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Staff consultation and engagement

Embedding genuine staff and union engagement in AI-related APS changes

Lead agency: APSC

Meaningful consultation with staff and unions will be critical to building trust in AI adoption across the APS. It will ensure employees have a voice in how AI is introduced, how to get the benefits, what problems can be solved with AI and where it is likely to have a significant effect or material impact on them, including impacts related to gender, cultural identity, and First Nations peoples.

To support this, the APSC will issue a Circular setting out clear standards for consultation on AI-related workplace changes. These standards will align with existing obligations in APS Enterprise Agreements and specifically address the use of AI in the APS. The Circular will complement existing engagement frameworks across the APS, such as Agency Consultative Committees, which enable inclusive and representative input from employees and unions. These mechanisms support meaningful input from employees and unions, particularly ahead of major workplace changes. Genuine and effective consultation generally involves providing employees and their relevant union with a genuine opportunity to influence the decision prior to it being made.

AI delivery and enablement (AIDE)

Central team accelerating AI adoption

Lead agency: Finance

The Australian Government will establish a central function, AI delivery and enablement (AIDE), to take the lead in accelerating the uptake of safe and effective AI which will ensure timely adoption and more efficient government services. This multidisciplinary team will complement, but not replace, existing whole-of-government structures and processes with a dedicated focus on adoption through helping tackle common adoption barriers, navigating and reducing the complex compliance uncertainties raised by AI, and identifying and sharing lessons. Through their work, the team could help bring core work back into the public service.

Recognising that early adopters face challenges and delays, this team will help to expose and question existing assumptions and processes that might be inadvertently slowing adoption. It will explore the implications for public services raised by first-movers to inform future implementations. It will capture use-cases that can inform broader opportunities for whole-of-government adoption of AI and promote re-use of solutions. The team will leverage the enthusiasm and skills existing across the APS to help it understand emerging issues early on and to help pull together guidance on what works – and what does not. Noting the fast-moving nature of the technology, the team will take a flexible and iterative approach informed by learning from across the APS. For this reason, the team will also have responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation of this plan.

Chief AI Officers

Accelerating adoption, driving cultural change, connecting agencies

Lead agency: Finance

Agencies will appoint Chief AI Officers in recognition of the fundamental shift that generative AI is bringing to government operations. These senior leaders will accelerate consistent and collaborative AI capability development across the APS, identifying where AI can meaningfully improve Australians’ lives through faster service delivery, better-targeted policy interventions, and more efficient allocation of resources.

Chief AI Officers will drive adoption and advocate for strategic change within their agencies. Their responsibilities will include leading internal engagement, sharing guidance and use cases, providing contestable advice, and overseeing AI adoption, experimentation, and innovation. Chief AI Officers will have the mission and authority to effect change, and will focus on enabling strategic uptake and innovation.

Chief AI Officers are responsible for leading the required change in their agencies, while AI Accountable Officials are responsible for the governance required to comply with the AI in government policy. Agencies will have flexibility to determine who best in their structure meets the needs of the Chief AI Officer role. Some agencies, such as smaller organisations, may opt to have both the Chief AI Officer and Accountable Official roles fulfilled by the same leader. Chief AI Officers will be supported by early adopters and experts within their agencies who have hands-on experience applying AI in their work, whether for personal efficiency, specific job-related functions, or workflow integration. A peer working group will develop shared training materials for distribution via platforms such as GovAI, APS Professions and the APS Academy. This network will build on the existing AI Community of Practice, serving as a forum to provide feedback on common, reusable AI use cases, ways of working and strategies. Chief AI Officers will convert AI’s potential into demonstrable improvements in government performance, driving the capabilities and collaborative approaches needed to deliver for Australians.

Re-using intellectual property

Re-using solutions, ensuring visibility, removing duplication

Lead agency: Finance

GovAI will provide a platform for making intellectual property (IP) discoverable and reusable across the APS, which will reduce duplication, reduce costs, and accelerate knowledge sharing within the APS. Agencies frequently procure valuable IP from consultancies or develop their own IP including strategies, code for scenario analysis, and applications (many of which will be AI empowered). But these materials are often invisible across government. As a result, agencies approach the market at significant expense for work that already exists. The platform will be consistent with the intellectual property principles for Commonwealth entities.

Making IP easily discoverable will allow agencies and centres of excellence (such as Australian Government Consulting) to efficiently synthesise insights from existing contract materials, approaches and reports, and consolidate Commonwealth-owned outputs. With tailored support to align materials with each agency’s needs, the APS could strengthen internal capability and reduce dependence on external contractors.

The existing GovAI Use Case Library, which already includes 20 detailed AI use cases from across the APS, could be augmented to support this expanded capability. This could also learn from similar models, like the United Kingdom’s i.AI Incubator with its open-source suite of tools on GitHub. As well as reuse of IP, having a common disclaimer for collecting data will ensure transparency around the government’s use of that data with AI tools.

