2023 news

A new data statement (External link) about the geocoding of Australian addresses in the NCIS has been published on the NCIS website.

The data statement outlines:

• where users can find and search on geocoded data in the NCIS
• the addresses that are geocoded in the Australian data set
• how to interpret the result codes within the geocoded data
• limitations associated with the geocoding process 

Changes within the geocoded data set due to use of a new geocoding product are highlighted in a system update (External link).

There were over 8500 and over 830 injury-related deaths in Australia and New Zealand respectively in 2020, according to the latest in a series of fact sheets we released today.

Our Mortality data series 2020 fact sheets examined all closed case injury and drug-related deaths reported to an Australian or New Zealand coroner, as well as intentional self-harm deaths reported to an Australian coroner, in the 2020 calendar year. This series provides yearly data on each type of death to enable comparisons over time.

View the fact sheets (External link)

New and refreshed user resources are now available in training + support. These resources are designed to help users navigate and use the various search screens available in the NCIS and how to search for cases by specific values.

New and updated resources include:

• How to search by case type and intent type
• How to search for intentional self-harm deaths
• How to search for assault deaths
• How to search for drowning and water-related deaths
• How to search for drug-related deaths
• How to search for fire-related deaths
• How to search for transport-related deaths
• Examples for searching for transport-related deaths

View training + support resources in How to use the system + search (External link).

Edition 77 of Fatal facts is now available.

The edition covers cases closed by an Australian coroner between April and June 2023.

Fatal facts is a unique service providing access to coronial recommendations from across Australia. It is a publicly accessible online tool that enables searching for coronial recommendations by topic.

Cases are added to the tool regularly by the NCIS Unit. NCIS users with authorised access can look up further case information using the NCIS number assigned to each case summary.

View Fatal facts

This Sunday is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (External link), an event that acknowledges those who have died or been injured on the world’s roads, and advocates for action to reduce road trauma.

The NCIS is a valuable data collection that supports the development of death and injury prevention strategies by providing access to coronial data for death investigation and research.

NCIS Fatal facts (External link) is a unique tool that allows public access to Australian coronial recommendations. Users can search the tool by a variety of topic tags. A search using the land vehicle tag can identify summaries of relevant deaths and associated coronial recommendations made to improve public health and safety.

A variety of organisations use NCIS data to conduct research into transport deaths. Links to relevant research publications are available on the NCIS website (External link).

Updates have been made to NCIS Online to allow easier identification of more than one case record in the NCIS for the same fatality in Query design results.

Further information about the system updates is available on the NCIS website.

The NCIS Annual report 2022-23 is now available. It provides details of NCIS operations and achievements during the 2022-23 financial year, and the NCIS’ financial position as at 30 June 2023.

Significant progress was made towards the NCIS’ mission to provide comprehensive coronial data to those who need it and vision to save lives through the power of data in the last year. Information detailing progress is available in the Key achievements and Operational report sections.

Read the annual report

Every quarter we release operational statistics to assist users in interpreting search results and data reports. The statistics include figures by year and jurisdiction about case closure rates and document attachment in the NCIS. Figures about ICD-10 inclusion are provided biannually.

Our operational statistics have been updated and are now available online.

View operational statistics

Today is World Mental Health Day (External link), an initiative to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilise support efforts.

The NCIS is a valuable data collection that supports the development of death and injury prevention strategies by providing access to coronial data for death investigation and research.

NCIS Fatal facts is a unique tool that allows public access to Australian coronial recommendations. Users can search the tool by a variety of topic tags. A search using the mental health category can identify summaries of relevant deaths and associated coronial recommendations made to improve public health and safety.

A variety of organisations use NCIS data to conduct research into intentional self-harm deaths. Links to relevant research publications are available on the NCIS website.

Updates have been made to NCIS Online to enhance the use and display of occupation and industry fields.

Further information about the system updates is available on the NCIS website.

This month is National Safe Work Month (External link), a time for workers and employers across Australia to commit to safe and healthy workplaces.

The NCIS is a valuable data collection that supports the development of death and injury prevention strategies by providing access to coronial data for death investigation and research.

Safe Work Australia (External link) is a core funder of the NCIS Unit and provides supplementary data to the NCIS for Australian work-related deaths, including occupation, industry and injury type codes. In addition, Safe Work Australia publishes a variety of statistics and research (External link) on work-related death and injury, alongside safety information.

NCIS Fatal facts (External link) is a unique tool that allows public access to Australian coronial recommendations. Users can search the tool by a range of topics. A search using the workplace or farming incident category can identify summaries of workplace incident deaths and associated coronial recommendations made to improve public health and safety.

A variety of organisations use NCIS data to conduct research into work-related deaths. Links to relevant research publications are available on the NCIS website (External link).

Edition 76 of Fatal facts is now available.

The edition covers cases closed by an Australian coroner between January and March 2023.

Fatal facts is a unique service providing access to coronial recommendations from across Australia. It is a publicly accessible online tool that enables searching for coronial recommendations by topic.

Cases are added to the tool regularly by the NCIS Unit. NCIS users with authorised access can look up further case information using the NCIS number assigned to each case summary.

View Fatal facts

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day (External link), an event raising awareness of overdose as a public health issue, stimulating action on overdose prevention and drug policy and remembering those lost to overdose.

The NCIS is a valuable data collection that supports the development of death and injury prevention strategies by providing access to coronial data for death investigation and research.

