Once you have received all necessary approvals for your application and returned your signed terms and conditions, PeopleWA data engineers will contact you and your team to arrange access to the PeopleWA e-research platform. Data can only be accessed and analysed within this controlled online platform.
Onboarding documentation
The resource centre in the PeopleWA application system contains all guidance materials to assist with accessing the e-research platform, preparing for your analysis, and completing your project aims.
What is the e-research platform and how do I access it?
The Secure Environment for Accessing Data (SEAD) is PeopleWA’s cloud-based secure e-research platform operated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). It provides authorised users with a secure virtual space to access approved datasets, analytical tools, and secure data transfer services.
Accessing SEAD is similar to using a remote desktop. Once your access to the e-research platform has been provisioned, you will receive an individual login for your workspace. Accessing the workspace is similar to using any other remote desktop; you can log in and interact with the remote desktop as if you were using a local computer – opening files and undertaking analysis. You will not be able to copy and paste between this workspace and your local device.
Please refer to the below guidance on what to do inside versus outside your workspace:
| To do INSIDE your workspace | To do OUTSIDE your workspace |
|---|---|
Data manipulation and analysis
Things to export
| Publications (i.e., Final Products)
Please do not create these inside your workspace and request to export them. Such requests cannot be appropriately reviewed and will be denied. |
What does the e-research platform look like?
PeopleWA uses the platform to provision analysts with a secure, cloud-based, virtual Windows desktop. Connecting to this remote desktop will feel like logging into your local computer and comes pre-installed with a suite of software. Users can use the SEAD web portal to activate their machine and log in via the Windows App.
E-research platform features
1. A Windows desktop environment
- A familiar Windows desktop hosted in the cloud.
- Project-specific drives and folders.
- Access to approved software and analytical tools.
2. Secure e-research project space
- Each approved project is allocated its own space in the platform, and each user a workspace within it.
- Users can only access workspaces in projects they have been authorised for.
- Data, code, outputs, and documentation are stored within that project environment.
3. Shared project storage
- Shared folders for collaboration with other project team members.
- Controlled storage locations for datasets, scripts, outputs, and documentation.
Are there limitations to what I can do?
To keep data secure, each workspace is configured with strict controls:
- Workspaces are blocked from accessing the internet.
- Copy/paste and screenshots between the workspace and your computer is disabled.
- All file transfers in and out of the environment can only be actioned by PeopleWA.
- For analysts on multiple approved projects, only one can be accessed at a time.
Import requests
You cannot bring external assets – such as supporting contextual data, code, or concordance files – into the secure environment without them being approved by the PeopleWA team. Please identify these assets (if known) when submitting your application.
How to import
Download and complete the import request form found in the resource centre in the application system and email it to PeopleWA@dpc.wa.gov.au. If approved, the PeopleWA team will load the files into your project folder.
Data exports
You cannot download unit-record data from the e-research platform, but you can request to export aggregated results. Export requests must comply with the PeopleWA terms and conditions, including the requirement to appropriately suppress data.
How to export
- Save your files for export to your project’s O: drive (O as in ‘outputs’).
- Complete the export request form from resource centre in the application system and email it to PeopleWA@dpc.wa.gov.au.
- Refer to the export request guidance in the resource centre for suppression rules and other checks you must perform on the data you seek to export.
- If approved, the PeopleWA team will make your files for export available to you outside of SEAD.
If changes are needed, you will be asked to revise and resubmit the request. For non-standard requests, data custodians may be asked to provide input on your export prior to its release.
Publications
As outlined in the PeopleWA terms and conditions, all publications must be reviewed by data custodians who approved the data used in the publication before you share them outside your project team.
How to submit
- Complete the publication request form found in the resource centre in the application system and email it and the draft publication to PeopleWA@dpc.wa.gov.au.
- PeopleWA and data custodians will review the submitted materials (this requires at least 10 business days).
- You will be notified once your publication is cleared for release, or whether you are required to make changes.
PhD theses will take longer to review. We encourage students to plan ahead!
