What is accreditation?
Accreditation serves as a gateway into the DATA Scheme, and ensures users are capable of handling public sector data and minimising risk of unauthorised access or use.
Accreditation under the DATA Scheme provides access to data held by Commonwealth data custodians with strong safeguards and regulatory oversight.
To become an Accredited Data Service Provider (ADSP), Commonwealth, state and territory government bodies must be assessed against legislative criteria. The Commissioner is responsible for assessing accreditation of data service providers. Where necessary, the Commissioner can impose conditions on accreditation.
Apply for accreditation as a data service provider
Organisations considering applying for accreditation are encouraged to contact the ONDC so that we can support you throughout the process.
Accredited Data Service Providers are Commonwealth, state and territory government bodies, and Australian universities that are able to provide one or more of the following services:
- complex data integration,
- de-identification, and
- secure data access services to support data sharing.
Data services provided by ADSPs
Commonwealth, state and territory government bodies and Australian universities may apply for accreditation. Some entities are excluded from participating in the Scheme - see below.
An organisation may be accredited as a data service provider with conditions. For example, they may have a condition that excludes a data service where the Accredited Data Service Provider does not meet the required capability level for that data service.
To lodge an application for data service provider accreditation under the DATA Scheme, use the online form available on Dataplace.
See the below resources to support your application for accreditation as a data service provider.
Can't use the Scheme?
The DATA Scheme was introduced in Australia to help make the most of Australian Government data and to drive best practice in data sharing.
Only Commonwealth, state and territory government bodies, and Australian universities may apply for accreditation and some Australian Government entities are excluded from participating in the DATA Scheme. Foreign entities are unable to access data under the DATA Scheme. For more information, see our guidance below.
When sharing is barred under the DATA Scheme
Third party participation in the DATA Scheme
The best practices and tools of the Scheme can still be used even where, for example, an alternative legal pathway is being used for sharing, or if your entity is not eligible to participate directly in the DATA Scheme. Get in touch to see how we can support your sharing.
