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Secretaries Digital and Data Committee

The Secretaries Digital and Data Committee is a subcommittee of the Secretaries Board.  

Purpose 

The purpose of the SDDC is to provide strategic leadership to promote an APS-enterprise approach to the planning, coordination, investment, assurance, and delivery of trusted and secure digital and data capabilities across government. 

Membership 

The Committee will comprise of the following members:

• The Secretary of the Department of Finance (co-Chair)
• The Commissioner of Taxation (co-Chair)
• The Secretary of the Department of Social Services
• The Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department
• The Secretary of the Department of Defence
• The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs
• The Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources
• The Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• The Secretary of the Department of the Treasury
• The Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• The Australian Public Service Commissioner
• The Australian Statistician
• The Chief Executive Officer of Services Australia
• The Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Transformation Agency
• The Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate

The co-Chairs may rotate through the membership on a periodic basis.

Changes to membership are to be agreed by co-Chairs.

Terms of Reference 

The Secretaries Digital and Data Committee Terms of Reference were updated and officially endorsed at the meeting on 25 September 2025.

Communiques 

The Secretaries Digital and Data Committee is committed to modelling transparency with regard to communicating its priorities and decisions. 

Communiques were established from the following meetings: 

• SDDC Communique 25 September 2025
• SDDC Communique 19 June 2025
• SDDC Communique 13 March 2025
• SDDC Communique 12 December 2024
• SDDC Communique 8 August 2024
• SDDC Communique 24 April 2024
• SDDC Communique 15 March 2024
• SDDC Communique 27 November 2023
• SDDC Communique 18 August 2023
• SDDC Communique 29 June 2023
• SDDC Communique 30 March 2023
• SDDC Communique 24 February 2023
• SDDC Communique 23 November 2022
• SDDC Communique 19 October 2022

Secretaries Digital and Data Committee Terms of Reference

Purpose and Scope 

1. The Secretaries Digital and Data Committee (the Committee) is convened as a sub-committee of Secretaries Board. The purpose of the Committee is to provide strategic leadership to promote an APS enterprise approach to the planning, coordination, investment, assurance, and delivery of trusted and secure digital and data capabilities across government.
2. No new senior digital or data governance forums will be established without this Committee’s approval.

3. Without limiting the scope of matters to be considered, the Committee will:

   Direction setting

   • Drive enterprise-wide digital and data transformation and provide advice on the strategic direction of whole of government digital and data priorities, strategies and policies.
   • Drive the adoption of common patterns, platforms, and services to promote the sharing and re-use of digital and data capabilities across government, consistent with the Australian Government Architecture policies and standards.
   • Identify and recommend mitigations to manage whole of government data and digital risk.

   Common Platforms

   • Drive improvements in strategic planning for digital and ICT investment including through the Integrated Digital Investment Plan and Digital Investment Overview, with advice to Ministers ahead of each Budget.
   • Drive whole of government data priorities, including through improved data management, governance, linkage, handling and use.
   • Guide a structured approach to assurance activities of critical initiatives that are high risk or have dependencies associated with delivery and recommend interventions to Government where programs and projects are not delivering.

   Workforce and capability

   • Support the development of the Data and Digital Professions and initiatives to develop digital and data talent across the Australian Public Service.

   Emerging technologies

   • Drive better use of data and adoption of emerging technologies.
   • Identify barriers to the adoption of emerging technologies, focusing on but not limited to technical challenges, funding constraints, leadership and cultural barriers.
   • Drive the implementation of technical solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, while putting mitigations in place to maintain public trust and integrity.
4. The Committee will support the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) and Department of Finance, including the National Data Commissioner, to fulfil their whole of government digital and data leadership roles.