NCIS Fatal facts is a unique tool that allows public access to Australian coronial recommendations. Users can search the tool by a range of topics.  A search using the pharmaceutical substance(s) topic tag can identify summaries of drug-related deaths and associated coronial recommendations made to improve public health and safety.

A variety of organisations use NCIS data to conduct research into drug-related deaths. Links to relevant research publications are available on the NCIS website.

Addressing gaps in the data collection is a key activity to support our strategic goal to maintain data as outlined in our Strategic plan 2022-26.

There has been a recent expansion of data and document availability on the NCIS. This involves:

• autopsy and toxicology reports for South Australian cases
• the type of autopsy reports available for Queensland cases
• earlier availability of key data fields for Queensland cases
• full police notification of death forms for Northern Territory cases.

The latest versions of ICD-10, ICD-10AM and work related death codes that support coronial data in the NCIS have also been uploaded.

Read the system update for further information.

Coding COVID-19 attributed deaths advice has been updated in recognition that COVID-19 is no longer considered a pandemic, although it is still occurring in the community.

This updated guide outlines a new defined date range for cases to be linked to the COVID-19 MFE and refines the criteria for deaths to be considered COVID related.

Cases previously included in the COVID-19 MFE will be reviewed by the NCIS Unit to align use of the MFE with the updated advice.

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day (External link), an event highlighting the impact of drowning and offering life-saving solutions to prevent it.

The NCIS is a valuable tool that supports the development of death and injury prevention strategies by providing access to coronial data for death investigation and research.

NCIS Fatal facts is a unique tool that allows public access to Australian coronial recommendations. Users can search the tool by a range of topics. A search using the drowning topic tag can identify summaries of drowning deaths and associated coronial recommendations made to improve public health and safety.

A variety of organisations use NCIS data to conduct research into drowning deaths. View research publications

Every quarter we release operational statistics to assist users in interpreting search results and data reports. The statistics include figures by year and jurisdiction about case closure rates and document attachment in the NCIS. Figures about ICD-10 inclusion are provided biannually.

Our operational statistics have been updated and are now available online.

View operational statistics

The content and format for local case numbers associated with Queensland cases reported since 1 August 2009 have been changed in the NCIS. 

Further information about system updates is available on the NCIS website.

New and refreshed user resources are now available. These resources are designed to help users navigate and use the various search screens available in the NCIS and how to search for cases by specific values.

New and updated resources include:

• How to use the Find case screen
• How to use the Coroners screen
• How to use the External code search
• How to use the Multiple fatality event search
• How to search by demographics
• Examples for searching by demographics

View training + support resources in How to use the system + search (External link).

A new data statement (External link) surrounding the Sex data field on the NCIS has been released and is now available in our explanatory notes. 

The data statement outlines the definition and limitations of the Sex field, how it differs from the concept of gender and planned changes for the NCIS data collection in this space.  

Updates have been made to the following screens in NCIS Online:   

• User Details screen – all fields now read-only
• NSW/VIC screen – renamed to Additional data entry​​​​​

Read the system update for further information.

The NCIS website has undergone a range of updates to improve user experience. 

Our training + support content has been overhauled – this is now a one-stop shop for all users and includes: 

• Getting started – introducing the NCIS and its services 
• NCIS Classroom – practical online training sessions for using the system and coding 
• How to code cases – coding manuals and guidance for court coding staff. Includes new quick start guide for coding using NCIS Online and additional coding advice for Queensland coders 
• How to use the system + search – guidance on searching for cases in NCIS 
• Advanced training + support – addressing specific user enquiries, including tailored training 
• Research project support – guidance for approved third party researchers, including project management, amendments and research publication guidelines. 

In addition: 

• Requesting access to the NCIS has been streamlined for death investigators, court coders and researchers. 
• Information about the data has been updated, including explanatory notes, data sources + classification structures and quality management. 

Note: A number of URLs have changed. We recommend clearing your cache and refreshing your browser to ensure you are directed to the updated webpages. NCIS Online (the secure database) is still accessible via the same URL.

Edition 75 of Fatal facts is now available.

The edition covers cases closed by an Australian coroner between October and December 2022.

Fatal facts is a unique service providing access to coronial recommendations from across Australia. It is a publicly accessible online tool that enables searching for coronial recommendations by topic.

Cases are added to the tool regularly by the NCIS Unit. NCIS users with authorised access can look up further case information using the NCIS number assigned to each case summary.

View Fatal facts

Every quarter we release operational statistics to assist users in interpreting search results and data reports. The statistics include figures by year and jurisdiction about case closure rates and document attachment in the NCIS. Figures about ICD-10 inclusion are provided biannually.

Our operational statistics have been updated and are now available online.

View operational statistics

Edition 74 of Fatal facts is now available.

The edition covers cases closed by an Australian coroner between July and September 2022 .

Fatal fact is a unique service providing access to coronial recommendations from across Australia. It is a publicly accessible online tool that enables searching for coronial recommendations by topic.

Cases are added to the tool regularly by the NCIS Unit. NCIS users with authorised access can look up further case information using the NCIS number assigned to each case summary.

View Fatal facts

Every quarter we release operational statistics to assist users in interpreting search results and data reports. The statistics include figures by year and jurisdiction about case closure rates and document attachment in the NCIS. Figures about ICD-10 inclusion are provided biannually.

Our webpage has been updated and now includes statistics from the previous three quarters for comparison with the latest release.

View operational statistics