ABS Data (observed)
Australian Bureau of Statistics data: 1,227 tables, offering only options confirmed to serve data
Should I use this
Quality & Safety
Based on automated analysis of tool definitions and protocol compliance.
Context Cost
This is the approximate number of tokens consumed each time the server's tools are loaded into a model's context. Higher counts reduce the attention available for other tasks.
Install
One-Click Install
Add this to your `claude_desktop_config.json` file:
{
"mcpServers": {
"abs-data": {
"url": "https://abs-data-front-door.aicolab.workers.dev/mcp"
}
}
}Remote endpoints
https://abs-data-front-door.aicolab.workers.dev/mcpstreamable-httpWhat it can do
Tool inventory
Tools (6)
🟢search_tables(query, geography, frequency, limit)
Find ABS statistical tables (dataflows) by topic words, geography level or frequency. Matches table names, topics and dimension names, and also option labels inside dimensions — a search for 'rent' finds CPI through its INDEX option 'Rents' and reports the match in matchedOptions. Census tables published at several geography levels are collapsed to one result with familyGeographies listing the others (use the geography filter to pick one). Every result is confirmed to serve data — nothing here comes from documentation alone. Start here, then describe_table.
Input Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"query": {
"description": "Free text over ids, names, topics, dimensions",
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1,
"maxLength": 200
},
"geography": {
"description": "Restrict to a geography level, e.g. SA2, LGA",
"type": "string"
},
"frequency": {
"type": "string",
"enum": [
"A",
"S",
"Q",
"M",
"W",
"D"
],
"description": "A annual, S semi-annual, Q quarterly, M monthly, W weekly, D daily"
},
"limit": {
"default": 10,
"type": "integer",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 50
}
},
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}Output Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"results": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"id": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Dataflow id, e.g. CPI"
},
"name": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"description": {
"description": "ABS's own description, trimmed",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"seriesCount": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991,
"description": "Series confirmed to exist by retrieval"
},
"frequencies": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string",
"enum": [
"A",
"S",
"Q",
"M",
"W",
"D"
],
"description": "A annual, S semi-annual, Q quarterly, M monthly, W weekly, D daily"
}
},
"coverage": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"from": {
"description": "Earliest observed period, e.g. 2002-Q1",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"to": {
"description": "Latest observed period",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"from",
"to"
],
"additionalProperties": false
},
"density": {
"type": [
"number",
"null"
]
},
"family": {
"description": "Census table family, e.g. C21_G01",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"geography": {
"description": "Geography level for family members, e.g. LGA",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"dimensions": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Dimension ids in key order"
},
"topics": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"matchedOptions": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"dimension": {
"type": "string"
},
"code": {
"type": "string"
},
"label": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"dimension",
"code",
"label"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"familyGeographies": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
}
},
"required": [
"id",
"name",
"seriesCount",
"frequencies",
"coverage",
"density",
"family",
"geography",
"dimensions",
"topics"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"total": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991
},
"provenance": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"runId": {
"type": "string"
},
"observedAt": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"required": [
"runId",
"observedAt"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"required": [
"results",
"total",
"provenance"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
"additionalProperties": false
}🟢describe_table(table)
A table's dimensions in key order, its coverage dates, and its observed options. Dimensions with up to 64 options list them inline with labels; larger ones (geography, occupations) say how many and are searchable with search_options.
