The Australian Government has a well-established foundation of data and digital transformation. Many of its programs, platforms and outcomes have been built off a number of reviews and inquiries into how the Government uses data, manages its workforce, provides digital services, supports online safety, protects privacy and strengthens overall cyber security.
The Strategy builds on this strong foundation by bringing the Government’s data and digital agenda together for the first time, and strengthening the expertise and excellence that already exists across the APS.
As of June 2023, there is $9.68 billion of active digital government projects. The Australian Government will continue to use its procurement profile to leverage the adoption of emerging technologies, target legacy systems and drive reuse of existing capabilities to maintain the value of taxpayer expenditure for Australian citizens.
The following snapshots represent just a fraction of the Government’s data and digital successes so far, and what can be achieved by building on these foundations.
Delivering for all people and business
Integration generates greater data insights
Developed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the National Integrated Health Services Information(Opens in a new tab/window) (NIHSI) draws together hospital patient data from states and territories alongside federal government datasets on health and aged care.
Open to approved government and researcher projects, it has already helped federal and state government departments holistically understand their citizens’ wellbeing and inform future policies.
Evidence-led actions designed by and for communities
Led by the Department of Social Services, the Stronger Places, Stronger People(Opens in a new tab/window) is a community-led, collective impact initiative, stewarded by the Australian Government in partnership with state and territory governments and 10 communities across Australia. The initiative shows how place based, collective impact can support better outcomes for children and their families through locally tailored and data and evidence-driven solutions to local problems, in partnership with local people.
Simple and seamless services
A one-stop-shop for Government’s ICT standards
Ongoing data and digital transformations create a wealth of technical knowledge that can be shared and standardised across the APS. The Australian Government Architecture(Opens in a new tab/window) brings together this information – including what standards to use, how and why – in an up-to-date repository which helps departments and agencies meet their ICT investment obligations.
Realising a reusable myGov platform
Services Australia undertook the Enhanced myGov(Opens in a new tab/window) program to make the platform simpler and more consistent for Australian citizens. Built on a digital ID backbone, the enhanced myGov platform gives government service providers a faster delivery platform that is responsive to changes in demand and flexible when future changes are required.
Government for the future
A continent’s worth of drone rules in one place
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is working with governments at all levels to finalise a repository of drone laws(Opens in a new tab/window). The website will make it easy for drone operators to understand the security, noise or environmental obligations, wherever in the country they fly, while a raw dataset and application programming interface (API) will allow for innovative integrations into new drone technology.
Steering toward safe government use of AI
The APS faces a heightened responsibility as generative AI technology makes its way into more everyday tools.
The AI Taskforce, co-led by the Digital Transformation Agency and Department of Industry, Science and Resources is developing whole-of-government guidance(Opens in a new tab/window), policies, principles and assurance that evolves over time, for how departments, agencies and their staff should use these tools, if at all.
Staging for future success
To realise the ambition of becoming a world class digital government, the Digital and ICT Oversight Framework (IOF)(Opens in a new tab/window) supports the Australian Government to make sound decisions on digital and ICT-enabled investments from early planning through to project delivery and benefits realisation.
Integrated into the contestability state of the IOF, the Benefits Management Policy sets minimum expectations for benefits management across the APS for digital and ICT-enabled investments. The ongoing development and iteration of the Policy will ensure benefits are at the centre of how digital investments are planned, prioritised, contested and assured. The Policy will also ensure investment activity is tracked and measured in terms of its contribution to realising the Strategy’s vision.
Trusted and secure
A secure platform for entities to share their data
Spun off from the DataLab(Opens in a new tab/window), the Australian Bureau of Statistics offers the Secure Environment for Analysing Data (SEAD) service to government departments and agencies. ‘SEADpod’ instances are certified for protected-level data, support popular analytic languages, and modern science tools, and makes data-sharing with cross-APS colleagues easy.
Improving data management practices
The Building trust in the public record managing information and data for government and community(Opens in a new tab/window) policy (2021) was developed by the National Archives of Australia. The policy provides an overarching framework to help Australian Government agencies meet their information management obligations under the Archives Act 1983.
It identifies key requirements and actions for agencies to improve their management of information assets, including data, with appropriate governance. This will enable agencies to implement fit-for-purpose processes and systems to reduce areas of inefficiency and risk.
Ensuring regulation remains fit for purpose
The Regulatory Reform Division(Opens in a new tab/window) within the Department of Finance is modernising regulation to ensure Australia’s regulatory system remains robust and fit for purpose in the digital era. This includes comprehensive systems mapping, targeted regulatory reforms to enable digital and data adoption in the economy, and equipping regulators with the skills and platforms to effectively navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Data and digital foundations
Connecting the APS’ knowledge, talent and opportunities
The Australian Public Service Commission introduced the Data and Digital Professions(Opens in a new tab/window) communities to increase capability, connect public servants and develop their careers.
Departments and agencies benefit from knowledge-sharing and skills development, while individuals can find support outside of their home agency and identify job opportunities.