The Australian government holds a vast amount of data generated and collected by different government agencies. Efficient collection, use and re-use of data is key to improving the efficiency of government spending and delivering more effective and better targeted —evidence‑based - government policies, programs and services.

This review provides a snapshot of Australian government data activities and related data resources.

A preliminary survey of the data activities across the Australian government found that the use of data is embedded across all areas of policy and program delivery. A number of new analytical and data integration projects are underway, such as the projects arising from the 2017-18 Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) funding.