Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

The Australian Government has today released the Data and Digital Government Strategy (the Strategy) which sets out its vision to deliver simple, secure, and connected public services through world class data and digital capabilities.

This is the first combined data and digital strategy for the Australian Government, and it will be a blueprint for the coordinated investment in, and use and management of, data and digital technologies in the Australian Public Service (APS) through to 2030.

The Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Senator Katy Gallagher, said she wants to ensure the APS is keeping up with technology and adopting leading-edge practices, while ensuring services are inclusive and accessible.

“We want to provide better services that are easy to use, that save people time and money, and that are safe and secure,” Minister Gallagher said.

The Strategy has been informed by extensive consultations with the Australian community.

“People told us about the importance of trust in public services, and that no one should be left behind as government services move online, Minister Gallagher said.

“Industry highlighted the opportunities of partnering with government on innovative, emerging technologies – especially those from Australian suppliers. The wider community shared their strong desire for closer partnership by government with all corners of the economy and society, to share ideas and co-design policies and services.”

The Strategy sets out 5 missions to accelerate data and digital transformation across the APS:

• Delivering for all people and business
• Simple and seamless services
• Government for the future
• Trusted and secure
• Data and Digital foundations

 The Strategy is accompanied by an Implementation Plan which establishes transparent, whole-of-government scorecards to track progress with unprecedented accountability.

To achieve our 2030 vision, we will need to build our data and digital expertise within the APS, and more effectively partner with industry, the community sector and academia to deliver for the Australian public.

“The Liberal/National Government spent 10 years outsourcing core public service work, eroding the capability of the APS.”

“Digital and data skills are no longer a nice to have, they’re essential in the modern workplace. We’re bringing back core public service skills and building the APS’s data and digital capabilities with a focus on supporting more women and those from diverse backgrounds to succeed in digital roles.”

“We also know there’s a role for state and territory governments, industry, the community sector and academia to play in supporting government to get this right – be it industry providing specialist technical skills and capabilities under the Buy Australian Plan; academia informing research and development; or working directly with communities to support the design and delivery of services. Partnering effectively with all sectors is vital.”

Explore the Strategy and Implementation Plan and stay updated on the Data and Digital website.