Goal 5: Data governance

​​Transparent and responsive data governance that is consistently applied

What will this mean?

Goal 5 is about strengthening data governance and better coordinating data and analytics investments across the NSW Health system, better leveraging and scaling what we already do well, minimising risks and returning value from data and analytics efforts.

  • Embed more transparent, responsive and consistent guidelines, processes and frameworks to support the safe and responsible handling of data and analytics across NSW Health and externally.
  • Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance are adopted in accordance with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap priorities, so that there is shared decision-making in matters that impact the lives of Aboriginal peoples and communities.
  • Data and analytics effort and investment are more consistent and coordinated across NSW Health, enabling a more connected, efficient public health system.
  • Data governance across people, process and technology is transparent and responsive, guided by the guiding principles.
Data governance is transparent and responsive. It stretches across all roles, rules, technology, processes and structures. These are enabled and informed by the guiding principles: safe and ethical; transparent and trustworthy; fit-for-purpose; outcomes focused; one NSW Health, connected to its ecosystem; sustainable.
Transparent and responsive data governance.

Why does this matter?

One of the benefits of operating as a federated health system is that NSW Health is able to tailor services and care to local needs and priorities. A wealth of examples exists where local teams have used data and analytics in innovative ways that provide rich insights and address specific level needs. These initiatives have relied on local champions to identify challenges and improvement opportunities and develop solutions. To maximise value, we must better adapt and scale successful local innovations across the NSW Health system.

Strengthening and modernising data governance across the NSW Health system is an important first step to helping people to do the right thing with the data that we are privileged to hold. This is key to ensuring data are handled in more consistent ways, with the right guardrails in place, and that ongoing investment is in the places where we need it.

What is the work to be done?

  • Enterprise-wide data governance.
  • Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and G​overnance.
  • Data lifecycle management.
  • Coordinated data and analytics investment.

Current as at: Monday 2 March 2026