Input Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"table": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1,
"description": "Dataflow id, e.g. CPI"
}
},
"required": [
"table"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}Output Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"table": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"id": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Dataflow id, e.g. CPI"
},
"name": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"description": {
"description": "ABS's own description, trimmed",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"seriesCount": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991,
"description": "Series confirmed to exist by retrieval"
},
"frequencies": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string",
"enum": [
"A",
"S",
"Q",
"M",
"W",
"D"
],
"description": "A annual, S semi-annual, Q quarterly, M monthly, W weekly, D daily"
}
},
"coverage": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"from": {
"description": "Earliest observed period, e.g. 2002-Q1",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"to": {
"description": "Latest observed period",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"from",
"to"
],
"additionalProperties": false
},
"density": {
"type": [
"number",
"null"
]
},
"family": {
"description": "Census table family, e.g. C21_G01",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"geography": {
"description": "Geography level for family members, e.g. LGA",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"dimensions": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Dimension ids in key order"
},
"topics": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"matchedOptions": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"dimension": {
"type": "string"
},
"code": {
"type": "string"
},
"label": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"dimension",
"code",
"label"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"familyGeographies": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
}
},
"required": [
"id",
"name",
"seriesCount",
"frequencies",
"coverage",
"density",
"family",
"geography",
"dimensions",
"topics"
],
"additionalProperties": false
},
"dimensions": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"id": {
"type": "string"
},
"position": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991
},
"codelist": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"optionCount": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991
},
"options": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"code": {
"type": "string"
},
"label": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"parent": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"code",
"label"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"determinedBy": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"id",
"position",
"codelist",
"optionCount"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"keyFormat": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Dimension ids joined by '.', the order a selection is serialised in"
},
"exampleUrl": {
"type": "string",
"format": "uri"
},
"provenance": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"runId": {
"type": "string"
},
"observedAt": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"required": [
"runId",
"observedAt"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"required": [
"table",
"dimensions",
"keyFormat",
"exampleUrl",
"provenance"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
"additionalProperties": false
}🟢search_options(table, dimension, query, limit)
Find option codes by label text within one dimension of one table — e.g. a suburb name in a geography dimension. Returns codes to use in get_data's select.
Input Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"table": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1
},
"dimension": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1
},
"query": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1,
"maxLength": 200,
"description": "Match against option codes and labels"
},
"limit": {
"default": 20,
"type": "integer",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 100
}
},
"required": [
"table",
"dimension",
"query"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}Output Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"options": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"code": {
"type": "string"
},
"label": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"parent": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"code",
"label"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"total": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991
},
"provenance": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"runId": {
"type": "string"
},
"observedAt": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"required": [
"runId",
"observedAt"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"required": [
"options",
"total",
"provenance"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
"additionalProperties": false
}🟢get_data(table, select, startPeriod, endPeriod, lastN, ...)
Fetch observations. `select` maps dimension ids to option codes or labels (several allowed); omitted dimensions match everything. The selection is verified live against ABS before fetching, so a call that succeeds always returns real data. Returns up to maxRows observations (default 500, most recent 12 periods per series unless a period range is given), a summary, and the URL for the complete pull. If an option or combination does not exist you are asked to choose from the valid ones.
Input Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"table": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1
},
"select": {
"default": {},
"type": "object",
"propertyNames": {
"type": "string"
},
"additionalProperties": {
"anyOf": [
{
"type": "string"
},
{
"minItems": 1,
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
}
]
},
"description": "dimension id -> option code or label (or several). Omitted dimensions match everything."
},
"startPeriod": {
"description": "e.g. 2020, 2020-Q1, 2020-03",
"type": "string"
},
"endPeriod": {
"type": "string"
},
"lastN": {
"description": "Most recent N observations per series; default 12 when no period is given",
"type": "integer",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 1000
},
"firstN": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 1000
},
"maxRows": {
"default": 500,
"description": "Cap on returned observations",
"type": "integer",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 2000
