The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI editors and agents query live data sources as tools. ausdata.io ships an MCP server that exposes every curated dataset and composed endpoint as a tool your AI assistant can call directly.

What MCP gives you

Instead of copying CSV files into a chat window, you ask:

"What was the RBA cash rate in March 2026?"

Your AI assistant calls the MCP tool, receives live JSON, and answers with the exact number. No hallucination. No stale spreadsheets.

Supported editors

Claude Desktop

Add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ausdata": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ausdata-mcp"],
      "env": { "AUSDATA_API_KEY": "ak_YOUR_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add to .cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ausdata": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ausdata-mcp"],
      "env": { "AUSDATA_API_KEY": "ak_YOUR_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Windsurf

Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ausdata": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ausdata-mcp"],
      "env": { "AUSDATA_API_KEY": "ak_YOUR_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Tools exposed

Five tools per sister, repeated across all 9 sisters (abs, rba, ato, apra, aihw, asic, aemo, wgea, au_weather):

• {sister}_search --- plain-English search within the sister
• {sister}_describe --- schema and valid filter values
• {sister}_get_data --- fetch rows with filters
• {sister}_latest --- most recent observation
• {sister}_list_curated --- curated dataset catalogue

Use cases

Financial modelling Ask your AI to build a DCF using live RBA cash rate and ABS CPI.

Newsletter drafting Pull latest unemployment and wage growth into your draft without leaving the editor.

Dashboard prototyping Describe the chart you want; your AI writes the code using live data.

Policy research Query cross-source composers like real-rate-regime and credit-impulse in plain English.

Pricing

MCP usage counts against your API tier like any other call. Free tier: 500 calls per month. Analyst: 10,000. Embed: 100,000.

Get a free API key → /register