The Data Standards Body (DSB)has been established by the Australian Government to deliver open standards that support the Consumer Data Right (CDR) and Digital Identity (Digital ID).
Consumer Data Right Standards
The Australian Government introduced the Consumer Data Right (CDR) to give consumers greater control over their data. Consumers have the right to share data, about them and their use of services, with accredited third parties. Their data is held by the businesses providing their services. When a consumer consents for data to be shared, the Data Holder (DH) is required to provide the requested data to the Accredited Data Recipient (ADR). An ADR can use consumer data to provide a variety of services. For example, the ADR can help the consumer compare and switch providers, by recommending loans, or energy plans.
Part of this right requires the creation of common data standards. Standards allow the ADR and the DH to exchange information safely, with best-practice security to ensure the privacy of consumer data. Standards ensure that Data Holders provide data in a form that ADRs can use.
The Consumer Data Standards (CDS) consist of technical standards and Consumer Experience (CX) standards.
The CDS specify standards such as REST APIs, data schemas and security measures, to be implemented and used by Data Holders and Accredited Data Recipients participating in the CDR.
The CX Standards specify requirements and provisions for consumer-facing content and interactions, such as data language, authentication, and accessibility. The CX Guidelines provide examples of how to implement key requirements and recommendations, covering areas such as providing consent for data sharing.
The DSB is responsible for assisting the Data Standards Chair, in the development of the Consumer Data Standards.
The Consumer Data Right is intended to apply sector by sector across the whole economy, beginning in the banking sector, followed by the energy sector, with other sectors to follow.
The work of standards development is conducted in close consultation with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), as lead regulator of the Consumer Data Right, and supported by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
The DSB develops the Consumer Data Standards and CX Guidelines openly, with full visibility and collaboration of the community of Data Holders, Data Recipients and all participants in the CDR.
Digital ID Standards
The Digital ID Bill passed Parliament on 16 May 2024. This sets out the legislative framework for Australia’s Digital ID System and will commence by 1 December 2024. The Digital ID Act establishes an accreditation scheme for Digital ID services, an Australian Government Digital ID System (AGDIS), a Digital ID Regulator, an AGDIS System Administrator and Data Standards Chair.
The Department of Finance is the policy lead for Digital ID consultation on the rules and data standards for commencement of the Digital ID legislation. The initial versions of the data standards will be made by the Minister for Finance as the initial Digital ID Data Standards Chair, so that they can take effect upon commencement of the Act and rules.
There will be two sets of data standards: one for the accreditation scheme, relating to biometric and other technologies used in accredited Digital ID services; and one for the AGDIS relating to technical requirements for entities participating in the system.
The Data Standards Body will support the Digital ID Data Standards Chair on the development of the Digital ID data standards.
Further details about Digital ID are available at https://www.digitalidsystem.gov.au/.