About the NationalMap

The NationalMap is a website for map-based access to spatial data from Australian government agencies. It is an initiative of the Department of Communications and the Arts now currently managed by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the software has been developed by Data61 working closely with the Department of Communications and the Arts, Geoscience Australia and other government agencies.

The NationalMap is a fully open architecture. When you access data through it, you are typically accessing the data directly from the government department or agency which is the custodian of that data.

The NationalMap...

  • provides easy access to authoritative and other spatial data to government, business and the public
  • facilitates the opening of data by federal, state and local government bodies
  • provides an open framework of geospatial data services that supports commercial and community innovation

To see what data is available on the NationalMap, refer to the Data Catalogue in the NationalMap itself. Click the Data Catalogue tab and expand the Data Set group names.

How to use the NationalMap

Just go to http://nationalmap.gov.au/. Most operations are obvious, but you can click the Help and FAQs button near the top of this page for specific instructions.

For further information email [email protected]. Feel free to send us feedback and bug reports.

Contributing Data to NationalMap

Spatial data sets which are placed on data.gov.au using supported data formats and protocols (such as WMS) will automatically be included in the NationalMap. See the How To... page for more information.

Australian government agencies that wish to find out more information about contributing data sets to the NationalMap should email [email protected] with their questions. Typically, the NationalMap does not store the data itself, but refers to the data servers of the data contributors, directly taking that data and presenting it overlaid over a map. Therefore, agencies providing data directly must have the data available via an online server using a standard protocol.

NationalMap Software

The NationalMap is Open Source software available as a Github project. The core platform, TerriaJS, was initially developed by Data61 for the NationalMap, but has subsequently been used for other projects. It has been made available to assist with the development of other spatial data viewing applications.

The NationalMap core software is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"). You may not use the source code files except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0. Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.

Additional Open Source Software Used

In developing the NationalMap, Data61 has used open source software and contributed back to it. NationalMap leverages these excellent open source libraries:

The complete list is available with the NationalMap source code

Terms & Conditions

The information displayed on the NationalMap is for general informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide any commercial, financial, or legal advice. Any information in connection with the NationalMap may not be appropriate to your individual needs. You must exercise your own independent, skill, care and judgment with respect to how you use the information displayed on the National Map.

As a condition of using the NationalMap, you must comply with all applicable laws, regulations and third party rights (including, without limitation, laws regarding the import or export of data or software, privacy and local laws). You must not use NationalMap to encourage or promote illegal activity or violation of third party rights. Some parts of NationalMap (like the URL shortening function) rely upon third party APIs.

In any important matter, you should seek professional advice relevant to your own circumstances.

The information displayed on the NationalMap was consolidated by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The Department, Data61 and Geoscience Australia (“We”) make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content or the product in connection with the NationalMap. We disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence, for errors or omissions) for all expenses, loss, damage and costs which you might incur as a result of the information displayed on the NationalMap and your use of it.

The NationalMap must not be used for navigation or precise spatial analysis or for any activities where the use or failure of the NationalMap could lead to death, personal injury, or environmental damage (such as the operation of nuclear facilities, air traffic control, or life support systems).

Access to data:

Any information provided by data custodians displayed on the NationalMap is provided as is and on the understanding that the respective data custodian is not responsible for, nor guarantees the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of that information. If you intend to rely on any information displayed on the NationalMap or data.gov.au, then you must apply in writing to the respective data custodian for further authorisation.

You acknowledge that your use of the NationalMap or data.gov.au means that you have provided your acceptance of these terms and conditions.