Digital Investment Plan (DIP) guidebook
Digital Investment Plan (DIP) overview
Overview
The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has developed this guidance to support government agencies to design and implement Digital Investment Plans (DIP).
Greater focus on short, medium, and long-term planning intends to instil a culture of future-focused strategic digital investment planning, leading to better digital investment outcomes.
Authority
As part of the Data and Digital Government Strategy (the Strategy), Government agreed that agencies must implement short, medium, and long-term digital plans from 1 July 2025. This requirement is operationalised through the DIP Policy, which sets out minimum standards and expectations for DIPs.
As agreed by the Digital Leadership Committee (DLC) in November 2025, for agencies subject to the Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework (IOF), an endorsed DIP must be provided to the DTA annually from June 2026.
From the 2026-27 Budget context, agencies must have an approved DIP for planned digital investments. All proposals, except for unforeseen circumstances, must link back to the agency’s DIP to ensure alignment with the agency’s digital strategy.
Applicability
This guidebook is applicable to all government agencies that are required to submit a DIP as part of the Budget process. The DIP should align with the agency's strategic plan, business case, and ICT strategy, and demonstrate how the agency contributes to the achievement of the Strategy.
Proposals assessed by the DTA as a part of the IOF must be aligned with the DIP of the relevant agency.
Purpose of plan
The DIP is a resource to outline and define the short, medium, and long-term digital goals, initiatives, and outcomes of an agency's digital horizon. It also aligns digital investments with the strategic priorities, business needs and user expectations of the agency.
Minimum standards
The DIP Guidebook is structured around six minimum standards that your agency must address when preparing a DIP.
The six standards are set out in the sections that follow (Standards 1–6). Your agency must address each standard, and the guidebook provides practical guidance throughout.