Membership

5. The Committee will comprise of the following members:
   • The Secretary of the Department of Finance (co-Chair)
   • The Commissioner of Taxation (co-Chair)
   • The Secretary of the Department of Social Services
   • The Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department
   • The Secretary of the Department of Defence
   • The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs
   • The Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources
   • The Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
   • The Secretary of the Department of the Treasury
   • The Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
   • The Australian Public Service Commissioner
   • The Australian Statistician
   • The Chief Executive Officer of Services Australia
   • The Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Transformation Agency
   • The Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate
6. The co-Chairs may rotate through the membership on a periodic basis.
7. Changes to membership are to be agreed by co-Chairs.

Work Program

8. The Secretariat will prepare a Forward Work Program annually for agreement by the Committee.
9. The Forward Work Program will be prepared in consultation with the Committee and with reference to any relevant work programs agreed by Secretaries Board.
10. The Forward Work Program will outline the themes and major bodies of work for the Committee to consider during the calendar year.
11. The Forward Work Program will be updated by the Secretariat to reflect agreed changes throughout the year.

Attendance

12. It is expected that members will be available for committee meetings.
13. To support the effectiveness of the Committee and align with revised Secretaries Board arrangements, delegates are discouraged from attending on behalf of members but may attend at the discretion of the co-Chairs.
14. A quorum will be at least one co-Chair and 50 percent of members. If a quorum is not met, a meeting may still proceed at the discretion of the co-Chair(s).
15. Co-Chairs may invite observers to attend and participate in Committee meetings, including other APS Senior Executives directly responsible for policy or project delivery where their Secretary or Agency Head is not a member.
16. If a member is unable to attend, they may seek approval via the Secretariat from the co-Chair/s to send a delegate at the SES Band 3 or 2 level as an observer.

Responsibility of members

17. Committee members are representatives and stewards of the APS as a whole, as well as their individual agencies.

Decision making authority

18. The Committee is authorised by the Secretaries Board to progress and make decisions regarding the responsibilities outlined in these Terms of Reference.
19. Substantive recommendations will be presented to Secretaries Board for decision, as required.

Meeting Frequency

20. The Committee will meet a minimum of four times per calendar year.
21. The Committee may consider matters out of session.

Performance and Transparency 

22. The Committee will provide a performance report to Secretaries Board every 6 months.
23. The Committee will publish a communique after each meeting to provide advice on key strategic decisions made.
24. The Terms of Reference will be reviewed at least annually and provided to Secretaries Board for endorsement.

Secretariat

25. Secretariat services for the Committee will be provided by the DTA.
26. Agenda, papers and a draft communique will be provided to members approximately five business days before each meeting, or as agreed by the co-Chairs.
27. Papers will include a cascade note from which a communique will be prepared.
28. Draft minutes and action items will be provided to members for review approximately five business days after each meeting, or as agreed by the co-Chairs.

Subordinate Committees 

29. The Committee is principally supported by the Digital Leadership Committee, which provides executive oversight of whole of government digital outcomes, and the Deputy Secretaries Data Group, which provides oversight of whole of government data outcomes.
30. Papers presented to the Committee should be subjected to appropriate consultation and intellectual scrutiny, and be considered at one of the above subordinate committees, unless agreed by the co-Chairs, prior to Committee consideration.
31. These two subordinate committees will report to the Committee on performance against agreed performance measures, and provide advice on significant issues, trends and opportunities every twelve months.
32. Other subordinate committees include:
    • the Artificial Intelligence Steering Committee, which oversees activities to support the safe and responsible adoption of AI in government; and
    • the myGov Strategic Committee, which serves as a whole-of-government strategic governance body tasked with shaping the future of myGov.

Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique 

Date: 8 August 2024 

SDDC bi-annual performance report to Secretaries’ Board 

Members endorsed the Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee (SDDC) performance report for the period 1 January – 30 June 2024 for submission to the Secretaries Board. 

Annual terms of reference review 

Members agreed to the updated Terms of Reference for the SDDC. 

Strategic discussion: driving data transformation in the APS 

Data landscape 

Members noted and discussed the progressive improvements in the management and use of data in the Australian Public Service (APS) over the past decade, and the opportunities and challenges in leading data transformation in the APS. 