Consistent with the Data and Digital Government Strategy, agencies will make non-sensitive government data open by default. Opening and sharing these data assets enables AI development that supports evidence-based decision-making, drives productivity across sectors, and delivers better outcomes for people and business.

Central register of generative AI assessments

Sharing and aligning assessments to avoid duplication

Lead agency: Finance

The government will create a centralised register, hosted on GovAI, for completed assessments for AI systems and services. For instance, this could include those conducted for Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) risk assessments, Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) assessments, cyber-security assessments of systems, and relevant impact assessments. This will help streamline procurement and deployment processes across the APS. Sharing of already completed processes will allow agencies to reference and reuse existing evaluations, speeding adoption. Agencies will be able to access prior assessments of platforms and tools conducted by other departments, not only saving time but also ensuring alignment with all security requirements across agencies.

The framework and documentation will be established in coordination with lead policy bodies such as the DTA and Department of Finance, and in close consultation with relevant bodies such as the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the Department of Home Affairs. While agencies are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance and risk management, sharing creates a starting foundation to achieve efficiencies and reduce duplicated effort where possible.

New whole-of-government cloud policy

Driving cloud adoption, unlocking greater AI potential

Lead agency: DTA

Cloud adoption is critical for agencies to unlock the full potential of AI through enhancing service delivery, enabling real-time data access, and supporting advanced analytics. The government will develop a new whole-of-government cloud policy to support responsible AI use in government by ensuring agencies can securely and efficiently leverage cloud infrastructure.

The policy will set clear requirements for cloud use, guiding agencies to accelerate cloud uptake while maintaining compliance with protective security standards and uplifting workforce capability. It will also address legacy migration challenges, ensuring that transitions are managed safely and efficiently.

AI Review Committee

Enhancing oversight and ensuring consistent, ethical deployment of AI

Lead agency: DTA

The government will establish an AI Review Committee to enhance whole-of-government oversight and ensure consistent, responsible deployment of AI across the APS. The committee will comprise experts from right across the APS, ensuring best practice approaches inform decision-making, drawing on the guidance and insights of the Australian Information Commissioner, Privacy Commissioner, Commonwealth Ombudsman and others who oversee government administration.

This committee will provide advice and non-binding recommendations to agencies on high-risk AI use cases. It will ensure decisions around sensitive or complex AI deployments are grounded in cross-disciplinary scrutiny, consider diverse voices, and uphold government AI safety.

Beyond case-by-case reviews, the committee may conduct deep dives into emerging AI risks and ethics issues. For example, if a future central AI use case register identifies a surge in deployments within a particular domain – such as predictive analytics in compliance or employment decisions – the committee could be tasked with providing targeted advice.

This function would enable early identification of systemic risks and support proactive guidance to agencies, including on remedies when things do not go to plan. The committee will also support responses and recommendations following serious AI incidents, and ensure lessons and available remedies are reflected in future proposals, supporting continuous improvement in government AI practices.

Clear expectations of external service providers

Service providers are responsible for their work when using AI

Lead agency: DTA

The Digital Transformation Agency’s Digital Sourcing ClauseBank includes optional clauses stating that service provider use of AI is approved by the buyer. The government will expand this approach by requiring all suppliers under the whole of government Management Advisory Services and People Panels to advise of any planned use of AI in the delivery of services when responding to requests for quotes.

The government will also add to the broader Commonwealth Contracting Suite and Clausebank clauses which clearly state that consultants and external contractors remain fully responsible for the services they deliver - regardless of whether generative AI is used in their development or delivery - and that ensure transparency and accountability in the use of generative AI technologies by external providers.

These will better equip agencies to assess risks and manage compliance throughout the procurement lifecycle, and meet their probity obligations under the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government.

AI Strategic communication initiatives

Ensuring consistent, clear messaging on the safe and responsible adoption of AI

Lead agency: Finance

Clear and consistent communication about AI is essential to building trust and confidence across the APS. Staff need to understand what AI can be used for, what’s allowed, and how risks are being managed, as well as where to go for help and what to do when things don’t go to plan. This helps them feel confident, empowered, and supported in using AI safely and responsibly.

A centrally coordinated approach to these communications will ensure that all agencies are aligned with whole-of-government policies and expectations. It also supports transparency, because openness and consistency in how we talk about AI helps build trust across the APS and reinforces confidence in how decisions are made.

Strategic communication will play a key role in reinforcing existing consultation and engagement frameworks across the APS, such as provisions in Enterprise Agreements, agency consultative committees and the APS Consultative Committee. It will complement these processes by delivering consistent messaging, practical tools, and resources to help employees understand and adapt to the integration of AI in their work. It will also support the establishment of genuine consultation, ensuring transparency, building trust, and fostering workforce support for change.

