Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data: HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons

The Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data has been developed to guide ethical, inclusive, and culturally grounded data practices across the Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Indigenous Research Data Commons (HASS and Indigenous RDC).

It responds to long-standing calls from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for greater control over data that affects their lives, lands, cultures, and futures. The Framework is the result of extensive consultation, co-design, and collaboration with Indigenous data custodians, researchers, institutions, and policymakers. It is intended to be adopted across all HASS and Indigenous RDC activities.

This Framework affirms that Indigenous data governance is essential to Indigenous self-determination. It defines Indigenous data as information generated by, about, or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, encompassing cultural, ecological, linguistic, genealogical, and community-generated knowledge. The Framework recognises that all data - whether held by governments, institutions, or communities - has implications for Indigenous peoples and must be governed in ways that respect Indigenous rights, laws, and relational worldviews.

The Framework is structured around three interrelated components: a Governance Model, a set of Governance Guidelines, and a Monitoring and Accountability structure. The Governance Model identifies 5 foundational elements:

1. Recognition of Indigenous assets
2. Partnership
3. Building capabilities
4. Self-determination
5. Inclusive data ecosystem.

These elements underpin the Framework’s guidelines and practices, which provide actionable strategies for institutions and communities to embed Indigenous governance across the data lifecycle.

The Framework is grounded in the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) and complements the FAIR Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable).

Together, these principles offer a dual foundation for technical excellence and cultural integrity. The CARE Principles emphasise that data governance must be people and purpose-oriented, ensuring that Indigenous communities derive benefit from data, retain authority over its use, and are protected through ethical practices. The FAIR Principles support transparency, discoverability, and reuse of data assets, but must be applied in ways that do not compromise Indigenous rights or cultural protocols.

The Framework also addresses systemic barriers to Indigenous participation in Australia’s data environment, including legislative exclusions under the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022. It calls for reforms to ensure that Indigenous data custodians are recognised, resourced, and empowered to participate in national data-sharing frameworks.

Implementation, monitoring and accountability mechanisms are embedded throughout the Framework. Regular reporting, public transparency, community feedback mechanisms, and independent evaluation will ensure that the Framework is implemented with integrity and responsiveness.

This Framework is not a static document. It is a living practice designed to evolve in response to community needs, technological developments, and policy changes. It offers a principled and practical guide for transforming Australia’s research infrastructure to support Indigenous data sovereignty, cultural revitalisation and community empowerment.

How was the Framework developed?

The Framework is an output of the Improving Indigenous Research Capabilities (IIRC) and Language Data Commons of Australia (LDaCA) focus areas of the HASS and Indigenous RDC, and the culmination of a series of lengthy consultations spanning three years. These consultations engaged beyond the HASS and Indigenous RDC communities, including external partners, stakeholders, and users of the digital research infrastructure in development. This consultation, which included discourse that was both robust and solutions-oriented, revealed an appetite to increase Indigenous Data Governance competencies and calls for implementable support.

Contents

• Purpose and Scope 
• Background and Context
• Indigenous Data Governance
• Overview of the Framework
• Governance Guidelines and Practices for the HASS and Indigenous RDC
• Implementation, Monitoring and Accountability
• Conclusion

Improving Indigenous Research Capabilities (DOI: 10.3565/pr3g-s109) and the Language Data Commons of Australia (DOI: 10.3565/kq2v-9g52) are co-investment partnerships with the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) through the HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons. The ARDC is enabled by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).