Australia’s Chief Scientist, Prof Tony Haymet, delivered a keynote address at the International Data Week 2025 in Brisbane, outlining reforms to public sector data governance frameworks. The address highlighted the transformative impact of the Data Availability and Transparency Act and the National Data Advisory Council Framework on managing, sharing, and protecting public data by Commonwealth, state, and territory agencies. This initiative enhances evidence-based policy, fosters research collaboration, and improves service delivery to Australian communities.
The Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 took effect on 1 April 2022, launching the DATA Scheme. This legislation allows Commonwealth bodies to share public sector data with accredited users, including state and territory government entities and Australian universities.
Prof Haymet highlighted that the Act “helps unlock the value of public data in this country safely responsibly and for the benefit of all Australians” and has “helped to shift the mindset from data as a risk to data as a resource.”
The Act creates three participant categories: Data Custodians manage public sector data; Accredited Users access and use government data; and Accredited Data Service Providers offer services in data integration, de-identification, and secure access. The initiative removes data-sharing obstacles by providing authorisations that enable collaboration, ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act 1988, and implementing necessary cybersecurity measures.
Rod Sims leads the National Data Advisory Council, which provides strategic guidance on ethics, privacy protection, trust, and transparency. Professor Haymet collaborates with Associate Professor Kalinda Griffiths, who brings her expertise in First Nations data, and Professor Peter Leonard, who shares his knowledge in technology and data governance on the council. The council supports the National Data Commissioner in overseeing data sharing practices among Commonwealth agencies, focusing on data protection and community expectations as key elements of policy development.
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The National Data Advisory Council, under the leadership of Rod Sims, offers critical counsel on matters pertaining to ethics, privacy safeguards, confidence, and openness. Professor Haymet is joined on the council by Associate Professor Kalinda Griffiths, an expert on First Nations data, and Professor Peter Leonard, who specialises in technology and data governance. The council backs the National Data Commissioner in managing data sharing among Commonwealth agencies, highlighting data protection and community expectations as vital for policy development.
Prof Haymet highlighted that the framework shows a “growing awareness in the community government and in science about Indigenous data sovereignty and the need to embed Indigenous governance and knowledge systems into data practices.”
These measures recognise the importance of Indigenous data sovereignty, facilitate community-driven access agreements, and establish metadata standards. In August 2024, officials unveiled a significant document that outlines Australia’s trajectory for research computing and data infrastructure through to 2030, marking a pivotal moment for the National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy.
The strategy identifies six key priority outcomes: Training frameworks adapt to technological changes and support infrastructure. Establish uniform standards to integrate data collection and curation across various computing and data tiers. Boost cybersecurity for large-scale national operations and maximise effectiveness by using publicly accessible research software tools.
Prof Haymet emphasised that the strategy “reflects the central role of digital research infrastructure when it comes to scientific discovery” and encompasses data generated through research advanced computing secure and scalable systems and highly-skilled workforce capabilities.
These investments boost cloud storage, high-performance computing, and cyber resilience, strengthening digital government operations. The governance frameworks address key issues in breaking down data silos between government agencies while ensuring robust privacy protections. The DATA Scheme boosts collaboration among Commonwealth state and territory bodies to promote evidence-based policy development. Implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning requires a framework for structured data governance to ensure ethical use. The Australian Research Data Commons drives interconnected research infrastructure nationwide.
Prof Haymet highlighted that “when data is shared across borders it accelerates discovery and deepens insight” transforming data into a force multiplier at global levels.
Public sector leaders need to align their agency operations with these frameworks as Australia moves towards its 2030 vision, which aims to offer simple, secure, and connected public services through excellent data and digital capabilities.
Leaders must urgently execute accredited data sharing under the DATA Act, forge Indigenous data partnerships within the seven-year framework, and allocate resources for digital research infrastructure that aligns with the National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy. The frameworks enable agencies to break down data silos, drive evidence-based policy creation, and apply artificial intelligence ethically, all while maintaining robust privacy protections and cybersecurity measures that balance transparency with public trust.
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