National Data Commissioner Update - August 2022
August was a busy month as we opened up the DATA Scheme to more participants, began consulting on two subordinate legislative instruments and launched our new website.
The DATA Scheme is now fully open as we met the last of our legislated timeframes under the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022. Australian universities can now apply for accreditation as data users. All scheme participants – Australian, state and territory government agencies and Australian universities – can apply for accreditation as data service providers. Find out more about applying for accreditation to participate in the DATA Scheme on our website.
We also began consulting on two exposure drafts of subordinate legislation. We are looking forward to your feedback on:
1. The proposed Rule to Transition Accredited Integrating Authorities into the DATA Scheme
Accredited Data Service Providers (ADSPs) are expert intermediaries in the DATA Scheme who provide specialist data services including complex data integration, de-identification and secure access data services. The Minister for Finance is proposing to make a rule prescribing existing eligible Accredited Integrating Authorities become ADSPs for a transition period (to 30 July 2025) to support the operation of the DATA Scheme. The rule and supporting materials can be viewed at Consultation on Transitional Rules. Feedback on the Rule is invited by close of business on 12 September 2022.
2. The draft Data Availability and Transparency Code 2022
I am proposing to make a code of practice to support the implementation of the DATA Scheme. The code will provide further guidance on how to apply the data sharing principles, privacy protections, the public interest test and ethics, as well as data sharing agreements. The code and supporting materials can be viewed at Consultation on the Data Code. Feedback is invited on the code by close of business on 14 September 2022.
Dataplace, our digital platform to help make and manage your data requests, is increasing its functionality with all accreditation services now available. I invite you to on-board your organisation to Dataplace, by going to the Dataplace Portal and clicking the ‘get started’ button. The next release for Dataplace will enable you to make data requests and create data sharing agreements. We’ve heard through our Beta testing that users want some additional collaboration capability when making a data request. We are responding to that feedback and are working towards a new release date for this service in mid-October.
Thank you for your ongoing interest in the ONDC’s information sessions which we are continuing to roll out, including new sessions on data sharing agreements. You can see the updated schedule here and the links to register.
I was interested to see the Productivity Commission’s interim report on productivity identify 'data policy, digital technology and cyber security' as one of the four priority areas to boost Australia’s productivity. It and the follow-up report released this week on Australia’s data and digital dividend are worth a read!
As always, I welcome your feedback on all the ONDC’s activities. So please don’t hesitate to be in touch by using the Contact Us form on our website or by emailing us at information@datacommissioner.gov.au.
Gayle