Current consultation

Using data better in Victoria

The Victorian Government collects a lot of data when serving the needs of Victorians. This includes data about education and health, to data about our communities, business, employment, infrastructure, and the environment.

In sharing and using data, protecting your privacy and data security is paramount. That’s why we’re developing regulations to further ensure that government shares and uses information in line with community expectations, including to set out what types of data government should not share, even internally within government.

About the proposed regulations

The Victorian Data Sharing Act 2017 (Act) sets out how data can be responsibly shared across government and includes strong protections to maintain privacy and data security. For example, currently data related to national security, the identities of confidential sources and investigative methods cannot be shared under the Act.

New regulations are currently proposed that further protect sharing and use of data within government for policy making, service planning and design. The regulations allow government to set out:

  • what types of data should not be shared, and
  • the specific organisations that can share or receive data under the Act.


    • What we’d like to hear from you

    As we develop the regulations, we want to understand your views on how we use your data while we strive for a safer, healthier and more successful Victoria.


    How your feedback will be used

    The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on data sharing and protection and identify perceptions of Victorian Government’s ability to protect and share data appropriately.

    Information gathered will help inform:

  • the operations of the VCDI and implementation of laws
  • the protections and safeguards considered to underpin data for these and future regulations.

    A summary report will be published on the Engage Victoria website.

    • Questions


    The Victorian Government proposes that the following types of data will not be shared under the Act. This includes data that negatively impacts:

    • individual safety and identity, including confidential sources and witness protection
    • law enforcement, including use of surveillance devices and other investigative methods
    • national and international security, including counter-terrorism issues
    • integrity and oversight, including protected disclosures and complaints to Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
    1. Do you agree that these types of data should be protected?
    2. Are there any other types of data you think should not be shared within government?
    3. Is there anything else government can do to build your trust when using your data to improve policies and services for Victorians?
    4. Is there anything else we may have missed that you think is important?
    Are you providing feedback:
    You have 255 characters left.
    Would you like to receive updates on future VCDI activities?

    The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

    Previous consultation

    Using data better in Victoria

    Consultation closed on 31 August 2017.

    The Victorian Government collects a lot of data when serving the needs of Victorians. This includes data about education and health, to data about our communities, business, employment, infrastructure, and the environment. There is an opportunity to better use this data to improve policy making and services.

    Increasingly, governments across Australia, including Victoria, see the value and potential in making better use of the data it collects. This view is supported by the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Data Availability and Use, which found Australia is losing out on the potential opportunities of using data better.

    The Victorian Government is responding to the challenge of using data better by:

    • setting up the Victorian Centre for Data Insights (VCDI) to improve the way we share and use data within government
    • developing new laws that clearly set out how data can be responsibly shared across government, with strong protections to maintain privacy and data security.

    The VCDI will lead projects which show the value of sharing data across government to make better decisions. This follows initiatives in New South Wales and South Australia, who have already established similar data centres and laws.

    Once the new laws are finalised, we will share the details with you.

    What we’d like to hear from you

    As we set up the VCDI and the laws to support what we do, we want to understand:

    • the key things we should focus on when setting up this new data sharing framework
    • how we can build your trust when using your data
    • your priority areas for using data to improve services.
    From what perspective are you providing feedback?
    1. What are the key things we should focus on when setting up this new data sharing framework (including new laws) that will make sure we do this in the right way?

    Please select the two most important factors to you

    You have 255 characters left.
    2. Having your trust when using your data is important to us. What can the VCDI do to build your trust?

    Please select the three most important things to you.

    You have 255 characters left.
    3. Which areas do you think the VCDI should focus our projects on?

    Please select up to three areas.

    You have 255 characters left.

    If you would like a copy of your feedback please enter your email address.

    Would you like to receive updates on the VCDI?

    Please note your email will only be used for the purpose of providing updates on work of the VCDI.

    The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.