Statement of Intent on AI in the Australian Public Service

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are rapidly evolving and already transforming the way we do business. These tools offer unprecedented opportunities to deliver better services for Australians and drive public service efficiency. The challenge for us is to leverage these technologies for the benefit of all Australians while protecting them from harm. Adoption of AI technologies by government should always be for the benefit of people – not for its own sake.

We want to use AI to:

• make people’s lives better
• improve government service delivery, efficiency, and productivity
• ensure the benefits of this technology are shared equitably, creating a higher standard of living for all Australians.

This approach aligns with the Government’s ambition for AI in Australia, to:

• capture the opportunity of AI
• spread the benefits widely, and
• keep Australians safe.

The Australian Public Service (APS) is uniquely positioned to support Government’s AI ambitions by leading from the front. By procuring, developing and using safe AI tools, the APS can support Australia’s AI market, build the social license for AI use, ensure widespread access and inclusion and demonstrate practical management of AI risks.

As per the Data and Digital Government Strategy, the Australian Government is committed to a modern public service that puts people and business at the centre of it's data and digital transformation. The work of the AI Plan for the Australian Public Service is a step towards that vision.

The Government is committed to demonstrating the highest standards of safe and ethical use of AI in the APS. Public confidence and trust are essential for the Government to embrace AI’s potential. The community rightly expects the Government to use new technologies in a manner that is safe, transparent, and responsible. The Government will always put people first and ensure AI adoption doesn’t exacerbate inequality, bias, or unfair treatment.

Building on strong foundations

There are a range of existing legal and policy protections in place that safeguard the rights of Australians:

• The APS Values and Code of Conduct already provides base level expectations of public servants across all their work, regardless of what technology they use to help deliver it.
• The Protective Security Policy Framework prescribes what Australian Government entities must do to protect their people, information and resources.
• The Privacy Act 1988 promotes and protects the privacy of individuals and regulates how Australian Government agencies handle personal information.
• There are also governance mechanisms such as audit processes, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, and the Australian Human Rights Commission, all of which provide channels for issues to be proactively raised.

AI specific measures

However, there are also a range of additional AI-specific obligations and guidance to support this intent including:

• Australia’s AI Ethics Principles designed to ensure AI is safe, secure and reliable
• Policy for the responsible use of AI in government strengthening the approach to safe and responsible AI through new measures on AI governance
• guidance for agency and staff to understand how to safely and responsibly engage with public generative AI tools
• privacy obligations, outlined in the Guidance on privacy and the use of commercially available AI products and Guidance on privacy and developing and training generative AI models
• the development of an Australian Government AI Impact Assessment Tool to provide a consistent framework for agencies to identify and consider AI risks and impacts in-line with Australia’s AI Ethics Principles
• the establishment of an AI Review Committee to review high risk uses of AI to ensure issues are considered appropriately
• guidance on AI procurement in government and AI contract clauses for responsible AI procurement
• agencies publishing and updating their AI transparency statements outlining their approach to AI adoption
• agency AI Accountable Officials who are accountable for their agency’s implementation of the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government
• the technical standard for government’s use of AI which provides practical guidance for technical specialists and business owners embedding AI in government systems
• the National AI Centre’s Guidance for AI Adoption which sets out 6 essential practices for responsible AI governance and adoption.

Keeping safeguards relevant and effective as the technology evolves

The technology is fast paced. To ensure that the guidance and mechanisms stay up to date there are a number of other pieces in place to support safe and responsible adoption of AI by the APS:

• The AI Delivery and Enablement unit within the Department of Finance will provide a means for considering the implications and assessing how or if the APS AI Plan might need to evolve or change.
• The Digital Transformation Agency will ensure that relevant safeguards continue to be relevant, effective and fit for purpose.
• Foundational training and resources will be provided to all public servants and available through the Australian Public Service Commission (APS Academy) to build capability to use AI responsibly and address gaps.
• By strengthening existing consultation frameworks, there will be meaningful avenues for input so staff are engaged and supported through ongoing change as we together build a more capable and future-ready public service.
• The GovAI ecosystem provides core AI technologies and capabilities that support secure, auditable AI across the APS.

Together, these provide a rigorous and adaptive framework to help ensure that the use of AI by the Australian Government is ethical, moral, legal and people-first. This will allow the government to take a proactive approach throughout AI implementation to give Australians confidence their data is protected. It shares the benefits of this new technology with all Australians.

The Government is also committed to adopting AI in line other commitments, such as the Working for Women Strategy and Closing the Gap targets.

(Please note that the Department of Defence and the National Intelligence Community are exempt from some of these elements but are expected to have their own equivalents in place.)

Downloadable resource

Appendix A: Plan deliverables

Trust

People

Tools