- New linked data platform - PeopleWA - to streamline data and information across Government services to benefit all Western Australians
- PeopleWA connects de-identified data from the departments of Communities, Education, Health, Justice and the Western Australia Police Force
- Will provide a secure e-research environment for approved government agencies, researchers and non-profit organisations
Up to 75 million unique records containing current and archival data have been linked for the first time as part of a new data linkage platform. Launched today, PeopleWA will revolutionise the way researchers access data, helping to address the State's most complex social, health, environmental and economic issues.
PeopleWA brings together de-identified data from across government services in a way that protects individual privacy, providing a richer understanding of the community impacts of government decisions, services, and programs over time.
The Office of Digital Government and the Department of Health will govern the data linkage in a safe, privacy-preserving environment.
New datasets will be added to PeopleWA each year to ensure data linkage continues to meet changing policy and research needs.
PeopleWA is protected by international best practice for transparent data governance, safeguards for personal and sensitive information, and robust cyber security controls. It has also been designed to comply with the anticipated requirements of the Western Australian Government's future Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing legislation.
Access is limited to approved purposes and is provided via a secure, monitored e-research platform.Applications for access to PeopleWA undergo a rigorous ethics and approval process and are assessed against the Five Safes, a global best practice framework for responsible information sharing.
The linked data asset is delivered via $8 million funding from the WA Government's Digital Capability Fund.
PeopleWA was developed in response to recommendations made by Chief Scientist of Western Australia Professor Peter Klinken AC, who led a data linkage review with the research, non-profit and public sectors.
As stated by Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The sheer volume of data linked in PeopleWA is incredible. This data will allow the State Government, researchers and non-profit organisations to make better informed policy and strategy decisions.
"This linkage allows us to gain insights across government departments that were previously difficult to access and uncover, such as the relationships between Health and Education outcomes.
"The Cook Government is excited to see the research that is made possible by this platform, which we are confident will deliver great benefits for the Western Australian public."
As stated by Chief Scientist of Western Australia Professor Peter Klinken AC:
"Western Australia has a long history of data linkage, and PeopleWA will help enhance community outcomes by placing data at the forefront of the decision-making and research.
"PeopleWA sets the stage for Western Australia's next chapter of data linkage, ensuring the continuous availability of interconnected health and human services data. It will equip us to effectively address evolving challenges facing our community."
As stated by the WA Government's Chief Information Officer Greg Italiano:
"PeopleWA is the result of a genuine collaboration between WA government agencies to deliver a powerful data asset that enables targeted and strategic investment in government programs and services.
"The WA community will benefit from PeopleWA's capability to enable evidence-based government decision-making and improve service delivery."
