Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Regional Data Hub has three core streams of functionality. Firstly, to provide users with access to an extensive, easy to use, data library of ‘regionally-focused’ datasets. Secondly, the Hub showcases specific data insights examining regional data against key areas of interest to users. Thirdly, the Hub aims to provide users with educational materials designed to help users understand data and the various resources available on the Hub.

The About Us page has various options available to help you contact the Hub team, including a feedback form and an email contact address.

All content on the Hub is specifically tailored to, and aimed to cater for, the interests and needs of our core users located, working and/or simply interested in regional Australia. 

Yes absolutely! The About Us page on the Hub has a dedicated mechanism enabling you to suggest datasets that could be included in our data catalogue.

Many of the insights work and interactive maps available on the Hub have been aggregated down to specific geographic boundaries, including (but not limited to) Local Government Areas (LGAs). Amongst other reasons, this is because LGAs are consistent and familiar to our users across Australia whilst providing a workable baseline for many of our insights data projects. However, we are aware that further data granularity is a key focus for many of our users and we welcome any and all datasets that can provide further data granularity wherever possible.

Additionally, the Find My Regions tool on the Hub has been designed to help users find the geographic boundaries their location in more detail.

The majority of datasets available on the Hub’s data catalogue are externally sourced and managed. As such, the accuracy and timeliness of individual datasets can vary depending on how carefully and regularly the data owners manage their datasets. However, a description and overview of each dataset result within the Hub’s data search function includes a range of key information against each dataset, including when it was last updated, and by whom.

Yes absolutely! Please contact us to send us your ideas.

We don’t. We understand ‘regional’ can mean different things to different people. The Hub does seek to specifically endorse and/or define what ‘regional’ data is – or isn’t. Instead, we simply providing users with access to various datasets whilst acknowledging that these datasets may use and represent their own individual interpretations and/or definitions of ‘regional’.   

A key focus for the Hub is help you find data on your local area. A good place to start is using our search on a map. This feature enables you to find datasets within our Data Catalogue by Local Government Areas (LGAs) or SA2 areas. You can also refine your search to specific topics by selecting tags and entering keywords.

The Hub has endeavoured to include datasets that aggregate data down to at least Local Government Areas (LGAs) wherever possible. We understand our users may want further data granularity, but unfortunately this is not always available. Many of the data insights projects available on the Hub have tools that enable you to navigate to your local area, allowing users to search by their town or street address.

If you have any suggestions on how we can better provide access to data on your local area, please do not hesitate to contact us with your suggestions.    

Please do not hesitant to contact us if you find or think data on the Hub is not accurate. The About Us page on the Hub has various options available to help you contact the Hub team, including a contact email address.

Yes. We intend to continually expand and grow our data catalogue over time. If you have dataset suggestions and/or recommendations for our catalogue, please do not hesitate to contact us.    

Many of our data insights projects and maps aggregate data into universally known and recognised geographical boundaries. However, if you wish to collaborate with us to develop bespoke interact maps and/or projects (using different geographical boundaries), please do not hesitate to contact us with your ideas and suggestions.

The Learn page has a range of materials and resources specifically designed to assist first-time data users. This includes instructional videos and other tools to help you navigate and use the Hub and help you along your data journey. Importantly, the Hub has been designed and built with a clear focus on catering for the ‘novice’ or ‘beginner’ data along with the more experienced data user.

Yes absolutely! If you have a regional data project (or similar) you wish to showcase on the Hub, please get in touch with us to discuss how the Hub can assist. We are acutely aware there are many good projects and initiatives out there already and the Hub is keen to assist wherever possible.   

The Hub can be a great resource in helping you find data to underpin and support individual grant applications. In addition, the Hub has an ongoing regional grants insights project which may help inform you’re thinking and raise awareness of existing grants in your area.

The Hub has been purposefully built to ensure it can achieve long-term sustainability with individual features 'futureproofed' as much as possible.    

No. The Hub is free to use and seeks to improve access to regional data (without cost!) 

The About Us page on the Hub has various options available to help you contact the Hub team, including an email contact address for any questions you may have.

Yes, of course! Although content on the Hub is 'regionally' focussed, anyone can use the Hub as an information resource.  

Links to other/external information and resources are available on our Learn page. If you have a specific question or query that is not adequately addressed via our Learn page, please do not hesitate to Contact Us and the Hub team will endeavour to assist.   

No. The Hub may include and/or showcase regional data related projects within our portfolio, but generally seeks to encompass a wide scope of data and topics relevant to regional Australia across a range of different interests and topics.