FAQs

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Q. What is the ABA?
Q. Why do publishers join the ABC or CAB?
Q. What is an audit?
Q. What is the difference between an ABC audit and a CAB audit?
Q. How often do audits take place?
Q. How do I get access to the data?
Q. How are audited figures used?
Q. How can advertisers and their agencies get the most out of audited data?

Q. What is the ABA?
A. The Audit Bureaux of Australia or (ABA) is the location for all ABC and CAB data and provides the
framework by which ABC and CAB members are audited.

The ABC was founded in 1932 and the CAB in 1957 to facilitate the buying and selling of advertising space and marketing expenditure.

The ABA audit services now extend beyond print to digital, exhibitions, surveys… To find out more click here.

Q. Why do publishers join ABC or CAB?
A. Publishers join the ABC or CAB and audit so that they are able to provide advertisers with independent proof of the circulation and distribution figures they quote. By committing to an audit, media owners are demonstrating their integrity in their willingness to be audited and to conform to industry standards.

Q. What is an audit?
A. Publisher’s data is audited to rigorous rules and standards set by the industry under the ABC and CAB. An ABC audit is an independent verification of the paid circulation of a print title and a CAB audit if the verification of the total distribution of a print title. Click here if you are unsure what category you fall into.

Q. What is the difference between an ABC audit and a CAB audit?
A. ABC audits are conducted to verify the circulation of paid-for copies of magazines and newspapers. Whereas, CAB audits are used to verify the distribution of free and controlled distribution magazines and newspapers.

Q. How often do audits take place?
A. The ABC reports data four times per year in February, May, August and November, covering four audit periods, January to March. April to June, July to September and October to December. Some publishers are required to audit in half-year periods.

The CAB reports data twice a year, in May for the October to March period and November for the April to September period.

To find out more about the audit schedules click here

Q. How do I get access to the data?
A. Casual visitors are invited to access headline figures for free from our ABC and CAB titles via our mobile website ABA Quick Find. Click here to sign up to the tool…

If you would like access to more data, historical as well as current, plus a range of reports, trends and tools to help you then you must become a member. Click here for more information about becoming a member.

Q. How are audited figures used?
A. ABC and CAB data is used in the planning, buying and negotiation process between buyers and sellers of advertising space. They are also used as part of the valuation process of publications and publicly quoted companies.

This data also plays a large part in the negotiation process between media buyers and sellers. They provide independent comparisons of publications, period on period, and also between publications.

Q. How can advertisers and their agencies get the most out of audited data?
A. By using ABC and CAB data regularly in the planning and buying process. Members can also become involved and take part in developing the rules that govern media reporting, having a say in how they are implemented and reported.

Contact the ABA for further details, or call us on 02 9954 9800.