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Be outcomes focused: Consider what problems your service needs to solve and why they are important. Share your early-stage assumptions, gather diverse perspectives from stakeholders and take advantage of pre-existing data and resources. Clearly state the risks of action and inaction, who might be impacted, potential barriers to success and your knowledge gaps.
Frame the problem: Form a simple, clear problem statement from the evidence that’s already available. Use it as the basis of further research and validation, and to identify the users you need to engage with.
Don’t jump to solutions: Don’t anticipate a technical or design solution before validating the problems you’ve identified. Evaluate the rest of the Standard’s criteria to understand what else could drive the problem. Consider whether a new solution is required or if an existing platform or service might achieve the best outcome.
Align stakeholders to a vision: Engage key stakeholders to establish a shared vision for success. Ensure clear expectations are set for the project and everyone knows why change is necessary.

The requirements for each criterion are listed below, along with a brief description and best practice guidance to meet the requirements.

Digital Service Standard criterion checklist

DX Policy Compliance reporting exemption guide.pdf (pdf, 398.37 KB)
LAST UPDATED: 6 Jun 2025

Survey the policy and service landscape

See the bigger picture: Assess how the problems you identified play out in the broader policy and government service ecosystems. Use resources (such as the Australian Government Architecture and Delivering Great Policy Toolkit) to understand the landscape and the intentions of different policies.

Align to government priorities: Have a clear understanding of how your service will contribute to government priorities including the achievement of the Data and Digital Government Strategy 2030 vision.

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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.

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.

Authority

As part of the Data and Digital Government Strategy (the Strategy), Cabinet agreed that agencies need to implement short, medium, and long-term digital plans from 1 July 2025.

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 Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework (IOF) will have to be aligned with the DIP of the relevant agency.

Digital Investment Plan flow chart demonstrating the 6 sections: Agency Overview, Current State, Digital Outlook, Planning, Enablers, Risks.

Section 1: Agency Overview

Agency Mission

This section should provide a brief introduction of the role and functions of your agency and explain how digital technology underpins service delivery and outcomes.

Use clear and concise language and avoid jargon and acronyms. Provide examples and evidence to illustrate your points.

List of key digital services and outcomes

Define your key digital services including services you deliver to other agencies.

How do you deliver your digital services?

What are your core system capabilities based on your missions?

Who are your key stakeholders or customers?

How do your digital services and outcomes contribute to the Data and Digital Government Strategy?

See the bigger picture: Assess how the problems you identified play out in the broader policy and government service ecosystems. Use resources (such as the Australian Government Architecture and Delivering Great Policy Toolkit) to understand the landscape and the intentions of different policies.
Align to government priorities: Have a clear understanding of how your service will contribute to government priorities including the achievement of the Data and Digital Government Strategy 2030 vision.