The following attributes are commonly used in the formation of a full address:

• Address line; (address line is a composite data element containing many attributes of the specific location of a full address - see the current version of the Address line metadata item for further description and a list of its components for addresses located in Australia)
• Address type
• Australian state/territory identifier
• Country identifier
• Non-Australian State/province
• Postal delivery point identifier
• Postcode - Australian
• Postcode - international
• Suburb/town/locality

Some attributes of an address, located within Australia, also provide the elements to determine the Statistical Local Area (SLA) (Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ABS cat. no. 1216.0, effective up until 1 July 2011)) or the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) (Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ABS cat. nos. 1270.0.55.001 to 1270.0.55.005, effective from 1 July 2011)). This enables:

• comparison of the use of services by persons residing in different geographical areas,
• characterisation of catchment areas and populations for facilities for planning purposes, and
• documentation of provision of services to clients who reside in other states or territories. The address is also a relevant element in the unambiguous identification of a Health Care Client and a Health Care Provider.

AS5017 Health Care Client Identification, 2002, Sydney: Standards Australia

AS4846 Health Care Provider Identification, 2004, Sydney: Standards Australia