Public data is a valuable national asset underpinning Australia’s ability to realise economic and social objectives. Public data is information collected or generated by the Australian Government and includes demographic, location, health, education, economic, business and other information.
The Department of Finance’s data policy functions aim to:
- maximise the appropriate use and re-use of data by the Australian Public Service, including by addressing systemic challenges and opportunities
- provide advice and support to entities on their use of data
- organising collective action to build APS-wide strategies, frameworks and actions to mature data capability and activity
- encourage appropriate sharing of public data, including the release of non-sensitive data by default
- collaborate with state and territory governments and the private and research sectors to extend the value of public data for the benefit of the Australian public
- engage with international governments to share approaches and identify best practice
- implement governance mechanisms to support these functions, including supporting the Deputy Secretaries Data Group, the Data Champions Network and the Data and Digital Ministers Meeting.
The effective use and sharing of public data helps improve the evidence-base for government policy decisions, supports better government service delivery and provides Australians with the data they need. A balance exists in maximising the economic, social and environmental benefits of using public data, while maintaining a strong commitment to appropriate guardrails, such as ethics, privacy and security.
The Data and Digital Government Strategy outlines the Government’s vision for the APS data and digital transformation. This is supported by the Implementation Plan that will be updated yearly to the actions the Government will take to achieve the Strategy’s 20230 vision.
Find out more about our work through the tiles below.