National Cabinet tasking on gender based violence 

Members noted that Data and Digital Ministers will provide advice to National Cabinet on how to improve information sharing about gender-based violence perpetrators across systems and jurisdictions. 

National disability data asset and next steps for Australian National Data Integration Infrastructure

Members discussed the National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) project and next steps for the underlying infrastructure, the Australian National Data Integration Infrastructure (ANDII). 

Members noted the significant progress to deliver the NDDA and the build of ANDII. Members acknowledged key issues relating to data sharing across jurisdictions – in particular the challenges arising with complex legal arrangements. 

Acquisition and governance arrangements for private sector data 

Members discussed collaborative approaches to private sector data acquisition and establishing governance arrangements for the APS. Implementing a whole-of-government approach to procuring private sector data, along with ensuring alignment and consistency with contractual terms, will drive better outcomes and maximise the value derived from data acquisitions. 

APS ERP approach 

Members noted an update on the implementation of the APS Enterprise Resource Planning approach. 

Digital ID 

Members considered an update on the Digital ID Program. This included the 2024-25 Budget outcomes, passage of the Digital ID legislation in April 2024, and work across Commonwealth agencies to pilot the use of government verifiable credentials and digital wallets. 

Stronger privacy protection and enforcement through the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme 

Members noted the Office of the Information Commissioner’s important work as Australia’s privacy regulator, including its regulatory role with respect to the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme. 

The date for the next SDDC meeting is to be confirmed.

Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique 

Date: 24 April 2024 

Thematic discussion: APS Digital Systems 

Members discussed the challenges associated with ensuring digital systems are connected and managed efficiently across the APS. A collaborative approach to digital delivery will provide opportunities to drive better outcomes through consolidation and shared delivery. 

Integrated Digital Investment Plan (IDIP) update 

Members discussed the maturity and value of the IDIP and challenges associated with systems reaching end of life as well as legacy systems. 

Members agreed the next IDIP will be presented to the November 2024 SDDC meeting and noted the IDIP Pipeline Status Check and Insights Report to support Secretaries’ decision-making on the priority of investments, uplift capability and reuse across the Australian Public Service (APS). 

Progress on SAP negotiations 

Members noted that SAP negotiations are nearing completion with a new whole-of-government arrangement expected to commence immediately following expiry of the current contract at the end of June 2024. 

Governance of Indigenous data implementation 

Members discussed and endorsed the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s (NIAA) proposed Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data Implementation. 

Members noted the SDDC’s ongoing role in direction and oversight of the Framework implementation across government, and agreed the NIAA publish the Framework as a matter of priority.

ABS Consultancy Service to support the APS Strategic Commissioning Framework objective to limit outsourcing across the APS 

Members noted the ABS Consultancy Service provides access to a team of data analysts to assist departments and agencies to access and analyse data from a range of ABS and Integrated data assets. The ABS Consultancy Service supports departments and agencies to fulfil the APS Strategic Commissioning Framework objective to limit outsourced consultancy and contractor work across the APS.

Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique 

Date: 15 March 2024 

Members in attendance 

• Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance, co-Chair
• Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary, Department of Social Services, co-Chair 
• Ms Stephanie Foster PSM, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs 
• Ms Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
• Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics 
• Mr Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency 
• Mr David Hazlehurst, Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia
• Ms Rachel Noble PSM, Director General, Australian Signals Directorate 
• Mr Rob Heferen, Commissioner of Taxation, Australian Taxation Office 

Apologies: 

• Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
• Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary, Department of Defence 
• Ms Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary, Attorney General’s Department 
• Mr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 

Proxies in attendance 

• Ms Nadine Williams, A/g Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
• Mr Chris Crozier, Chief Information Officer, Department of Defence 
• Mr Cameron Gifford, Chief Operating Officer, Attorney General’s Department 
• Dr Subho Banerjee, Second Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 

Observers 

• Mr Ramez Katf, Second Commissioner, Australian Taxation Office 
• Mr John Shepherd, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance 
• Mr Charles McHardie AM, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia 
• Ms Olivia Wheeler, A/g Branch Manager, Digital Transformation Agency 
• Ms Cathy Koch, Director, Secretariat, Digital Transformation Agency 

Data and Digital Ministers Meeting 2024 Forward Work Program 

The Committee noted the Data and Digital Ministers Meeting 2024 Work Plan and work underway to maintain momentum on data sharing across jurisdictions and between agencies for major projects. 

