Guidance for Data Custodians

The PLIDA Governance Guide provides the framework for data custodians providing data to the Person-Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA). It explains how the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) manages PLIDA. It also helps custodians understand their role in ensuring safe handling of data, transparent governance, and compliance with legislation and ethical standards. 

Purpose

This downloadable governance guide is designed to: 

• Outline the principles and processes that underpin PLIDA governance
• Support custodians in meeting privacy, security, and ethical obligations
• Enable confident participation in PLIDA, knowing data will be managed responsibly and securely
• Promote collaboration that delivers public benefit through evidence-based insights.

Key Topics 

The guide covers: 

• Governance principles and co-governance arrangements
• Privacy-by-design and security protocols
• Roles and responsibilities of data custodians
• Project approval, ethics requirements, and access controls
• Data linkage, retention, and destruction processes.

A checklist has been developed to outline the role and responsibilities of ABS data custodians and help organisations assess their readiness for secure, lawful and effective data sharing in ABS data integration projects.

Resource downloads and Support 

• PLIDA Governance Guide
• Letter of Exchange template
• Checklist for becoming a data custodian
• Data supply guidelines
• PLIDA data supply Data Item List template

Contact ABS for assistance: mydataportal@abs.gov.au