Data sharing

​​NSW Health is committed to sharing data in a way that protects privacy, builds trust, and delivers benefits to the people of NSW.

How NSW Health protects and uses your data responsibly

The following key principles guide how NSW Health protects, manages and uses data:

• Safe and ethical – Protecting Patient privacy, security and the ethical use of data at every step.
• Transparent – being open about how data are used, who it is shared with, and why.
• Respectful – recognising that data represents real people and their experiences.
• Responsible – ensuring every decision follows clear rules to keep data safe, so that data use benefits patients, communities and the broader health system.

When data can be shared

Data may be shared for specific purposes, such as:

• providing care to a patient
• responding to public health risks or emergencies
• improving health services and planning for future needs
• for research and innovation that delivers public benefit.
  

Only the minimum amount of data needed are shared, and sensitive details are removed wherever possible.

How data are shared for research and innovation

Research helps improve treatments, strengthen services and generate new knowledge. To support this work safely:

• NSW Health carries out a Five Safes assessment, and researchers must go through strict approval steps (e.g., ethical review) before any access is granted.
• Secure Data Environments are used to protect privacy.
• Where a broader view is needed, the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL) safely brings together data from different sources. For example, linking a health survey with hospital records can show how lifestyle factors like diet, exercise or smoking relate to health outcomes.

How data are shared with Aboriginal communities

The NSW Data Connector Service provides a single point of contact in government for Aboriginal communities. The service aims to empower Aboriginal people through information. Having access to this information helps to inform decisions and future plans. NSW Health's Data Connectors will listen to you to understand what you need. They will then work with you to find and access data.