About the DATA Scheme
The Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 (the Act) passed Parliament and received royal assent in March 2022. The scheme it establishes is referred to as the DATA Scheme. Further information can be found at the Office of the National Data Commissioner (ONDC) website.
The DATA Scheme is focused on increasing the availability and use of Australian Government data by accredited users for 3 permitted purposes:
- delivering government services
- informing government policies and programs
- undertaking research and development.
When we will consider sharing data under the DATA Scheme
When we receive a request, we'll first determine if the data can be shared using an existing process or product, for example:
- data already available in ATO's research and statistics
- ATO Longitudinal Information Files (ALife)External Link
- Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment (BLADE)External Link
- Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA)External Link
If possible, we'll use the existing process or product. If not, we'll then consider if the DATA Scheme applies.
We'll consider sharing data with accredited usersExternal Link where:
- we are authorised to share data under the scheme
- the sharing is in line with our protocols to protect data and privacy.
If we do decide to share data under the DATA Scheme, we'll:
- share identifying data with government bodies where the law permits, and strong governance and stewardship arrangements are in place
- only share de-identified data with Australian universities who are accredited users for permitted purposes – this will occur through an accredited data service provider (ADSP).
Exclusions
Under the DATA Scheme, we won't share data for a reason the Act does not allow. For example, compliance or enforcement purposes, or with bodies that are excluded from the scheme.
Some examples of data or information we won't share are:
- where we've applied the Privacy Commissioner's Guidelines on Data Matching in Australian Government Administration
- data obtained under international exchange obligations
- taxpayer specific compliance or investigation data
- data we hold from other agencies or departments for which we aren't the primary data custodian.
How to make a request for data
Accredited usersExternal Link must submit data requests through the ONDC's DataplaceExternal Link.
If you're from an Australian government body or an Australian university, and you would like to contact us about the DATA Scheme before you submit a Dataplace request, email us at ATOData@ato.gov.au.
Potential associated costs
We reserve the right to charge fees for dealing with a request to share 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.