The Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) was a three-year $130.8 million investment to maximise the use and value of the Government’s data assets from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2020. DIPA created new insights into important and complex policy questions through data integration and analysis.
DIPA was a whole-of-government collaboration of over 20 Commonwealth agencies, and improved technical data infrastructure and data integration capabilities across the Australian Public Service. Important data assets such as in the health, education and social welfare sectors were improved, allowing policy makers to gain insights that were not possible before.
Individual privacy and the security of sensitive data was preserved, as DIPA only provided access to controlled, de-identified, and confidentialised data for policy analysis and research purposes. DIPA was governed by agencies’ processes and legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988.
Components of DIPA
DIPA consisted of several components:
Data infrastructure and integration
Data infrastructure and integration delivered by Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. These two bodies delivered the core technical infrastructure to support DIPA by providing tools to integrate and link data, including the production of enduring longitudinal and integrated data assets.
Data assets
Data assets delivered by Department of Social Services (DSS); Department of Health (Health); Department of Education; Department of Finance (Finance); and Office of National Intelligence.
Data analytical units
Data analytical units used integrated data to solve complex policy issues that cross over multiple portfolios. Units fed this analysis into policy delivery processes and improved service delivery. These units were led by DSS; Health; DESE; Finance; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
Better communication and engagement
Better communication and engagement about data initiatives, led by PM&C.
Technical review and advice provided by Data61.
Data61 provided assurance and advisory role to assist partner agencies to make informed decision taking into account the latest data developments and efficiencies afforded by new technologies.
