1. Introduction
The DataVic Access Policy (the Policy) requires Victorian government departments and agencies to make data available for re-use by the public.
Data which is made available under the Policy must be listed at the Victorian Government data directory (data directory) at www.data.vic.gov.au.
This manual is a practical guide to listing data on the data directory.
1.1 Making data available
Departments and agencies must take a number of steps to ensure that their data is made available and to comply with the DataVic Access Policy. Listing data on the data directory is just one of these steps.
The main steps are described in the DataVic Access Policy Guideline.
In summary, they include:
| # | Step | Issues to consider |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify a dataset |
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| 2 | Prepare the dataset for publication |
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| 3 | Select a licence |
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| 4 | Publish the dataset |
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| 5 | List the dataset on the data directory |
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| 6 | Manage the dataset |
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This manual details how to achieve step 5 above. Information on the other steps is provided in the DataVic Access Policy Guideline.
2. How to list a dataset on the data directory
2.1 What is the data directory?
The data directory (www.data.vic.gov.au) is a 'portal' that helps users find and use the datasets and data tools that exist on Victorian Government websites. It is both an easy-to-use directory and a powerful search engine (see example below).
2.2 Hosting data
Most Victorian data is published and hosted on agency managed websites. Data is usually not directly published on the data directory web servers. Accordingly the steps below apply where the data has already been hosted.
2.3 Linking a dataset to the data directory
To link a dataset to the data directory a request needs to be generated via the DataVic Service Desk.
The details you provide in this form are the metadata record required by ‘technical support’ to create the data record on the data directory. Metadata is listed information that describes and helps provide access to an information resource. Metadata provides contextual information to users. It helps them find information through searches and helps them understand how the information can be used.
The metadata template requires the following description or metadata to be provided when creating a data record. This standard is derived from the Victorian Government Guideline: Information Management Roles and Responsibilities.
| Field name | Description |
|---|---|
| Agency (if applicable) | Organisation with authority and accountability for the information asset. |
| Department | Organisation with authority and accountability for the information asset. |
| Data Administrator | Officer managing agency presence on the data directory (will not be made public) |
| Data Administrator Contact Details email | Email address (will not be made public) |
| Data Administrator Contact Details phone | Phone number (will not be made public) |
| Approver Contact | Officer authorised to release data to the public) |
| Approver Contact Details email | Email address (will not be made public) |
| Approver Contact Details phone | Phone number (will not be made public) |
| Dept./Agency URL | URL |
| Release Date | Date the data source was first released for public use |
| Format | The file format of the information asset. (i.e. XML, excel) |
| Data Source URL | Direct link to data source location |
| Program URL | Can be used to link to specific agency programme website |
| Data Frequency | Frequency that the data source is updated i.e. weekly, monthly |
| Temporal Range | Date range the data covers i.e. Branch Expenditure 2012 - start date to end date - 01/01/2012 to 31/12/2012 |
| GeoData (if applicable) | Granularity (Extent of drill down level - i.e. to LGA level) |
| GeoData (if applicable) | Coverage (Extent of data coverage - i.e. all of Victoria, all LGAs) |
| Data Type/Category | DataVic data category |
| Licensing | A licence giving official permission to use the information asset |
| Site Tags | Two or three tags to support search functions |
The information required to complete the metadata record should be held in the agency’s Information Asset Register as mandated by the Digital Strategy and Transformation branch.
Note: Standard requests have a three (3) day turnaround, however, if the job is urgent or particularly large or complex, this may need to be negotiated.
3. Policy and technical support
The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is available to support departments and agencies to make data available and to implement the Policy.
DPC can provide policy support, training, preparation of resources and is the first point of contact for all queries. The publication of datasets on the data portal is managed by DPC. Technical queries in relation to the linking of datasets to the data portal should be referred to DPC.
Comments and questions may be directed as follows:
Updated