance for state-based health surveys); public policy research by or for the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth entity; and related to electoral matters conducted by or for a registered political party, a political representative, or a candidate in an election for an Australian parliament or local government authority. Authorisations for access can cover more than one research entity and access can be for a period of up to twelve months.

In addition to the access researchers already had to the listed public numbers stored on the IPND (mainly fixed lines), under special conditions they can now access its unlisted mobile telephone numbers, along with the associated postcode information. However, at this stage, use of the IPND for commercial research purposes is not permitted.

The Association of Market & Social Research Organisations (AMSRO), which had previously been lobbying the government to enable this access to the IPND, says the unlisted mobile number access will enable researchers to conduct telephone surveys more efficiently, with greater accuracy, at lower cost to clients and with less impact on the public. AMSRO President Craig Young (pictured) explains: 'The new regulations will ensure that researchers and the Australian community benefit from more cost effectively conducted research and significantly less unnecessary contact with respondents, while also safeguarding respondents' privacy. AMSRO recognises the desirability of obtaining access for commercial research purposes and will continue to advocate for this'.

Web site: www.amsro.com.au .