Access outside of Australia

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) supports DataLab access outside Australia as an ongoing and cost-recovered service.

This service enables secure access to integrated data by overseas researchers and organisations, supporting international collaboration while maintaining the ABS’s rigorous security standards. All applications undergo a thorough, case‑by‑case assessment, and approval is not guaranteed. The eligibility and application process is outlined below.

Information about the implementation process, the independent review, and the security and compliance framework is also provided.

Applications for overseas access are open to: 

• Domestic researchers temporarily located overseas
• Researchers from an overseas entity commencing new DataLab projects
• Overseas organisations collaborating on existing Australian-led projects
• Analysts and discussants

All applications are subject to a comprehensive assessment, including: 

• A security and risk assessment by ABS security and governance teams. Applications for access are assessed against relevant security and intelligence reporting
• Review by Data Custodians for new overseas projects to make certain access abides with relevant legislation of the Custodian organisation
• Final approval by the Australian Statistician ensuring high-level oversight and accountability

Researchers who are on multiple DataLab projects must be approved for each project.

Note: 
Some steps in this process may occur in a different order to the flow and/or may not be applicable to your individual situation. Organisation steps don’t apply for the offshore scenario.

The process steps in this flowchart work in parallel with the standard DataLab researcher onboarding requirements and should be reviewed together. 

Applications must demonstrate: 

• A clear and justified need for offshore or overseas access
• Alignment with the Five Safes Framework and additional overseas risk controls, including providing sufficient information to support a security and risk assessment (e.g. access location, researcher details)
• Evidence of public value and benefit to Australia
• Organisational support, including endorsement from a Responsible Officer or senior leader

The assessment process typically takes:

• 1 to 2 months for Australia-based researchers wishing to access DataLab from overseas
• 2 to 4 months for Overseas Entities requesting access. These timeframes can vary depending on data custodian approvals and legal work required

Charges apply for this service in addition to standard DataLab charges. An assessment fee is payable even if the application does not proceed or is denied by the ABS. For details, refer to Access Outside Australia charges

To begin an application or for further enquiries, contact: mydataportal@abs.gov.au

A pilot program for Access outside of Australia was conducted from 2021 to July 2024 which proved successful. The pilot allowed the ABS to evaluate the viability, functionality, and risks of enabling overseas access for researchers and projects.

On 6 May 2025, the ABS Executive Board endorsed Access outside of Australia as a permanent offering. This decision reflects the growing global interest in integrated data and the ABS’s world leading assets; PLIDA, BLADE and Locations. It also represents ABS’s commitment to supporting international projects, international collaboration and overseas researchers.

The pilot and the implementation plan were independently reviewed by Dr Felix Ritchie, Professor of Applied Economics, University of the West of England, Bristol. The outcomes of this review are outlined below. 

• Researcher access to DataLab, whether in Australia or overseas, is governed by strict ABS security policies and procedures
• All overseas DataLab sessions are actively monitored, and auditing mechanisms apply to every approved researcher, ensuring full traceability of access and usage
• Researchers must promptly report any relevant changes to their circumstances to ABS. These obligations are essential to upholding ABS’ robust security protocols

To learn more about how the ABS safeguards integrated data, visit Keeping integrated data safe.

Custodianship ​

• Data custodians retain full custodianship of their data, ensuring that project access aligns with its governance frameworks and legal obligations
• Data custodians must indicate if overseas access to their data is permissible under their legislation. Data custodians review all projects involving foreign entities
• All applications are assessed under the Five Safes Framework, with additional controls tailored to mitigating overseas access risks. These safeguards are designed to ensure appropriate protections are in place to manage the inherent risks while enabling responsible and secure data access & use

Privacy​

• Ongoing policy updates and collaboration with custodians and stakeholders ensure a unified and transparent approach to privacy management
• Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) are conducted where required, and legal advice clarifies applicable privacy laws to ensure full compliance
   

• Researchers sign binding undertakings in where they agree to abide by DataLab Conditions of Use. These conditions are critical to maintaining the ABS’s strong protection framework, which is built on legislative requirements, safe data‑handling practices, and rigorous privacy‑by‑design processes
• Failure to comply with the roles and expected behaviours outlined on the ABS website may incur penalties delineated under relevant subsections of the Census and Statistics Act 1905
• If an incident occurs, the ABS follows its Internal Security Incident Management processes. Robust safeguards are in place, including clear consequences for any misuse of data. These consequences may involve legal or non‑legal sanctions for the researcher and/or their organisation.