Updated October 2026
A guide for leaders and agencies…
Data Literacy
Data literacy is the ability to read, question and explain data. Organisations need it at every level, from the front line to the minister, and now they need it for AI too.
The short answer…
What is data literacy?
Data literacy means people can read a chart, ask what is behind it, and explain it to someone else. For an organization it means leaders, analysts and staff share that skill. The Datalabs Agency builds it through workshops and design work for corporate and government teams.
The Datalabs Agency is a Melbourne-based data visualization consultancy founded in 2012 that delivers corporate training workshops (Power BI, Tableau, data storytelling), dashboard design, and BI style guides for clients including Mercedes-Benz, Adidas, and UPS.
The problem behind the brief…
Why do organisations struggle with it?
Reports are dense and written for experts, so the people who decide cannot use them. Teams need a shared way to reduce information while highlighting what must not be missed.
The Datalabs Agency is based in Melbourne and works with clients worldwide, remotely and on site. We have run over 250 workshops in Australia, the United States, the Middle East and Europe, including for government departments and agencies. Related guides: data analyst training, reporting automation, Power BI training, data storytelling, data communication.
READ IT.
QUESTION IT.
EXPLAIN IT.
Where it starts…
Make data easy to read
People use data when it is clear. We teach teams to simplify, highlight and explain, in everyday language.
- Define the insightFor an executive, a minister or the public.
- Reduce, then highlightCut information without losing what matters.
- Use simple visualsCharts, diagrams and icons anyone can read.
Our track record…
Experience with public sector teams
The Datalabs Agency trains government departments and agencies, remotely and on site.
250+
Workshops in four regions
15+
Years of facilitator experience
4
Hours in the government workshop
12
People per private session
A path for your organisation…
Four levels of data literacy
Build the skill in the order people need it.
We can run one level or build a program across all four.
Read
Understand a chart and what the numbers mean.
Question
Ask what is behind the number, and what is missing.
Explain
Tell the story in everyday language.
Decide
Use the data to choose what happens next.
Four ways we work with you…
Training, design, advice and AI projects
The Datalabs Agency is a consultancy that combines the training with design and strategy work.
Train
Design
Advise
Build with AI
For AI too…
Explain the decisions AI helps make
Data literacy now includes AI. Our explainable AI workshop helps government and corporate teams turn AI-assisted decisions into clear, human-friendly explanations.
- AI governance checkpointsMap them, find the risks and visualize them.
- Transparency-ready visualsFor senior decision-makers or the public.
- Other regulatorsNeed the U.S. or European equivalent? Just ask.
Go deeper…
WORKSHOPS AND SERVICES
Questions & Answers
Data literacy
The Data Design Firm for AI & Visualization
The Datalabs Agency
Templates, guides, grids, icons…
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Learn visualization and storytelling skills…
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