Foundation Spatial Data Framework

NSW Foundation Spatial Data Framework is used to manage and share spatial data effectively. The data can be used to make decisions about safety, development and the environment.

What is the Foundation Spatial Data Framework?

The Foundation Spatial Data Framework (FSDF) is part of a national framework. It is a set of core spatial datasets that are the standard for NSW.

The FSDF makes spatial data easy to find, use and share and ensures everyone has access to the same core foundation data.

The Foundation Spatial Data Framework (FSDF) is an endorsed Core State Digital Asset, and agencies must use the spatial datasets comprising the FSDF.

You can find out more about this at Foundation Spatial Data Framework on Digital NSW.

Spatial Services is the all of government service provider for Foundation Spatial Data for NSW stakeholders and community. Spatial Services collects, updates and shares the NSW FSDF data. This data also helps create national datasets that can be used by all Australian states and territories.

Data themes

The FSDF has about 300 datasets grouped into 10 national spatial themes and 2 additional categories.

Geocoded Addressing

The Geocoded addressing data theme is the single source of truth for address information in NSW.

Transport

The Transport data theme shows the land, water and air networks used to move people and goods, and deliver services from one location to another.
 

Physical Infrastructure

This additional data category covers cultural (man-made) features across NSW (utility lines, water supply canals, locations of facilities such as police stations and hospitals).

Elevation and Depth

This data theme provides accurate, multi-resolution data on the Earth’s surface, including contours, spot heights, digital elevation models, and point clouds.

Water

The Water data theme is based on hydrology, which includes the movement, distribution, and quality of surface and groundwater, and various water bodies related to infrastructure

Imagery

This theme consists of visual data collected from cameras on planes, satellites and equipment on the ground. This data gives clear pictures of the Earth’s surface, helping with mapping, emergency services, caring for the environment and other important tasks.
 

Physiography

This additional data category shows topographic features related to land surface and landforms, such as intertidal flats and approximate locations of named landforms with indistinct boundaries.
 

Administrative Boundaries

A collection of legislative, regulatory, political, maritime and general administrative boundaries sourced from local and state boundary datasets.

Land Parcel and Property

This data theme shows land parcel boundaries and properties under unique ownership and their property rights.

Imagery and Elevation Data Coordination Program

This program helps NSW Government agencies source imagery and elevation data and connects suppliers to agencies through the Remote Sensing Services and Equipment Scheme.

Place Names

A database of over 80,000 official place names, including their history, origin and meaning.

Positioning

This is NSW’s authoritative, reliable, high-accuracy spatial referencing system, providing a common reference for all geospatial data.

Learn about the Imagery and Elevation Data Coordination Program, which ensures NSW government agencies have access to a full and comprehensive range of imagery and elevation data.

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Foundation Spatial Data Framework

Learn more about the Foundation Spatial Data Framework

Watch a video to find out about NSW's FSDF, including:

  • how to access it
  • why it's important, and 
  • how agencies across NSW are using the FSDF.

Access the Foundation Spatial Data Framework

You can access NSW FSDF data through:

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