Streamlined Science: Single sign-on with BioCommons Access
In a significant step towards integrating the tools and data that Australian life science researchers need, a new approach to accessing services across the Australian BioCommons ecosystem is coming. Launching in late March 2026, BioCommons Access will simplify access to multiple analysis and data services using a single sign-on. The availability of curated bundles of tools and data, and connections between services will streamline the research workflow.
BioCommons’ priorities are directed by the needs of life scientists, so services are always shaped by their research-driven stories. Rather than chasing new features down exciting tech rabbitholes, we nurture communities to hear researchers’ insights into how new services or better access to existing research infrastructures could transform their work.
We’ve heard that researchers feel like they are forced to become the ‘network switch’ between the many isolated services they need to run increasingly complex workflows. Rather than managing multiple accounts, and manually jumping between different platforms, our BioCommons BioCloud team is building a linked ecosystem with a single sign-on that allows access to and transition between analysis and data services, including simple data transfer and increased visibility of available resources. Galaxy Australia and the Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal will be the first two services connected and available through BioCommons Access, with additional services to follow.
Australian BioCommons Access will enable:
Single sign-on access to multiple analysis and data services
Streamlined use of Galaxy Australia and the Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal using one login
A central portal to manage your user profile across services
Connection to curated bundles of tools and data
Fast one-click transfer of data between services (coming in May 2026).
The data and analysis needs of the Threatened Species Initiative (TSI) shaped the first service “Bundle” that is available as an add-on to BioCommons Access. When new members join this national consortium, they can sign up just once to start analysing the TSI data in the Bioplatforms Data Portal using Galaxy Australia. By adding the TSI Bundle to their registration, researchers are approved to access both embargoed and sensitive data as well as specialised and directly relevant analytics resources that are curated and managed by the TSI and Galaxy Australia.
BioCommons Access will be available from March 26th 2026, replacing the requirement for individual logins to Galaxy Australia and the Bioplatforms Data Portal. Existing users will be supported to migrate to the new system.
Future developments in BioCommons Access include the addition of institutional logins via the Australian Access Federation (AAF), new bundles to support national research communities, and additional integrated services.
The BioCommons Access service is the result of a deep collaboration between Galaxy Australia, the Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal, and the BioCloud team. BioCloud is the BioCommons division responsible for designing and operating the foundational and integration platforms that power molecular life sciences research in Australia.
Bringing together software engineers, cloud infrastructure specialists, and user experience experts based at the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney, the BioCloud team builds secure, scalable platforms that enable researchers to work seamlessly across national capabilities. Expertise in digital identity and access management to deliver BioCommons Access was strengthened through a strategic partnership with BizData.
