Access other Australian Government data

The DATA Scheme

The DATA Scheme is a best practice scheme for sharing Australian Government data. The Scheme is focused on increasing the availability and use of Australian Government data for the benefit of the Australian community. It aims to support the delivery of government services that are simple, effective and respectful. It also aims to inform better government policies and programs and world-leading research and development. 

Commonwealth, state and territory government bodies and Australian universities may be able to become accredited to request and use Australian Government data.

Other entities, including your organisation, can partner with accredited entities to access data using the Scheme. This may include accredited entities providing access to project findings, or by working together to deliver a data sharing project.

Pathways within the Australian Bureau of Statistics

There are many ways to access Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data. This is in addition to data available on the ABS website. 

The ABS consultancy service

You can also use the ABS consultancy service(Opens in a new tab/window) to help you with your data request.  

This team of experts will find published data, suggest another data option, or refer you to a subject matter expert. 

Where data you need is not public, the ABS consultancy service can provide you with customised data. When submitting a data request:

• Outline the topic you are looking for - be as specific as possible.
• Briefly outline how you will use the data. 
• Specify for when you want the data. 
• Specify what areas you want the data to cover - use ABS Maps(Opens in a new tab/window) as a guide for selecting the best option.
• Specify the population you want to measure. Do you require a count of people, households, services or businesses? What age groups, specific populations, or characteristics are you interested in? 
• Specify whether you need a comparison group. 
• Are you trying to replicate a measure that is in another publication?
• What format would you like the data provided in (for example, .xlsx, .csv file)?

Consultancy requests are priced to meet ABS costs in delivering information to you. You will not be charged unless you agree to proceed with the work. 

Requesting access to non-public data outside of the ABS 

Various government agencies can provide you with data by request. 

For example, request forms are available for the:

• Department of Social Services
• Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited(Opens in a new tab/window)
• National Disability Data Asset(Opens in a new tab/window). 

When submitting a data request form, you might consider the following steps:  

1. Check that the data is not publicly available somewhere. 
   • Learn more at find community-level data or data.gov.au(Opens in a new tab/window) may have what you are looking for. 
2. Consider the geography, population and time period you need data for. 
   • Data that is less granular (larger population) may be easier to provide in a timely manner. 
3. Approach the data custodian or agency to confirm: 
   • What process they have to request data.  
   • The best contact person.   
   • If they have provided the data to other entities or have published it elsewhere. This may save time if others have already done the analytical work. 
4. You could also ask the custodian or agency the following questions: 
   • Is there a reason the data isn’t publicly available, such as data quality or confidentiality concerns?
   • Can the data be requested and by whom, for what purpose?  
   • In what format will the data be provided?  
   • Is there work that needs to be done to this data to use it statistically? 
5. Before submitting a request, draft an approach and check with the data custodian that it meets their needs.
6. Once you have received the data and the data has been used, we suggest you provide feedback to the custodian on how you used the data.  

More government resources for finding and working with data

There are many existing resources that provide access to Australian Government data. These can also support data analysis at the community level. 

These resources are part of government efforts to increase government data accessibility. While these are useful resources, the toolkit is designed to support community-specific needs. 

Dataplace

Dataplace(Opens in a new tab/window) is the digital platform that makes it easier to find, request, and use data held by the Australian Government. The platform is also used by the National Data Commissioner to regulate the DATA Scheme.

Dataplace features the Australian Government Data Catalogue(Opens in a new tab/window), which helps you find open and restricted data held by Australian Government agencies. 

You can use Dataplace to:

• search for data(Opens in a new tab/window) in the Australian Government Data Catalogue(Opens in a new tab/window)
• request data from Australian Government agencies, including under the DATA Scheme
• apply for accreditation to be a data user or data service provider under the DATA Scheme
• develop and manage data sharing agreements using a centralised platform
• monitor and report on your data sharing activities – what data your entity is sharing, with who and for what purpose.

Visit the Office of the National Data Commissioner website read more about Dataplace(Opens in a new tab/window).

Other government resources 

Outside of Dataplace and the Australian Government Data Catalogue, the following government resources are also helpful: 

• Data.gov.au(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Meteor(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Regional Data Hub(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Australian Centre for Evaluation’s Evaluation Toolkit(Opens in a new tab/window)