Requesting ABS data under the Data Availability and Transparency Act (DATA) Scheme

The Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 establishes an alternative scheme for sharing Australian Government data – the DATA Scheme. The DATA Scheme is underpinned by strong safeguards and consistent, efficient processes.

The DATA Scheme is focused on increasing the availability and use of Australian Government data for 3 permitted purposes:

• Delivery of government services
• Informing government policies and programs
• Research and development.

To request and use data under the DATA Scheme, an organisation must be an Accredited User and enter into a valid data sharing agreement with the data custodian of the data. Further information on the DATA Scheme can be found on the Office of the National Data Commissioner (ONDC) website.

When we receive a request, we will let you know if the data is already available through an existing ABS option or product. 

We hold a vast array of data that can be accessed through existing data products. The options available for you to access this data include:

• navigate statistics on the ABS website to a range of topics containing downloadable data
• use our suite of products from the Census of Population and Housing (2021 and prior)
• access Data Explorer and Data by Region
• use TableBuilder to create your own tables and graphs
• analyse unit record data in the DataLab
• apply for access to integrated data
• request customised data specific for your needs.

The ABS are supporting disability research projects through access to the Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA).

In 2024 and 2025, the ABS collected and combined information for the National Disability Data Asset. We followed relevant laws, including:

• Privacy Act 1988
• Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022
• state and territory laws.

If there is no existing option or product, we will consider if the DATA Scheme applies.

We will consider sharing with Accredited Users and Accredited Data Service Providers (ADSPs) if:

• ABS can legally share the data
• the proposed project is for a permitted purpose
• the sharing is consistent with our purpose and role
• the sharing is consistent with the commitments we give to our respondents and providers.

Where we hold data from other data custodians we will only share the data with their approval.

If you are an Accredited User and you are requesting data under the DATA Scheme, you can make the request through Dataplace. Dataplace is a digital platform operated by the ONDC for managing data sharing requests and agreements, including those under the DATA Scheme.

We will assess your request and may contact you to discuss your request. If we decide not to share under the DATA Scheme, or redirect you to an option under ABS’ legislative framework, we will provide you with written notice of our reasons within 28 days of the decision via the Dataplace platform. 

If we choose to share under the DATA Scheme, we will use Dataplace to manage the data sharing agreement.

All data sharing agreements under the DATA Scheme must be registered by the ONDC and details will be published on the ONDC Data Sharing Agreement Register.

We reserve the right to charge fees on a cost recovery basis for sharing data under the DATA Scheme. This may include fees for services we perform, or which are performed on our behalf, including the services of an ADSP in sharing the data with you. All charges will be in line with guidance by the ONDC on charging of fees by Data Custodians and ADSPs.

Once the service is clarified, we will provide you with a quote for the costs.