Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique
Date: 25 September 2025
Supporting successful project delivery
Secretaries Digital and Data Committee (SDDC) members discussed the challenges and opportunities for supporting successful digital project delivery and managing government’s digital estate.
Members discussed the growing challenges of legacy systems and an expanding digital estate, noting rising software and labour costs and an increase in sustainment projects. They explored the value of system-wide solutions, including promoting reuse, and managing legacy debt, while also highlighting the increasing number of projects under assurance oversight.
Digital Investment Decisions
Secretaries noted findings from the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) analysis of digital investment decisions over the 2022–23 to 2025–26 Budgets.
Data and Digital Government Strategy Implementation Plan for 2025
Members requested minor changes to the Data and Digital Government Strategy Implementation Plan for 2025 and agreed to endorse the plan with changes out of session.
Government AI Landscape Update
The Committee noted the update on Australian Public Service (APS) Cloud capabilities and acknowledged the support being provided by the DTA to strengthen whole-of-government capability. The Committee endorsed the DTA’s draft Cloud Policy, which aims to drive cloud adoption across the APS.
January to June 2025 SDDC Performance Report
Members endorsed the SDDC performance report for the period 1 January – 30 June 2025.
SDDC Annual Terms of Reference Review
Members agreed to the updated Terms of Reference for the SDDC.
Subcommittee Performance Reporting January – June 2025: Digital Leadership Committee
Members endorsed the DLC performance report for the period 1 January – 30 June 2025.
Subcommittee Performance Reporting January – June 2025: Deputy Secretaries Data Group (DSDG)
Members endorsed the DSDG performance report for the period 1 January – 30 June 2025.