SDDC biannual performance report to Secretaries Board 

The Committee endorsed the SDDC Biannual Report for submission to the Secretaries Board and noted it was a good summary and assessment of SDDC achievements. 

Sub-committee performance reporting

The Committee endorsed the Annual Performance Reports from the Digital Leadership Committee and the Deputy Secretaries Data Group, as well as the updated Terms of Reference for the Deputy Secretaries Data Group. 

Thematic discussion: digital service delivery 

Members discussed the expectations on government to provide people and businesses with high levels of assurance, low levels of risk, and easy to use services. The challenges associated with achieving ‘seamless service delivery’ were explored, noting that sharing restrictions are often required to ensure data remains safe and secure. Members noted that digital service delivery was only one channel and that government needed to improve the broader service delivery ecosystem, including telephony and shopfronts. 

Members discussed accommodating different cohort preferences, for example, individuals and small businesses typically prefer a single point of contact whereas large businesses prefer direct contact through expert systems. 

myGov 

The Committee noted myGov is for all Australians including those without a phone or computer. 

Members were encouraged to consider using myGov prior to developing new, siloed platforms and to apply discipline in the application of consistent design patterns across government to improve the user experience. Members discussed a variety of issues related to myGov and the importance of working across Government to resolve integration issues with different portals. 

Members noted the activities underway to progress commitments made in the Government’s Response to the myGov User Audit. 

Services Australia Strategic Initiatives: 

a. Health delivery modernisation (HDM) 

Members noted the update on the Health Delivery Modernisation Program. 

b. Birth of a Child Initiative and Budget submission 

Members noted the update for the Birth of Child project

Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee Meeting communique 

Date: 27 November 2023 

Members in attendance: 

• Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance, co-Chair 
• Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary, Department of Social Services, co-Chair 
• Ms Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department 
• Mr Greg Moriarty, Secretary, Department of Defence 
• Mr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 
• Mr Chris Jordan AO, Commissioner of Taxation, Australian Taxation Office 
• Ms Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources 
• Ms Rachel Noble, Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate 
• Dr David Gruen, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics 
• Mr Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency 

Apologies: 

• Ms Stephanie Foster, A/g Secretary, Department of Home Affairs 
• Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
• Mr Chris Birrer, A/g Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia 

Proxies in attendance: 

• Mr Jonathon Thorpe, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia 
• Ms Nadine Williams, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
• Mr Matthew Hay, Deputy Commissioner, Australian Taxation Office 

Guest presenter: 

• Ms Jody Broun, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Australians Agency 
• Mr John Shepherd, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance 

Deputy Secretaries Data Group (DSDG) Performance Framework

Members agreed the updated DSDG Terms of Reference reflecting the new requirement for annual reporting to SDDC on its strategic objectives and performance and further agreed the performance framework, noting the first annual report will be tabled in February 2024. 

Digital Identity 

Members discussed the progress achieved, the role of the Digital Identity regulator and in particular the linkages with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and future regulatory arrangements. 

Data and Digital Government Strategy (DDGS) Implementation Plan

 The Committee discussed the Strategy and the Implementation Plan which are anticipated to be released by the end of 2023. 

Emerging digital customer protection requirement 

Members noted the work undertaken to consult across the APS on opportunities for a whole of government approach to digital protection requirements in the updated Digital Service Standard, and the exploration of an APS-wide Customer Experience Standard via the APS reform agenda. 

