Our Priorities

With the DATA Scheme now fully operational, we will continue to adopt a facilitative posture, focusing on three priorities: 

1. Facilitate data sharing and support continued uptake of the DATA Scheme 
2. Increase accredited entities and promote adherence to Scheme requirements, and
3. Educate and guide on best practice data handling and sharing.

1.  Facilitate data sharing and support uptake

Our focus is on data sharing to increase the availability and use of public data to deliver public benefit.

We are committed to supporting eligible entities to identify uses for the DATA Scheme, including using the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 (the Act) to authorise sharing data that was previously restricted due to legal and other impediments.

We will continue to support and guide government agencies on using the DATA Scheme, in particular continuing to build the National Disability Data Asset – an initiative of all Australian governments working with the disability community that will help better support people with disability, their carers, and the community.

We will continue to support universities to make data sharing requests under the Scheme as an enabler of research and innovation.

We will provide guidance and advice to eligible entities about how the DATA Scheme works in practice and facilitate and assist with developing data sharing agreements.

We take on board complaints, seek feedback regarding any shortfalls in administration of the DATA Scheme to enable us to adapt our operations to a user-based focus. This helps us improve our service offering and contribute to the statutory review of the Act, which is required to commence by April 2025.

2.  Increase accredited entities and facilitate adherence

We will continue to expand participation of the DATA Scheme by encouraging and supporting eligible entities to apply for accreditation. We are committed to supporting entities with their applications for accreditation, including making the process as simple as possible and assisting with onboarding onto Dataplace. We will continue to develop and promote our processes and guidance so that entities are aware of the criteria against which they will be assessed. We will maintain our record of assessing applications in line with our service level standards. 

We are taking a facilitative and enabling approach to our regulatory functions, with an emphasis on supporting data sharing in a safe manner to strengthen services and outcomes for the Australian community. In step with the increased activity under the DATA Scheme, we will more actively monitor and assess the conduct and data sharing practices of Scheme participants. This will enable us to identify where participants need further support to meet their obligations.

3.  Educate and guide on best practice

To build trust in the use of public sector data, we are committed to strengthening data handling and sharing across the Australian Public Service and delivering best practice institutional arrangements and transparency in data sharing.

We will build on our work to date with Australian Government agencies to develop and maintain their data inventories, and support their inclusion in our searchable Australian Government Data Catalogue. We will further develop Dataplace so it guides Scheme participants and others to apply consistent and best data sharing practices, making sharing more efficient and aligned with the requirements of the Act.

We will continue to guide and educate Scheme participants and others in best practice data handling and sharing. This includes encouraging the use of the Scheme’s best practices when sharing public sector data even when entities cannot or do not need to rely on the Act to authorise the sharing of data. It also involves building the capability of Scheme participants to minimise the risk of a data breach, and to mitigate harm from any breach.