Enabling Accessible Open Data

Enabling accessible open data

Open data is about giving open access to data that is:

• Structured – The data is recorded in a uniform way based on a common model. This can be as simple as a spreadsheet with rules around how the data is recorded. For example, if one of the inputs is the state or territory that a program is run in, there could be a rule that the state is recorded as ‘WA’ rather than ‘Western Australia’ or ‘Wstn Aus’.
• Machine Readable – The data is digitised and available in a format that can be read automatically by machines for retrieval, downloading, indexing and searching.
• Licenced to minimise the limits on how people can use and redistribute the data.

There are three broad data types found in Government Agencies:

• Raw data generated out of business as usual activities – such as spatial data from a program, energy ratings data, crime statistics, administration data, etc. Often this data is stored in databases and primarily used in business applications.
• Processed data – new data that results from a process such as tables from annual reports, FOI logs, other data generated for the functions and running of agencies. This could also be an aggregate view of a raw data set, fit for public access.
• System data – data that is automatically generated from other processes such as web analytics, project management, access logs and other systems.

Identifying different data across your organisation means getting out of the traditional data teams and looks at other datasets that exist and how you can leverage them to improve services, policies and efficiencies.

Reminder: Data.gov.au is a beta product

Please be mindful that Data.gov.au is a beta product. Whilst every effort is made to maintain appropriate levels of security and maintain confidentiality, data custodians should consider their risk profile before loading data. As a beta product Data.gov.au aims to meet the minimum needs of users, our focus has been on ensuring a secure environment for data to be loaded.

Custodians are also reminded that they have responsibility for the confidentiality of the data they load to Data.gov.au. Once loaded, there are no checks undertaken by the platform on datasets to ensure there is no personal information or confidentiality rules are maintained.

At this time there are no plans to uplift Data.gov.au out of the beta product. If this changes in the future, a Discovery project was undertaken in 2022 that can provide the basis for improvements. If you would like a copy, please contact support@data.gov.au