National Data Advisory Council Meeting Reports
The National Data Advisory Council met on 18 March 2025, chaired by Rod Sims AO. Members welcomed Australia’s new Chief Scientist Prof Tony Haymet and acknowledged the important contributions of outgoing members Prof Sallie Pearson and Dr Josh Meltzer.
The Council considered the latest DATA Scheme developments, including
- the increase in data requests and sharing, many to create and access the National Disability Data Asset.
- Action ONDC is taking in response to feedback from Scheme participants, as identified by the DATA Scheme Working Group. Actions that have been fully implemented include:
- introducing a short form data sharing agreement;
- publishing guidance on Allowed Access to Project Output and Third party participation in the DATA Scheme; and
- a formal process for Scheme participants to request advice from the National Data Commissioner on how the Scheme applies to them in specific circumstances.
Council members also discussed the statutory review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022. Learn more about the review.
The Council reviewed progress towards ONDC’s 2024-25 priorities and performance targets and provided advice on priorities and performance targets for 2025-26.
The National Data Advisory Council held its third and final meeting for 2024 on Tuesday, 19 November. The meeting was chaired by Rod Sims AO.
The Council reviewed the latest data sharing activities. The number of data sharing requests continues to increase, particularly from universities. Members discussed the challenges faced in data sharing. They acknowledged some of the requests being considered through the Scheme now are complex requests, which may not have been able to be facilitated by another mechanism previously.
The Council noted the findings and supported actions from the DATA Scheme Working Group. This group was established to understand issues experienced with the Scheme and propose potential solutions. The Council underscored the importance of early implementation of priority actions. These include developing a simplified data sharing agreement template and publishing guidance on exit of data from the Scheme, indirect access by non-Scheme entities, and the scope of projects permitted under the Scheme.
Members also discussed the increasing use of AI and the potential for applying AI to DATA Scheme projects. The discussion emphasised the need for sector-specific regulations and clearer frameworks for AI, especially in data sharing.
The Council was advised on the statutory review of the DATA Scheme that must commence by April 2025. Members noted the importance of this review in addressing challenges and providing an opportunity to consider legislative changes to improve the operation and impact of Scheme.
The National Data Advisory Council held its second meeting for the year on Tuesday 20 August 2024. Members welcomed Ms Elizabeth Tydd to the Council as the newly appointed Australian Information Commissioner. The meeting was Chaired by Rod Sims AO.
The Council reviewed the draft National Data Commissioner’s annual report for 2023-24. The report highlights key achievements such as tripling the number of entities accredited to participate in the DATA Scheme and the four-fold increase in data requests.
Members were provided with an update on instances of data sharing under the Scheme. The Council noted the strong efforts of the Office and discussed emerging challenges, including scalability once the uptake of the Scheme increases. The Council also discussed the progress of the DATA Scheme Working Group which has been convened to explore and clarify issues experienced with the Scheme and propose potential solutions. The Group has completed its discovery and define phases, identifying the issues and barriers to update of the Scheme. It is now focused on developing and implementing solutions. The Group will consult broadly on the solutions.
The Council noted the beta launch of the Australian Government Data Catalogue. To improve the discoverability of data assets held by Australian Government agencies, members encouraged further action to increase the number of data assets listed in the Catalogue.
The National Data Advisory Council met on Tuesday 19 March 2024 with Rod Sims AO as the Chair.
The Council welcomed Peter Leonard, a data and technology expert, as a new member. The Council expressed their appreciation for the invaluable advice outgoing members Paul McCarney and Angelene Falk have provided on the development and implementation of the DATA Scheme.
The Council considered progress on data sharing and challenges with uptake of the DATA Scheme, reflecting on what ONDC is learning from working with eligible Scheme entities and others to apply the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 as well as from feedback and complaints. Members provided advice on actions the ONDC could take to facilitate more data sharing and uptake of the DATA Scheme. They underscored the importance of ONDC embedding a facilitative posture, improving and streamlining our services to make it as easy as possible for entities to adopt the DATA Scheme best practices and tools, and preparing for the statutory review of the Act in 2025.
ONDC provided an update on the Data Inventory Pilot Project. Following a demonstration of the Australian Government Data Catalogue and how it will be integrated with Dataplace, the Council discussed the roll out of these services.
The National Data Advisory Council held its third and final meeting for 2023 on Tuesday, 21 November. The meeting was chaired by Rod Sims AO.
Members endorsed the minutes and actions from the August meeting and agreed on the proposed forward agenda for 2024.
The Council advised on ONDC’s draft Regulation and Compliance Annual Priorities for 2023-24. The 2023-24 priorities include monitoring of accredited data users and data service providers, in addition to the existing priorities: supporting safe data sharing, handling complaints, and minimising the risk of data breaches.
