Citing and referencing: Government and other reports

A guide to the styles recommended by Monash schools and departments for students and researchers

Government and other reports

Notes:

  • The names of groups that serve as authors (corporate authors) are usually written out each time they appear in a text reference.
  • When appropriate, the names of some corporate authors are spelled out in the first reference and abbreviated in all subsequent citations. The general rule for abbreviating in this manner is to supply enough information in the text citation for a reader to locate its source in the reference list without difficulty.

For example:
First intext citation: (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2008)
Each subsequent citation: (ABS, 2008)

  • If the issuing organization assigned a number (e.g. report number, contract number, monograph number) to the report, give that number in parentheses immediately after the title. Do not italicise the report number.
  • In most cases the author will be a corporate author.
  • Where the report has one or more personal authors, see the example under Research report/Discussion paper, below.

 

Australian Bureau of Statistics - item on ABS website

Format  Author, A. A. (year, month of publication). Title of publication (Report number). Retrieved from 'website address'
Example

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2017, June). Childhood education and care, Australia (No. 4402.0). Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au

 

Census Information

Format Author, A. A. (year of publication). Title of publication. Retrieved from 'website address'
Example

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Census of population and housing: B01 selected characteristics (First release processing) postal area 6050. Retrieved from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au

 

Government Reports

Format

Author, A. A. (year of publication). Title of publication (Report number). Retrieved from 'website address' or publisher information
Example

Department of Health and Ageing. (2012). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework 2012 report.  Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/oatsih-hpf-2012-toc

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development & Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority. (2011). Victorian early years learning and development framework: For all children from birth to eight years. Melbourne, Australia: Author.

Note: The word ‘Author’ is used as the publisher when the author and publisher are the same

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2015). Emergency department care 2014-15: Australian hospital statistics (Health Services Series Number 65). Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129553618

 

Research Report/Discussion Paper (personal authors)

Format Author, A. A. (year of publication). Title of publication (Report number). Retrieved from Publishing Organisation website: URL
Example

Cockerill, L., & Pennings, S. (2007). Private business investment in Australia  (Research Discussion Paper RDP 2007-09).  Retrieved from Reserve Bank of Australia website: http://www.rba.gov.au/rdp/RDP2007-09.pdf

 

Press Release

Format Author, A. A. (year, date of release). Title of press release [Press release]. Retrieved from 'website address'
Example

NSW Department of Primary Industries. (2008, November 14). NSW helps Tasmania put the lid on foxes [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news/forests/put-the-lid-on-foxes