Responsibility: Australian, state and territory governments
Joint Response: Accept in principle
Status: Further work required
What has been achieved to date
The National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) became available for researcher applications on 19 December 2024 with its first release of key datasets from the health and disability services sectors, as well as income support payment data from the Australian Government. A factsheet on the disability indicators, outlining the way disability is measured in the NDDA, was published on the NDDA website on 19 December 2024.
Work continues to finalise data sharing agreements to include additional Australian Government and state and territory datasets for NDDA purposes.
The Australian Government is working with states and territories on options for an enduring funding model for the NDDA.
What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report
The Australian Government and state and territory governments, through the Disability Reform Ministerial Council, should commit to long-term support to the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA). All governments should:
a) by June 2024, commit to continuing funding to establish the NDDA as a national resource for longitudinal analysis of linked data across service systems
b) commit to publishing an annual statistical summary of the analyses of the NDDA’s linked data. This should focus on data insights not available from other sources and provide transparency on projects underway. All reported data should be disaggregated as far as possible to enable intersectional analysis
c) by December 2024, commence specific data projects using the NDDA that:
- identify the factors that put people with disability at greatest risk of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation
- demonstrate the outcomes and experiences of people with disability transitioning between systems, including:
- education and employment, child protection and justice systems, and housing and health
- the National Disability Insurance Scheme and mainstream services
- evaluate the accuracy of disability status collection in various service settings.
Joint Government response July 2024
The Australian Government and state and territory governments have committed to deliver the enduring National Disability Data Asset and contribute to ongoing costs through the National Disability Data Asset Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Disability Ministers in mid-2023.
The National Disability Data Asset will be in operation in 2024-25. All governments are working together to determine costs and funding arrangements beyond 2025.
More recommendations
View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.