}
},
"required": [
"table"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}Output Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"table": {
"type": "string"
},
"key": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The resolved selection as an SDMX key"
},
"seriesMatched": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991
},
"rows": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"series": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The series key, e.g. 1.10001.10.50.Q"
},
"period": {
"type": "string"
},
"value": {
"type": [
"number",
"null"
]
},
"unit": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"status": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"series",
"period",
"value"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"rowsReturned": {
"type": "integer",
"minimum": -9007199254740991,
"maximum": 9007199254740991
},
"truncated": {
"type": "boolean"
},
"periodRange": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"from": {
"description": "Earliest observed period, e.g. 2002-Q1",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
},
"to": {
"description": "Latest observed period",
"type": [
"string",
"null"
]
}
},
"required": [
"from",
"to"
],
"additionalProperties": false
},
"fullDataUrl": {
"type": "string",
"format": "uri"
},
"availabilityUrl": {
"type": "string",
"format": "uri"
},
"provenance": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"runId": {
"type": "string"
},
"observedAt": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"required": [
"runId",
"observedAt"
],
"additionalProperties": false
}
},
"required": [
"table",
"key",
"seriesMatched",
"rows",
"rowsReturned",
"truncated",
"periodRange",
"fullDataUrl",
"availabilityUrl",
"provenance"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
"additionalProperties": false
}🟢search(code)
Run JavaScript against the whole catalogue document — every table, its dimensions, coverage and small-dimension options — in an isolated sandbox with no network. Use it to answer questions the fixed verbs make awkward: 'which tables have both an SA2 geography and a quarterly frequency?', 'list every dimension name and how often it appears', 'find codelists whose labels mention rent'. Your code runs inside an async function with `catalogue` in scope; `return` a JSON-serialisable value; console.log output is captured. // The `catalogue` object available in search(): interface Catalogue { provenance: { runId: string; observedAt: string }; corpus: { tables: number; seriesConfirmed: number; seriesImpliedByMetadata: number; density: number }; tables: Record<string, { // keyed by table id, e.g. catalogue.tables.CPI id: string; name: string|null; description: string|null; seriesCount: number; frequencies: string[]; coverage: { from: string|null; to: string|null }; density: number|null; family: string|null; geography: string|null; topics: string[]; dimensions: { id: string; position: number; codelist: string|null; optionCount: number; literal: boolean }[]; }>; options: { literal: Record<string, Record<string, string|null>>; // codelist id -> { code: label } for small codelists (<=64 options) branded: Record<string, number>; // large codelists -> option count (use abs.searchOptions in execute) }; }
Input Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"code": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1,
"maxLength": 20000,
"description": "JavaScript. `catalogue` is in scope. Must return a value."
}
},
"required": [
"code"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}Output Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ok": {
"type": "boolean"
},
"result": {},
"error": {
"type": "string"
},
"logs": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"truncated": {
"type": "boolean"
}
},
"required": [
"ok",
"logs"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
"additionalProperties": false
}🟢execute(code)
Run JavaScript in an isolated sandbox whose only capability is `abs`, a client with the same four verbs as this server (searchTables, describeTable, searchOptions, getData) and the same guarantees: every selection is verified against ABS before fetching. Use it for multi-series or multi-table analysis — fetch several series, compute growth rates, rank capitals, join tables — and `return` only the computed result, so large payloads never reach the conversation. No network beyond `abs`. Budgets: 10s CPU, 50 calls, 25s wall clock, 200KB result. Your code runs inside an async function; use `await`; console.log is captured. // The `abs` object available in execute(): interface Abs { searchTables(input: { query?: string; geography?: string; frequency?: "A"|"S"|"Q"|"M"|"W"|"D"; limit?: number }): Promise<{ results: TableSummary[]; total: number }>; describeTable(table: string): Promise<{ table: TableSummary; dimensions: { id: string; position: number; optionCount: number; options?: { code: string; label: string|null }[] }[]; keyFormat: string }>; searchOptions(input: { table: string; dimension: string; query: string; limit?: number }): Promise<{ options: { code: string; label: string|null; parent?: string|null }[]; total: number }>; getData(input: { table: string; select?: Record<string, string|string[]>; startPeriod?: string; endPeriod?: string; lastN?: number; firstN?: number; maxRows?: number }): Promise<{ key: string; rows: { series: string; period: string; value: number|null; unit?: string|null }[]; rowsReturned: number; truncated: boolean; seriesMatched: number; fullDataUrl: string }>; } interface TableSummary { id: string; name: string|null; seriesCount: number; frequencies: string[]; coverage: { from: string|null; to: string|null }; dimensions: string[]; family: string|null; geography: string|null; matchedOptions?: { dimension: string; code: string; label: string|null }[] } // getData throws an Error whose message is JSON: { reason, dimension, message, validOptions?, alternatives? } — catch it, read validOptions, correct and retry.
Input Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"code": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1,
"maxLength": 20000,
"description": "JavaScript. `abs` is in scope. Must return a value."
}
},
"required": [
"code"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}Output Schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ok": {
"type": "boolean"
},
"result": {},
"error": {
"type": "string"
},
"logs": {
"type": "array",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"truncated": {
"type": "boolean"
}
},
"required": [
"ok",
"logs"
],
"$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
"additionalProperties": false
}Community
Evidence