About OnlyFacts
OnlyFacts is a nonpartisan, non-advocacy fact tank that combines data, editorial, and technology to elevate fact-based communication, discourse, and decision-making.
We aggregate data from a wide range of sources — publicly available datasets, private partnerships, investigations, and proprietary data. We specialise in tricky data that is fragmented, unstructured, messy, hidden, incomplete, delayed, or not machine-readable. We focus on small data—local, granular insights that are more relevant and actionable.
Data communication goes beyond visualisations. We use data as a foundation to build editorial and content pipelines that meet audiences where they are—to engage and inform. Users can instantly access the data behind the story and dig into it with full transparency. This transparency builds trust.
Our Story
OnlyFacts grew out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team started Australia’s first and largest websites tracking COVID data, making virus facts easier to access and understand.
Those years taught us an important lesson: communities and businesses are hungry for clear, accessible data that affects lives and livelihoods.
Our work became a hothouse for learning how best to measure and communicate data in the public interest. Now, we’re applying those lessons to other major issues.
Our Purpose
OnlyFacts is a purpose-driven company. Our goal is to:
- Give people the facts they need to make sense of the world around them
- Empower communities and organisations to be self-governing and make informed decisions
- Elevate fact-based public discourse
Our Principles
As a team dedicated to tracking and communicating public interest data, we follow these principles:
- Be relevant: The best data is fast and local
- Be accessible: Everyone should be able to understand
- Earn trust: Be transparent with data and sources
- Be clear: Logic should be self-discoverable
- No projections: Focus on what’s happening now
- No opinions: Break through media bubbles
- Noise-free: Avoid angle-driven stories and commentary
- Collaborative: Work with others
Our Founders
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Juliette O’Brien OAM
CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
Data journalist based in Sydney -
Anthony Macali OAM
CDO (Chief Data Officer)
Data analyst based in Melbourne
We’re a Purpose-Driven Company
We measure and communicate data that affects lives and livelihoods. We believe this work is both useful and important. If that’s true, we must deliver it sustainably. We decided that a purpose-driven company — where purpose and profit are interwoven — is the best way to achieve that.
No Projections or Modelling
Our focus is on figuring out what is actually happening now — not what might happen.
Avoiding projections and modelling is trickier than it sounds, especially when tracking climate data. Some assumptions are inevitable. For example, emission reductions from land use rely on modelling.
Occasionally, we’ll share projections from governments and other bodies when they’re relevant. And sometimes, it’s useful to show where we’re headed “if nothing changes something we learned during COVID. In these cases, we’ll make it clear.
But in general, we avoid projections and models. Just figuring out what’s happening now is hard enough.
No Opinions
We provide facts, data, and information — not opinions or assertions.
We recognise that editorial choices are unavoidable. What datasets should we tackle? What will we highlight? What words should we use? These are all editorial decisions.
But our guiding goal isn’t to stir debate or convince anyone. It’s to identify and communicate baseline truths — all in pursuit of one deceptively simple question: what is happening?
Our Pillars
OnlyFacts operates across three interconnected pillars, all using the same core technology, resources, and data models. Each supports the others and diversifies opportunities.
OF Platform – A data platform and content ecosystem where Australians can find, follow, discuss, and use timely, relevant data about major issues. We’ve started with climate data, covering the causes and effects of climate change in Australia.
OF Studio – A professional consultancy that helps businesses and communities use data, editorial, and technology to engage teams and audiences and tell their story powerfully and responsibly. Ideal for clients that need data analysis, data storytelling and evidence-based content.
OF Research (in development) – A not-for-profit fact tank focused on elevating fact-based public discourse through action-based research into effective fact-based communication strategies for complex and evolving issues.