DataPoints - National Data Commissioner Update April 2024

In line with our focus on facilitating data sharing, we are supporting accredited data users to make their first requests for data under the Scheme. Please contact us if you would like help. You can also register to join our webinar this month on How to make a data sharing request.

Since my last message, we have accredited 3 more data users – the University of Western Australia, the WA Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. They can now make requests for Australian government data.

We have also recently accredited the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Institute as a data service provider – the first university to be accredited as a data service provider under the Scheme.

Please contact us if you would like to apply to be an accredited user or data service provider. There are also these resources to help you. Go to our register to find out who else is accredited to participate in the DATA Scheme.

In April, 4 more Australian government agencies completed projects with the ONDC to develop and enhance their data inventories: the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the Federal Court of Australia, the Australian Digital Health Agency and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).

We are continuing to develop the Australian Government Data Catalogue, with a view to launching a Beta version mid-year. We are asking Australian Government entities to contribute their data inventory to the Catalogue. Please contact us so we can show you how. The value of the catalogue is critically dependent on Australian Government entities keeping their data inventories complete and up-to-date. For help on this, you can join our webinar on 22 May and use our guidance.

Want to understand how to make data sharing requests under the DATA Scheme?

We are hosting webinars and online meetings on 22 May 2024. Join us for one, or all, if you want to deep dive into making and responding to data requests and building your organisation’s data capability:

• Building your organisation’s data inventory – 10am AEST – Register here.

Learn about different technology solutions and governance strategies to build and sustain a data inventory for your organisation.

• How to make a data sharing request – 11:30am – Register here.

An overview and walkthrough of the process of requesting data through the DATA Scheme using Dataplace.

• Responding to data sharing requests – 1:30pm – Register here.

An overview of a data custodian’s obligations to consider and respond to data sharing requests, and how requests can be managed through Dataplace.

Good reads for the data community – ‘Power-up’ your privacy during Privacy Awareness Week starting 6 May 2024!

Privacy Awareness Week, led by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, will run from 6-12 May. It is a great opportunity to consider what you can do to ‘power-up’ privacy for yourself, your business, or agency. ONDC are proud supporters. Find out more here.

Good uses of public data

The Medicines Intelligence Centre of Research Excellence (MI-CRE) at University of New South Wales has recently developed the Medicines Intelligence (MedIntel) Data Platform. This is an enduring linked data platform, connecting Medicare, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, hospital, emergency, cancer and death records. The platform enables population-based studies examining the use, safety and effectiveness of prescribed medicines. The first study using the MedIntel platform has been published. The study on the use of cardiometabolic medicines for Type 2 Diabetes treatment across NSW found that system and prescriber interventions are needed to increase the use of highly efficacious medicines. It will be the first of many studies to harness the linked data asset. Find out more about MedIntel here.

If you have feedback or something to share in future editions of DataPoints, please get in touch. We are always interested to hear your stories, including how you have used data to deliver public benefit. Also, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn!

Gayle