Members provided advice on ONDC’s approach to handling data breach draft guidance for entities to prepare and respond to data breaches under the DATA Scheme, and options to require Scheme participants to report data breaches in a timely way. The Council recommended ONDC align any new requirement for Scheme participants to report data breaches within a specified time frame with the reporting requirements of other regulators.
The Council provided advice on how ONDC can contribute to the governance of Indigenous data priorities. Members discussed the history of indigenous data sovereignty and underscored the importance of protecting the rights and interest of indigenous people relating to the collection, ownership, storage, and application of data about their communities. Members spoke about ensuring that data assets are flagged for indigeneity. They emphasised the importance of making indigenous data assets as accessible and discoverable as possible.
The National Data Advisory Council held its second meeting for 2023 on Tuesday, 22 August 2023.
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, addressed the Council and discussed the Government’s initial Data and Digital Government Strategy. The strategy outlines a vision to deliver simple, secure, and connected public services for all people and business through world class data and digital capabilities. The strategy was released earlier in the year for consultation and is expected to be finalised and published by the end of 2023.
The Council provided advice on use cases for the DATA Scheme, emphasising the importance of delivery of better outcomes for Australians. Members discussed next steps for Dataplace, the program to support Australian Government agencies to develop their data inventories and the Australian Government Data Catalogue. The Council reviewed ONDC’s procedures and guidance for Scheme participants and others on handling complaints. They provided advice on how to make it clear and easy for people to make complaints. The Council reviewed ONDC’s procedures for assessing applications for accreditation as a data service provider. Members discussed issues with reidentifying data and best practices to mitigate the risks.
The National Data Advisory Council held its first meeting for 2023 on Friday, 17 March 2023. The meeting was chaired by newly appointed Chair, Rod Sims AO.
The Council reviewed ONDC’s approach to providing guidance which support participants to engage effectively with the DATA Scheme, including recently published guidance notes. Members endorsed the approach of providing easily understood, practical guidance to participants.
Members discussed the ONDC’s procedures for assessing applications for user accreditation and noted the importance of having a consistent accreditation process.
The Council considered the ONDC’s approach to handling a potential Scheme data breach, including timeframes for reporting, the importance of preventative measures, as well as planning the response and the benefits of alignment with other reporting standards.
The National Data Advisory Council met on 6 December 2022. The meeting was chaired by the National Data Commissioner, Ms Gayle Milnes.
Members endorsed the minutes and actions from the October meeting and a forward agenda for 2023.
Members considered feedback from Scheme participants and others and provided advice on ONDC’s engagement activities going forward. The Council also discussed early DATA Scheme use cases emphasising the importance of use cases that improved citizen services and demonstrated excellence in research.
The Council discussed ONDC’s draft Regulation and Compliance Strategy and Action Plan. Members underscored the importance of taking enforcement action in circumstances where the Scheme’s integrity was at risk.
Members reviewed ONDC’s transparency and reporting mechanisms and obligations, and provided advice on how these can evolve as the Scheme matures.
The statutory National Data Advisory Council held its second meeting on 4 October 2022. The meeting was chaired by the National Data Commissioner, Ms Gayle Milnes. Members endorsed minutes and actions from the June meeting, and a forward agenda for the December meeting.
The Council reviewed the ONDC’s communication and engagement strategy and provided feedback on the strategy and its action plan, including sharing lessons from the private sector and others.
Members viewed a live demonstration of Dataplace, the new IT platform that supports data sharing and administration of the DATA Scheme. The Council provided feedback on the data request and data sharing services that are being developed for release later this year.
The Council discussed progress with the Data Discovery program and the draft Data Inventory Guide that brings together the learnings from the three pilot Data Inventory Projects undertaken by the ONDC. Members provided advice on future steps regarding the development of an Australian Government Data Catalogue.
Members provided advice on how Commonwealth agencies can consider recovering the costs of data sharing, in accordance with s140 of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 and existing government policy.
The statutory National Data Advisory Council held its first meeting on 30 June 2022. The virtual meeting was chaired by the National Data Commissioner, Ms Gayle Milnes.
Members endorsed terms of reference for the Council and agreed a forward agenda and schedule of meetings.
The Council discussed draft objectives, measures and targets for the DATA Scheme, emphasising the importance of being able to demonstrate public benefit from sharing data. They also discussed challenges with establishing baselines, identifying benchmarks, attribution and creating the right incentives.
Council members provided advice on a draft data code which will guide scheme participants on how the data sharing principles are to be applied, focused on the public interest test as well as the approaches to consent, privacy and ethics.
The Council considered the National Data Commissioner's draft regulatory posture and annual regulation and compliance priorities, noting the importance of timeliness and a risk-based approach.
The Council discussed the approach to accrediting data service providers under the DATA Scheme, providing advice on proposed questions and processes as they applied to the range of scheme participants (Commonwealth and state government agencies as well as universities), offering different data services.