National Data Commissioner Update - September 2022

With the DATA Scheme now open for business, I’m delighted to provide some early insights on how it is beginning to operate. We now have 18 entities registered on Dataplace, and a pool of organisations active in developing their applications for accreditation as a data user. These are the first steps you need to take to make a data request. A major milestone this month is there are now six data service providers that have been accredited as participants in the DATA Scheme: 

• Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Australian Institute of Family Studies
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Commonwealth Social Services Department
• Queensland Treasury
• Victorian Department of Health.

These entities are expert in providing data integration, de-identification and secure access data services and can help you with sharing data safely.

Please do get in touch if you are interested in registering on Dataplace and applying for accreditation under the scheme. Keep in mind we have further information sessions on the DATA Scheme coming up: a public information session on 25 October, making a data request on 12 October, and developing a data sharing agreement on 19 October. You can register here.

Thank you for your more than 30 submissions on the Data Code. We are working through them with the aim of making the Code before the end of the year.

The DATA Scheme is all about making better use of data to deliver better government services, inform government policies and programs, and support research and innovation. I've been reading some recent publications from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that do just that. To pique your interest, have a look at AIHW's Housing Data Dashboard.

As always, I welcome your feedback on all of ONDC’s activities, including on our website. Please tell us about your ideas by using the website's Contact Us form or email us at information@datacommissioner.gov.au

We look forward to hearing from you.

Gayle