National-Scale Integrated Datasets and Services

The Challenge

Research institutions and government agencies produce high-impact but long-tail data across many earth and environmental science disciplines. Accessing and managing a large number of heterogeneous datasets is challenging for researchers. When data is generated, the outputs rarely conform to agreed standards, inhibiting integration and compatibility with national services. Comparative datasets are not aggregated nor interoperable. Bespoke technology is developed for modelling and analysis that is often unsustainable.

The Response

This program focuses on the creation and retention of national-scale integrated and standardised datasets and services that have been identified in the Planet RDC national consultation process.

The ARDC will work with key research, government and industry stakeholders, including the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), national earth environmental science research facilities, state agencies, industry partners and universities, with a focus on establishing cross-sector partnerships to enable research translation. 

We will partner with organisations to ensure datasets can be maintained and updated and utilise ARDC services and best practice methods.

This activity will:

• improve the discoverability, availability and integration of national scale datasets for reuse by researchers.
• integrate datasets that are compatible with national services for analysis, visualisation and modelling
• uplift FAIR data management skills for the earth and environmental science communities, with a focus on community-agreed vocabularies and persistent identifiers
• create data products that will support national and international reporting needs.

Who Will Benefit

Researchers, government decision makers, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

National-Scale Integrated Datasets and Services Projects

Thematic research data commons is: Planet

AusTraits

A national database of Australian plant traits that synthesises data on 500 traits across 30,000…

Exploreabout AusTraits

Thematic research data commons is: Planet

Environmental Indicators Initiative

Delivering FAIR datasets and services to enable robust, repeatable environmental indicators

Exploreabout Environmental Indicators Initiative

Program Design and Consultation

The Planet RDC is following a community co-design process to deliver its programs. The Planet RDC Program Description outlines the national consultation process and outcomes. 

Through our 2022 national consultation and policy analysis, we identified major national stakeholders and national priorities. AusTraits was the first project initiated under the National-Scale Integrated Datasets and Services program.

Further consultations with the community have identified the need for data products that will enable integration across disciplines for the purposes of understanding and reporting on environmental condition and trends. In the first half of 2025 we are running a co-design process for the Environmental Indicators Initiative. 

To learn more about collaborating with us on this program, please register your interest below.

View the program guidelines for National-scale Integrated Datasets and Services.

Target Outcomes

This program will deliver value to research, government and industry through: 

• enduring and trusted integrated data, information products and national infrastructure and services that form the building blocks for the assessment of cumulative impact, state of the environment, environmental economic accounting, the nature repair market, and accurate environmental prediction and trend reporting.
• developing reusable infrastructure for the secure sharing of data and information. 
• establishing a partnership model for government, industry, research and NRI to optimise earth and environmental data and information, resulting in better, more integrated research
• strengthening the availability of data for research for identified priority research questions
• supporting research translation to government and industry to support evidence-based decision making and reporting.

Key Resources

• View the program guidelines for National-Scale Integrated Datasets and Services
• Learn more about the Planet Research Data Commons
• Read the program description for the establishment phase of the Planet Research Data Commons.