What data can you request through Dataplace?

We encourage data requestors to check key sites of published data, such as data.gov.au and national map, to see if the data you are seeking is already publicly available.

If the data you are seeking is not publicly available you can make a request for that data through Dataplace.

Australian Government agencies will receive your request and they will consider the nature of your project including how it may benefit the public, the type of data you are seeking and whether it can be shared safely.

How does the data request process work?

There are five key stages to request access to Australian Government data as shown above.

It starts with an individual submitting a request for data. At this stage only the individual and any other people they have nominated to contribute to the request can edit the form.

When the data requestor submits the form to a data custodian, the request form is locked. The custodian can see the details of the request (but cannot edit it) and makes an assessment about whether the data can be shared safely.

If the data custodian makes an in principle decision to share data, this will ‘unlock’ the form and more questions will be made available. Both parties (the data requestor and the custodian) can edit the form and answer the more specific questions about arrangements for sharing the data.

Once parties have answered necessary questions (not all are mandatory), they can seek a review of proposed arrangement, perhaps by legal areas or technical support areas. The form is ‘locked’ when it is in review.

If the review stage identifies further issues to be resolved, the form can be moved back into collaboration stage and parties can address the issues and edit the content, before then seeking a review and agreement.

If all parties agree the arrangements are suitable, a notification is sent to approving officers seeking formal agreement of the arrangements.

Does there have to be a data sharing agreement before data can be shared?

In most cases, yes, but Dataplace allows custodians to nominate one of four pathways for sharing data.

Data custodians can decide to share data under the new Data Availability and Transparency Act’s data sharing scheme. If they do, they will be required by law to enter into a data sharing agreement under the DATA Scheme. Dataplace will generate a data sharing agreement based on the responses to the questions consistent with the DATA Scheme.

Data custodians can decide to share data under a standard data sharing arrangement. Dataplace will generate a data sharing agreement, using a new whole of government standard clause bank, and based on the responses to the questions. This will be for sharing occuring under legislation other than the DAT Act or some other authority.

Data custodians can develop their own project specific data sharing agreement. Custodians and data requestors can upload this document to Dataplace.

Data custodians can decide no formal agreement is needed. Dataplace will record that there is no formal data sharing agreement, although it will provide users the ability to generate a summary of the project based on the responses to the questions.

First time making a request?

Your organisation needs to be onboarded before you can start making requests for data on Dataplace. See the onboarding help page and the How to guide: Onboarding for more information.

When your organisation is onboarded, they will need to assign people to key roles to help facilitate the flow and management of data requests. All organisations need to assign people to the organisation administrator role and to the approving officer role. Dataplace will use a digital approval process where possible. You can find out more about Dataplace roles and responsibilities.

Once your organisation is set-up on Dataplace, people associated with that organisation (such as employees) will be able to submit a request for data.