Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique
Date: 11 December 2025
The data system
Members discussed priorities for data reform, noting opportunities to make data sharing more cost‑effective, expand the publication of open data, sustain key platforms and assets, and better enable data‑informed AI. Members observed strong growth in data professions across the data system and the breadth of integrated data assets and projects.
Members agreed to progress data sharing (service delivery related, or for other high priority uses) use cases that may benefit from legislative change through established governance mechanisms and to bring proposals back to members for consideration.
Expanding access to integrated data assets for Australian Government use
Members discussed ongoing efforts to broaden access to integrated data assets beyond the research community. While significant progress has been made in enabling researchers to access high-quality government data, members noted that there is now a strong focus on making these assets more readily available to analysts supporting ministerial briefs and policy development. Members acknowledged that, at present, accessing these data assets often requires a high level of technical expertise, which can be a barrier for many potential users.
Leveraging data to support improved service delivery
Members discussed the current state of data sharing, opportunities for improved community outcomes when expanding data sharing across government and the need for legislative reform. Members also recognised the complexities of delivery of expanded data sharing post legislative reform, including technology and security of government data through data safeguards and protections to maintain public confidence and trust.
Update on the statutory review of the Data Availability and Transparency (DAT) Act
Members noted the update by Department of Finance regarding the statutory review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022.
Whole-of-government data capabilities
Members discussed three reports by the Chief Data Officer (CDO) Group on whole-of-government data platforms, business data, and geospatial data. This focused on investment principles and opportunities, cultural change and opportunities for improving coordination.
Grants modernisation
Members noted the Department of Finance is exploring pathways to modernise and improve Australian Government grants administration arrangements, seeking to improve user experience and enhance public service efficiency and productivity.
Members noted options to modernise grants administration in light of mixed audit outcomes from prior hub models and the need to prioritise user experience, data standards and integrity. Members discussed reducing the duplication of ICT systems, consolidating hubs on a single ICT platform with risk‑based routing, and lifting capability across agencies.
Governance of Indigenous Data (GID) implementation
Members noted the GID Year One Implementation Progress Report 2025 and agreed the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) will continue to provide annual progress reports to the SDDC through the DSDG. Members also agreed the supporting details proposed for the GID Implementation Year Three Outcomes.
Digital Maturity Assessment
Members reviewed the Digital Maturity Assessment approach and agreed it should operate as an internal capability improvement tool undertaken bi‑annually to promote collaboration and uplift.
Members endorsed the implementation of the Digital Maturity Assessment.
Setting priorities: draft 2026 SDDC forward work plan and discussion focus for 26 March 2026 meeting
Members endorsed the 2026 SDDC Forward Work Program.
Systems Abuse Work Plan 2026
Members noted the Systems Abuse Work Plan for 2026 was recently endorsed at the Secretaries Working Group on Gender-Based Violence. Members acknowledged work led by central agencies in partnership with digital delivery functions and agreed continued alignment with broader data‑sharing and service‑delivery reforms.
National agreement on Closing the Gap: progress on Priority Reform Four
Members noted the proposal for Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to develop an approach to improve access to and use of locally relevant data, supporting Priority Reform Four. This work will focus on practical, community-level initiatives to complement broader reforms under the new Data Policy Partnership and Governance of Indigenous Data Framework.
Integrated Digital Investment Plan
Members noted the 2025 iteration of the Integrated Digital Investment Plan (IDIP), which provides a holistic view of anticipated digital investments over the short, medium, and long-term, including its key insights and calls to action. Members acknowledged legacy risks and observed a trend towards larger, higher risk investments that should be carefully managed.
Data and Digital Professions annual update
Members noted the achievements of the digital and data professions in 2025, including the need for SDDC to continue supporting and advocating for whole-of-government strategies and initiatives to uplift digital and data workforce capability in the APS.
Members will encourage staff to engage with peers on the Members’ Community Platform (MCP) and explore learning opportunities via the MCP.
Release of third public report on digital projects (Major Digital Projects Report)
Members noted the update on the upcoming 2026 Major Digital Projects Report, which provides transparency on the delivery of significant digital initiatives across government. Members further noted the report will showcase key figures and case studies from the government’s digital project portfolio and highlight how these projects are delivering better services and benefits for Australians. A near-final version of the report will be shared with Digital Leadership Committee (DLC) members before the Christmas shutdown period, with feedback requested by 12 January 2026 ahead of publication in February 2026.
Other business
Members noted the availability of GovPlace as an optional replacement for Fortress, which is due to retire in 2026, for agencies seeking to access PROTECTED information who do not maintain their own PROTECTED environment.