Data sharing guidelines
The Queensland Government is a major generator and consumer of data and information. However, much of that information is not readily available for decision-makers across government, especially data that is produced by agencies other than their own.
Learn how to find, share and access data and information consistently and securely across government.
To provide feedback on the resources available on this page or suggest additional content, email DAIDataDiscovery@chde.qld.gov.au.
The Queensland Government is committed to building a trusted data ecosystem that makes important and non-sensitive data available for people to access, use and share. We outline our commitment to open data in the Queensland Government open data policy statement.
To help agencies find the data they need, the Queensland Government has created an Internal Data Catalogue. For access, email DAIDataDiscovery@chde.qld.gov.au (government log in required).
Government employees can also access the information asset register collated as part of our annual ICT Profiling activity. See digital console and the ICT profiling standard for more information.
Open data
The Open Data Portal is a publicly available resource for users to access, modify, and share Queensland Government data (in line with the data’s designated licence).
Spatial data
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development provides a range of publicly available resources for users to access spatial data.
Queensland Globe
The Queensland Globe is an online interactive tool that turns physical, geographical and spatial data about a location into a map format. It combines data about roads, properties, topography, land valuations and a range of natural resources in an easy to consume format.
Queensland Government agencies can request a new layer or topic by contacting the support team opendata@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au.
QSpatial
QSpatial allows users to discover, display, select and download data of interest. Detailed metadata accompanies most data sets, including agency contact details to obtain more information or request data. Data is available in various formats.
QTopo
QTopo provides online access to Queensland topography (including both natural and man-made features) and allows users to customise their own maps.
Land Parcel Enquiry (LPE)
Land Parcel Enquiry provides information about Queensland property boundaries, valuations, sales data and survey information.
Queensland Government agencies can apply for free access by submitting an online request. For general enquiries, email landandspatialsystemssupport@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au.
Spatial imagery restricted services (SISP)
Spatial imagery restricted services (SISP Program) provides high-resolution satellite imagery using best practice standards to ensure visual quality, locational accuracy and providence.
QSat satellite imagery
QSat satellite imagery uses innovative, easy-to-use satellite platform technology, providing regular access to high-resolution imagery of the entire state.
Government Land Register (GLR)
Government Land Register (GLR) is an online system for authorised Queensland Government users to access state-owned property information.
Statistics
Queensland Government Statistician’s Office
The Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) provides access to a range of Queensland demographic, economic and social data across themes such as:
- population
- society
- crime and justice
- the economy
- industry and development.
Queensland regional profiles
Queensland regional profiles provide statistical reports on a range of community types (for example local government areas).
Australian Bureau of Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shares a broad range of statistics online. See also the ABS’s beta data explorer guide for interactive ways to access this information.
Health data
The Queensland Health Data Services Branch (DSB) collects, processes, analyses and disseminates statistics relating to the health of Queenslanders. The master linkage file (MLF) also contains permanently linked references to multiple health-related data collections.
Public records
Queensland State Archives (QSA) holds permanent records of enduring historical value for the Queensland Government and local governments. These records include:
- letters
- images
- reports
- telegrams
- photographs
- maps
- architectural drawings.
The QSA website provides information on how to search and access open public records.
QSA only holds records that were created or received by Queensland government agencies. You can find and access other historical information with other organisations. For example, if you are looking for birth, marriage and death certificates, try the database for Family, relationships, births and deaths.
Under the Queensland Government’s Open data, information sharing, access and use policy, non-sensitive data should be published to the Open Data Portal unless there is sufficient justification not to do so such as privacy, security or sensitivity concerns. For help, see Open data publishing toolkit.
Agencies can publish open spatial data and web services in the Queensland Spatial Catalogue. To become a publisher, email opendata@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au.
Agencies may also choose to publish their data, data catalogue or information asset register on their website.
Other data
The Queensland Government Internal Data Catalogue provides a platform for agencies to catalogue their data assets as well as search, discover and request data from other agencies. It supports publishing basic metadata to help government users locate useful data and information.
Access to the Internal Data Catalogue is restricted to Queensland Government employees. To request access, email DAIDataDiscovery@chde.qld.gov.au.
Refer to the Data sharing framework to understand how agencies can share data in a responsible way. The Data sharing framework encourages informed decisions, more effective policies, and an enhanced understanding of community needs and expectations.
It also provides guidance surrounding:
- why share data
- what data can be shared
- how data can be shared
- when to share data
- who can share and receive data
- what happens after sharing data
- resolving disputes.
The Data sharing framework provides information to understand who can share and receive data across government and what their roles and responsibilities are.
For more information read the Information management roles and responsibilities guideline.
Data governance body
Data governance bodies monitor and facilitate data sharing between government bodies.
A data governance body:
- facilitates cross agency security risk assessments where required
- resolves unforeseen issues in data requests, sharing and use
- ensures all parties are following the permitted usage conditions
- facilitates amendments to the permitted use conditions
- identifies and addresses unauthorised access, release, or use of data
- handles communication and public messaging to ensure that any data use or sharing can withstand peer and public scrutiny and disclosure
- abides by the Queensland privacy principles (QPPs) in the Information Privacy Act 2009 and the Public service values and conduct
- maintains the access and use policy and makes it accessible.
Independent audit and review body
An independent audit and review body can provide further checks and balances on the data sharing process for the Queensland Government.
They:
- audit and review data governance body decisions decisions
- handle escalated complaints and disputes
- develop lessons learnt from sharing initiatives and recommend process improvements
- investigate and report on data breaches and unauthorised disclosures.
Queensland Data Analytics Platform
The Data and Information Services team within the Data and Digital Group helps government agencies understand and make better use of their data assets. Their Queensland Data Analytics Platform (QDAP) is a real-time data platform for hosting analysing and sharing whole of government and multi-agency datasets and is available to internal government analysts or other data specialists. For more information, email qdapsupport@chde.qld.gov.au.
Queensland Government Statistician’s Office
The Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) provides a range of data-related services including:
- data analysis
- data extraction
- data integration
- statistical and demographic research and surveys.
Data Services Branch (DSB)
The Data Services Branch provides a data linkage service to support government and research requirements related to health service policy, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
Related resources
- Queensland Government Open Data Portal
- Information and cyber security policy (IS18)
- Information security classification framework (QGISCF)
- Records governance policy
- Records governance implementation guideline
- Open data, information sharing, access and use policy
- Information access and use guideline
- Information asset custodianship policy (IS44)
- Data governance guideline
Also see:
- Data sharing help for agencies for more information on sharing data between agencies
- Information management for help making your data more accessible.