DataPoints: July 2025 Edition

While the statutory review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 progresses, the show goes on. Our trusted data sharing community grew in June, with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) gaining accreditation as a user. Researchers at UTS can now benefit from the DATA Scheme’s safeguards and best practices to more easily access Australian Government data. The Queensland Treasury’s Accredited Data Service Provider (ADSP) status was also renewed, meaning data custodians can be assured a rigorous process was undertaken to assess their capability to continue providing data services. 

DATA Scheme Working Group

The ONDC is continuing to implement the actions identified by the DATA Scheme Working Group to facilitate data sharing across all levels of government. The Data Availability and Transparency Amendment (No. 1) Code 2025 commenced on 20 June 2025 and expressly recognises the rights and obligations of State and Territory bodies in respect of data they share under a contract or agreement through a Commonwealth body into a DATA Scheme data sharing project. The amendments apply new requirements to data sharing agreements that are entered into on or after 1 July 2025. Learn about the Code Amendment here.

In response to the Working Group’s recommendation to provide material to support data custodian’s reliance on the accreditation process, the ONDC will be inviting agencies to a session that delves deeper into the accreditation process. The session will outline how the accreditation framework was developed, requirements for accreditation, how accreditation provides safeguards to enable the safe sharing of data, and how the framework aligns with and supports the national data and privacy principles. If you are interested in attending, please contact the ONDC at: information@datacommissioner.gov.au. 

Improving data discoverability on the Australian Government Data Catalogue

The Australian Government Data Catalogue recently introduced a demographic filter. This feature improves the visibility of records for gender or sex-based analysis, Indigenous data, and data relating to people with disabilities. Discover the new filter here.

The new demographic filter is based on keywords data custodians attach to their metadata records. Data custodians are encouraged to tag records with appropriate keywords to improve discoverability of data relevant to enduring government priorities. Learn more about searching the Catalogue here.

We are hosting 2 webinars in July

• How to become an Accredited User – tomorrow, Thursday, 3 July at 10:30am AEST. An overview of how organisations may become Accredited Users. Register here.
• Making data sharing requests – Tuesday, 22 July at 10:30am AEST. An overview and walk-through of the process of requesting data through the DATA Scheme using Dataplace. Register here.

Notifiable Data Breaches Report

In 2024, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) recorded a record-breaking 1,113 data breaches involving personal information, a 25% rise compared to the previous year. Malicious and criminal attacks were the primary cause, particularly cyber security incidents. Read the OAIC’s media release here.

Alongside health service providers, government agencies reported the most breaches, underscoring vulnerabilities in both sectors. The public sector continues to lag in timely breach identification and notification, despite improvements. Refer to the ONDC’s guidance notes on Reporting requirements under the DATA Scheme and Data breach responsibilities under the DATA Scheme to better understand your agency’s responsibilities around data breach notification and prevention.

To further support Scheme entities, we will be hosting webinars in September on data breaches under the DATA Scheme, and Scheme entities' responsibilities and reporting obligations. To secure your place, please register here.

Good reads for the data community

Jeremy Hirschhorn, Second Commissioner, Client Engagement Group, Australian Taxation Office, recently gave an address at the 16th ATAX International Conference hosted by the University of New South Wales. Jeremy touched on the importance of government agencies being worthy of trust and managing the potential of AI with data sharing governance and principles. 

This month the National Data Commissioner spoke at the 2025 Australian Government Solicitor Technology Forum. This was a great opportunity to reflect on how the DATA Scheme can unlock the power of public data to deliver better outcomes for Australians. Read the speech here.

Good use of public data

The Australian Centre for Disease Control has launched a new open-access platform for its journal, Communicable Diseases Intelligence (CDI), making over 2,650 articles freely available. This digitised archive spans decades of public health data, including surveillance reports and peer-reviewed research. Hosted on the Open Journal Systems platform, it enhances accessibility and searchability for researchers and policymakers. The initiative supports evidence-based decision-making and fosters collaboration across the health sector. It’s a strong example of how public data can be preserved and leveraged for long-term societal benefit.

We welcome your feedback and contributions to future editions of DataPoints, particularly insights on how data has been used to deliver public benefit. Please get in touch to share your contributions. Also, follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed.

Andrew

Acting National Data Commissioner