Details
Topic: Regulatory reform
Audiences: State government - regulatory operations
Regulatory functions: Governance, Practice and processes, Digitisation, Compliance and Enforcement
Industry: All relevant industries
Document types: Framework
Author: Department of Treasury and Finance
Date published: 26 November 2025
The Victorian Common Data Taxonomy is a structured way for regulators to organise information into categories and subcategories based on shared characteristics. It serves as a foundational tool to help regulators manage and structure their data in ways that promote improved information sharing and foster greater collaboration.
How this tool can help
The Victorian Common Data Taxonomy can help regulators identify which businesses are subject to oversight by which regulators and interpret data provided by other regulators with greater ease and consistency. This shared framework strengthens collaboration, reduces duplication, and supports a more coordinated regulatory environment. It can structure and manage their data about businesses to:
- share and interpret information and detect risks of harm more easily
- reduce information requests and administrative burden on business.
Support to apply this tool
Contact the Department of Treasury and Finance at reg.reform@dtf.vic.gov.au to ask questions or book a discussion about adopting the taxonomy.
Common Taxonomy Model
Leveraging existing data standards to create a data structure for all regulators.
The model below enables regulators to better structure their data for interoperability with common Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications used across the Victorian Public Sector, supporting improved information sharing. This model aligns with those used by Service Victoria – making it easier to integrate with effective and efficient centrally developed solutions.
Regulators should use this model as:
a set of data field requirements for future systems
a method of defining data fields when sharing/requesting data from fellow regulators
a way of validating gaps within your current data collections
a framework for designing interoperable systems
Please feel free to provide feedback to reg.reform@dtf.vic.gov.au.
Common Taxonomy Model
Common Data Taxonomy for regulators
The Common Data Taxonomy is a key pillar in the information sharing framework supporting regulators manage data in a consistent manner. It includes common fields, their descriptions and purpose, and the corresponding equivalents across Service Victoria and Salesforce.
This can be used in a few different ways, including as a:
set of data field requirements for future systems
method of defining data field when sharing/requesting data from fellow regulators
way of validating gaps within your current data collections
framework for designing interoperable systems.
The Victorian Common Data Taxonomy for Regulators has been developed as an initial framework to help regulators manage their permissions data more effectively. Stakeholder feedback on the Taxonomy is encouraged and can be submitted to reg.reform@dtf.vic.gov.au.
The taxonomy in practice
To demonstrate how the regulatory data taxonomy would be applied, the following 3 examples show different authorisation structures and the specific proposed data objects where each piece of information would be recorded.
Please note that the following examples are theoretical and do not represent real entities or permissions.
Example in practice: Corporate Licence
Example details: The Hammer Shack Pty Ltd holds a licence with the Hardware Regulator to supply hammers. This company has previously been investigated following complaints that employees were not wearing adequate eye protection. The Hardware Regulator could not substantiate these allegations, and no action was taken.
Example in practice: Individual Licence
Example details: Robert Gavel holds a licence with the Hardware Regulator to own a hammer. He has previously been investigated by the Hardware Regulator for using his hammer in public without the correct permit and was required to undertake an education course on using tools safely.
Example in practice: General Duty
Example details: SmashCraft Forging Pty Ltd, a Bendigo-based tool manufacturer, breached its general duty under the Hardware Act 1989 by failing to adequately test a new hammer with a slippery handle. After tradies reported safety concerns, the Hardware Regulator investigated and confirmed the breach. SmashCraft subsequently recalled the product.
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