Dataplace is managed by the Office of the National Data Commissioner (ONDC) on behalf of the Australian Government. The ONDC is a part of the Department of Finance.
The ONDC is assisted by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) in administering the Dataplace platform.
The ONDC supports the National Data Commissioner to increase the availability and use of Australian Government data for public benefit, including under the DATA Scheme – established by the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022. You can read more about the National Data Commissioner and the DATA Scheme at datacommissioner.gov.au.
Dataplace is for government agencies (Commonwealth, state, territory, and local) as well as Australian universities, researchers, and private sector organisations who want access to Australian Government data.
Dataplace will also make information about data sharing activities available to the public.
On Dataplace, data custodians are Australian Government (Commonwealth) agencies who collect and hold data about Australia and Australian people and businesses so they can deliver government services and programs.
Data users are from universities, all levels of government, as well as private sector organisations such as advocacy groups or strategic policy institutes. They may seek data to undertake research, or to partner with government to evaluate its program or design new programs or services.
Dataplace also supports organisations to apply for accreditation under the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022, data sharing scheme (DATA Scheme). Eligible organisations such as most Australian Government agencies, state, territory, and local government agencies as well as Australian universities can apply to be accredited as a user and/or a data service provider under the DATA Scheme.
One platform, one service, one process
Data requestors have told us that it is difficult to know what data is available, where to find it and who holds the data. They have also said it is confusing, as data request processes differ between agencies with some agencies using several processes which may be not well described.
Dataplace makes it easier for users to request data and to collaborate on data sharing agreements, particularly where there might be multiple custodians of a data asset.
Dataplace will:
Australian Government agencies collect many types of data delivering a wide range of programs and services to Australians, businesses, the Australian community and when managing environmental programs. The data collected is growing with our increasingly digital life. Dataplace will make it easier to request access to this data, from any Australian Government agency.
Sometimes there can be barriers to sharing data. The Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 provides an alternative pathway to share data and particularly where there are barriers to sharing under an organisation’s current legislation. Sharing under the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 is facilitated on Dataplace. The Australian Government is committed to making non-sensitive data publicly available or 'open' by default. It has published many datasets on data.gov.au.
Dataplace can help you request access to Australian Government data that is not available on data.gov.au.
Australian Government agencies are the custodians of the data they collect, and they make decisions about how it can be shared safely. They are often guided by legislation and policy requirements that can define what and how data can be shared.
The Australian Government Data Catalogue (AGDC) is a searchable directory of open and restricted data assets held by participating government agencies. It has been developed by the ONDC that is fully integrated into the Dataplace platform.
The AGDC improves transparency and accessibility of data held by the Australian Government and assists users to find, share, and use that data. This helps deliver improved government services, inform government policy development, inform program design, and support research and development.
The use of the AGDC is not limited to DATA Scheme participants. Users can be Commonwealth, state, territory, and local government employees, university researchers and members of the public. The AGDC does not host Australian Government data but includes metadata records (information that describes the underlying data assets) of both open (publicly available) and restricted data.
The AGDC will:
To extract maximum value from Australian Government data holdings, agencies must firstly make their data assets discoverable by data users.
The AGDC is reliant on Australian Government agencies (data custodians) making their data inventories available. Uploading metadata records to the AGDC will help agencies manage data requests and foster positive relationships with other agencies.
For additional information on the AGDC, refer to the AGDC help page.
Questions relating to the AGDC can be directed to the ONDC via the Dataplace Contact us page or email information@datacommissioner.gov.au.
Questions relating to making a complaint or reporting a data breach, can be directed to the ONDC via the Dataplace Contact us page or email information@datacommissioner.gov.au.
DATA Scheme entities able to report an event or change in circumstance in accordance with Section 31 of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 using the Change in Circumstances page.
DATA Scheme data sharing agreement service was released. This function allowed draft agreements to be auto generated, reviewed, and amended if necessary. The finalised agreement could then be signed manually and then uploaded to Dataplace.
Dataplace 'general' (non-DATA Scheme) data sharing agreement service released. This provided the ability to auto-generate, review and amend agreements. The agreement could then be downloaded, signed manually and then uploaded to Dataplace.
Dataplace users now able to submit requests for data to any Australian Government agency (data custodians). Data custodians could then assess those data requests, and when there is in principle agreement to share data, both parties can collaborate on the arrangements to share data.
Australian universities can onboard to Dataplace and submit applications to become accredited users and/or accredited data service providers under the DATA Scheme.
Government agencies (Commonwealth, state, territory, and local) can onboard to Dataplace and submit applications to become accredited users and/or accredited data service providers under the DATA Scheme.