Integrated Digital Investment Plan (IDIP) 

Members discussed the benefits of a 10-year plan and agreed the IDIP Pipeline Status Check and Insights Report be submitted to SDDC biannually and noted the purpose of the report is to aid Secretaries’ decision-making on the priority of investments, uplift capability and reuse across the APS. 

Update on Digital and ICT Planning Project 

Members discussed and agreed to the prioritised recommendations of the Long-term Digital Investment Planning Report and agreed to small working groups progressing implementation design and reporting back to SDDC. 

Governance of Indigenous Data (the Framework) 

Members acknowledged the commendable work completed to develop the Framework, referred the implementation plan to Secretaries’ Board for consideration and agreed to provide oversight of implementation of the Framework. 

Maturing and growing the Data Profession 

Members noted the Data Profession three-year report and achievements and agreed the future priorities

Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee Meeting communique 

Date: 18 August 2023 

Members in attendance:

• Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance, co-Chair 
• Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary, Department of Social Services, co-Chair 
• Mr Michael Pezzullo AO, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs 
• Ms Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources 
• Ms Rachel Noble PSM, Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate 
• Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics 
• Mr Chris Jordan AO, Commissioner of Taxation, Australian Taxation Office 
• Ms Rebecca Skinner PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia 
• Ms Sarah Chidgey PSM, A/g Secretary, Attorney-General's Department 
• Mr Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency 

Apologies: 

• Mr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 
• Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
• Mr Greg Moriarty, Secretary, Department of Defence 
• Ms Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary, Attorney-General's Department 

Proxies in attendance: 

• Mr Shane Johnson, First Assistant Secretary, Policy Innovation and Projects, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 

Observers: 

• Dr Subho Banerjee, Deputy Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 
• Mr Brenton Philp, Deputy Secretary Markets Group, Department of the Treasury 
• Ms Mary Wiley-Smith, Deputy Secretary, Business Enabling Services, Department of Finance 
• Ms Tanja Cvijanovic, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance 
• Mr Ramez Katf, Second commissioner and CIO, Australian Taxation Office
• Mr Nathan Williamson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Finance 
• Ms Shannon Frazer, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance 
• Ms Ingrid Lundberg, Assistant Secretary, Policy Innovation and Projects, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
• Ms Lucy Poole, General Manager, Digital Strategy, Architecture and Discovery, Digital Transformation Agency
• Ms Lauren Mills, Branch Manager, Digital Strategy, Digital Transformation Agency 
• Ms Cathy Koch, Director, Secretariat, Digital Transformation Agency 
• Ms Debbie Martiniello, Assistant Director, Secretariat, Digital Transformation Agency

Data and Digital Government Strategy 

The Committee acknowledged the national and wide-ranging public consultation undertaken and noted the intention to publicly release a what we heard document of responses received. Further, the Committee noted the progress on developing a metrics and measurements framework to measure progress. 

Cross-jurisdictional life events 

The Committee noted the Data and Digital Ministers meeting endorsed the findings of the cross-jurisdictional life events review and agreed to the recommendations. The Commonwealth will lead the implementation of recommendations in collaboration with states and territories. The Digital Transformation Agency will return in 2024 to seek endorsement of the proposed Commonwealth strategic narrative (vision) and identified Commonwealth priorities for a reformed cross-jurisdictional life events program. 

Future of shared services 

The Committee discussed the update on the future of shared services. 

myGov User Audit Government response 

The Committee endorsed taking the high-level summary of the Government’s response to the myGov User Audit to the Secretaries’ Board for consideration to ensure a full APS-wide response is developed. The Committee also endorsed the establishment of myGov as the primary digital front door for Government services and the development of a decision-making framework led by the DTA to support an agreed approach to digital consolidation and alternate front doors. 

Update on digital & ICT planning project 

The Committee discussed the digital & ICT planning project and noted it required further consideration at the next meeting. 

2023-24 MYEFO Digital Investment Overview (DIO) and evaluation progress 

Members noted the progress made on the Digital Investment Overview evaluation along with next steps and acknowledged the value and usefulness of the document which was well-received by members.