Data Data standards

Basics

Data standards are documented agreements on representation, format, definition, structuring, tagging, transmission, manipulation, use, and management of common data.

The use of common terminology and common data element definitions enables the integration of databases, and promotes more efficient and effective use of data by users of commonly defined data from disparate sources.

The Australian government policy on public data requires, where they exist, the use of agreed open standards when making data available.

Role

ŮŮÊÓƵuses domain standards that are openly available, to provide a common language for communicating ideas and provide consistency of meaning of the data collected, research undertaken and products created. The for maximising our data potential is supported by data management that results in trusted, reusable, interoperable, findable and accessible data.

ŮŮÊÓƵadvocates the use of many data standards and we are actively represented on standards organisations that govern these standards. For example, the (through ), and the .

One of the most commonly used standards in ŮŮÊÓƵis ISO 19115 - Geographic Information - Metadata which is used to catalogue our data and data products.

In developing and maintaining national geoscience data standards, ŮŮÊÓƵstrives to consult as widely as possible with the geoscience and geospatial industry. We aim for excellence in the provision of our standards and advice. The development and maintenance of our standards depends on cooperative effort and consultation with those who have an interest in the value and use of data standards.

ŮŮÊÓƵis part of the international research community and as such supports (data that is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). More information on how ŮŮÊÓƵmeets these principles is outlined on the GA and FAIR data principles page.

Products

ŮŮÊÓƵhas developed a profile (GA Profile) of the Geographic Information metadata standard. The GA Profile is designed to support the documentation and discovery of ŮŮÊÓƵdatasets and other resources in our catalogue, as well as the data management and sharing requirements within the agency.

• Definitional resources register
• Catalogue standard
• Data as a service
• Standards collaboration

For more information on data standards in ŮŮÊÓƵplease contact: data@ga.gov.au