Data sharing guidelines

The Queensland Government is committed to building a trusted data ecosystem that makes important and non-sensitive data open for anyone to access, use and share. Our commitment to open data is articulated in the Queensland Government open data policy statement.

To help agencies find the data they need, the Queensland Government has created a Queensland Government 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 ICT Profiling standard for more.

Open data

The Open Data Portal is a publicly available resource for users to access, modify, and share Queensland Government data (in accordance 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 which provides agency contact details to obtain more information or request data. Data is available in a variety of 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 (replaces SMIS) 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

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 provides a near-daily feed of high-resolution satellite images (captured by commercial satellite at a resolution of 1.5m or better) covering the whole of Queensland.

Government Land Register

Government Land Register (GLR) is an online system of all Queensland Government-controlled property.

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 and industry and development.

Queensland regional profiles

The Queensland regional profiles provide statistical reports on a range of community types and 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 for interactive ways to access this information.

Health data

The Queensland Health Data Services Branch is responsible for collecting, processing, analysing and disseminating statistics relating to the health of Queenslanders. The website provides information on commonly requested data collections (PDF, 309KB) including links to additional information about the datasets and contact details for custodians. There is also information on the Master Linkage File (MLF) which 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. A lot of other historical information can be found and accessed with other organisations. For example if you are looking for birth, marriage and death certificates, try the historical birth, marriage and death databases at the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

Under the Queensland Government’s open data policy, non-sensitive data should be published to the Open Data Portal unless there is a valid reason not to, such as privacy, security or sensitivity concerns. For help, see Open data publishing toolkit.

Open spatial data and web services can be published to the Queensland Spatial Catalogue. To become a publisher, submit an online request or for general enquiries email opendata@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au .

You may also choose to publish your data, data catalogue or information asset register on your agency’s 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. The catalogue allows for the publication of basic metadata to help others from within government to locate data and information that may be of use to them.

Access to the Internal Data Catalogue is restricted to Queensland Government employees and can be requested via email to DAIDataDiscovery@chde.qld.gov.au.

The Data sharing framework encourages informed decisions, more effective policies, and an enhanced understanding of the needs and expectations of the community.

The Data sharing framework 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 outlines 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.

Abide by the Queensland privacy principles (QPPs) in the Information Privacy Act 2009 and the Queensland Code of Conduct.

Data governance body

Data governance bodies monitor and facilitate the sharing of data between government bodies.

A data governance body has a responsibility to:

• facilitate cross agency security risk assessments where required
• resolve unforeseen issues in data requesting, sharing and use
• ensure all parties are following the permitted usage conditions
• facilitate amendments to the conditions of use
• identify and address unauthorised access, release, or use of data
• handle publicity and marketing to ensure that any data use or sharing can withstand peer and public scrutiny and disclosure
• abide by the Queensland privacy principles (QPPs) in the Information Privacy Act 2009 and the Queensland Code of Conduct
• maintain the access and use policy and make 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.

An independent audit and review body is responsible for:

• additional body to audit and review decisions of the data governance body
• handling escalated complaints and disputes
• developing lessons learnt as a result of sharing initiatives and make recommendations for process improvements
• investigating and reporting on the outcomes of data breaches and unauthorised disclosures.

Queensland Data Analytics Platform

The Data and Information Services team within the Queensland Customer 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. Contact support@qdap.qld.gov.au for more information.

Queensland Government Statistician’s Office

The Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) provides a large range of data related services including data analysis, data extraction, data integration and statistical and demographic research and surveys.

Land and spatial information business group

The Spatial Information business group collaborates with agencies completing projects with spatial data considerations. Email opendata@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au.

Statistical Services Branch (SBS)

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.

See the following resources:

• Queensland Government Open Data Portal
• Information and cyber security policy
• Information security classification framework
• Records governance policy
• Records governance implementation guideline
• Open data, information sharing, access and use policy
• Information access and use guideline
• Information asset custodianship policy
• Data governance guideline.

Also see Data sharing help for agencies and Information management for help making your data more accessible.