This technical paper outlines the alignment and differences between the AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC) and the ABS Census definitions of homelessness, including key concepts and derivation code logic of both collections. It does not contain any homeless data.

The SHSC provides information about people who are seeking assistance from homelessness service agencies who have received government funding and is focused on ongoing service provision to homeless people or those at risk of homelessness. The ABS Census takes a snapshot count of all people and housing on a given night and also estimates the homeless population every 5 years.