Policy and Standards
DataVic Access Policy
The Victorian Government recognises the benefits from and encourages the availability of Victorian government data for the public good. The DataVic Access Policy has been developed to support this recognition.
The purpose of the DataVic Access Policy is:
• to enable public access to government data to support research and education, promote innovation, support improvements in productivity and stimulate growth in the Victorian economy.
• to enhance sharing of, and access to, information-rich resources to support evidence-based decision making in the public sector.
Not all government data will be suitable for release. Access to data may need to be restricted for reasons of privacy, public safety, security and law enforcement, public health, pre-existing contractual arrangements and compliance with the law.
For a full copy of the Victorian government’s policy on the availability of government data, please download the Policy by clicking on the links below.
Download the DataVic Access Policy
PDF Version - DataVic Access Policy (566KB)
Word Version - DataVic Access Policy (231KB)
Standards and Guidelines
The DataVic Access Policy is supported by Standards and Guidelines, which has been updated following the incorporation of feedback from consultation with the Victorian public sector. The DataVic Access Policy Standards and Guidelines are a comprehensive resource designed to provide practical tools and direction on the release, licensing and management of government data so that it can be used and reused by the community and businesses.
Version 2 of the DataVic Access Policy Guidelines (the Guidelines) was released in August 2015. The new Guidelines have been streamlined and include new guidance on a number of topics. The Guidelines have been written to support the Victorian Public Service meet the obligations under the DataVic Access Policy.
Changes to the Guidelines include:
- an improved definition of what ‘open’ data, including a new section of what machine readable means and suitable formats for data release.
- a new section on defining high value datasets.
- an improved definition of when not to release data and what the expectation when a dataset meets one of the non-release criteria (it is often possible that a cleansed form of data can be released).
- detail on what to consider when procuring data, databases or infrastructure/programs that are data generating.
- the document has been re-formatted to align with the process of releasing a dataset to improve the understanding and compliance of the policy.
a simplification of the licencing section as most datasets will be released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Detailed guidance is already provided by the Whole of Victorian Government Intellectual Property Policy
Access the DataVic Access Policy Standards and Guidelines
Background
Open access to government data is an established trend internationally.
In August 2012, the Victorian Government endorsed the DataVic Access Policy for implementation throughout the Victorian public service.
Through this policy, Victorian government datasets will be:
• available to the public;
• easy to find; and
• easy to use.
As at the time of launching this Policy, this site already provides access to more than 180 Victorian government datasets. As the DataVic Access Policy is implemented across Victoria, the number and type of datasets is set to grow dramatically.
Full implementation of the Policy is expected to be achieved over the next 12 months, by September 2013.
The DataVic Access Policy is complemented by the whole of Victorian government Intellectual Property Policy, which streamlines the State’s management of intellectual property and encourages access to Crown copyright on the least restrictive terms appropriate.
Questions
If you have any questions about the DataVic Access Policy, please email us at data.vic@dtf.vic.gov.au
If you have general questions regarding this site, please contact the Department by filling out the Contact Form.