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The Data and Digital Strategy’s sets out a 2030 vision to ‘deliver simple, secure and connected public services, for all people and business, through world class data and digital capabilities.’

Underpinning this vision, is Strategy mission Delivering for all people and business. This is achieved through embedding co-design principles in service design, maximising digital inclusion and accessibility, strengthening partnerships across the APS and society, as well as maximising value from data holdings. These outcomes will help deliver better policy and service delivery for all Australians.

The 2024 Implementation Plan shows that making this possible doesn’t just involve the major service delivery agencies, it’s a collective effort that involves agencies from across government.

Let’s take a look at some standout initiatives from across the APS that are harnessing data and digital technologies to improve the lives of Australians.

Digital inclusion and data governance for First Nations people and communities

The Government is creating a digital portfolio that will support connectivity, digital literacy, and service design, and data sharing to address the digital divide, especially for those living in regional and remote communities, and further progress on the Government’s Closing the Gap commitments.

Released in 2024, the DTA’s Digital Experience Policy (DX Policy) now includes a mandatory Digital Inclusion Standard, Digital Access Standard, and Digital Performance Standard alongside the existing Digital Service Standard. These 4 Standards ensure that government’s digital services are always accessible, available, and designed for inclusion.

In addition, the 2024 Implementation Plan highlighted the strides made across the Australian Public Service (APS) to deliver the Strategy’s inclusion and accessibility outcomes.

Target 17 of the �Թ���վ Agreement in Closing the Gap makes the commitment that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will have equal levels of digital inclusion by 2026.

To meet Target 17 the Government is rolling out a First Nations Digital Support Hub, working with First Nations people and communities. This initiative will support digital ability and connectivity literacy – two key areas impacting digital inclusion.

‘The Digital Support Hub will be delivered through a network of digital mentors,’ explains Lucy Poole, General Manager of Strategy, Planning and Performance.

‘These digital mentors will pass on their skills to First Nations communities, to help community members get online and use their digital skills.’

Digital mentors will also be equipped to help community members with online scam awareness and accessing digital government services, including myGov and Digital ID. Community connections like this are often the most valuable point of intervention for people experiencing digital exclusion.

The Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data is another key initiative impacting First Nations people and communities’ experience with data and digital government.

‘Data is a key lever in self-determination,’ continues Ms Poole. ‘To ensure fairness and maximise outcomes, First Nations people and communities need to be provided greater agency over how their data is governed.’

The Framework offers practical guidance to agencies to build data projects in partnership with First Nations communities and guides agencies to grow their data capabilities, share information about data assets, and build inclusive data systems.

Leveraging data to maximise our health outcomes

Data held by the Australian Government is a valuable national asset. When government-held data is made accessible to the right people, it can drive research, shape policy analysis, and lead to better outcomes for all people and business.

The 2024 Implementation Plan outlines how Government is promoting outcomes-based data analysis and sharing to improve real-world health outcomes for Australians.

‘Enhancing partnerships between the Government, industry, academia, and the States and Territories will allow the Government to use data in innovative ways to benefit all Australians,’ outlined Ms Poole.

The Department of Health and Aged Care is collaborating with government partners and research institutions using the Australian Immunisation Register – Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) environment to transform data into policy insights and support health outcomes.

‘The Government will develop, strengthen and align the frameworks and tools needed to improve partnerships and promote collaborative problem solving,’ highlights Ms Poole.

PLIDA, which works across federal and state governments, as well as academic and private institutions, is a standout example of this type of productive collaboration.

To reduce duplication and delays in health and medical research approvals, the �Թ���վ One Stop Shop consolidates digital access for citizen-facing services into a secure, scalable and reliable centralised national platform. This is achieved through co-design with state and territory governments enabling more effective administration of research approvals and greater visibility over government research investments.

Conclusion

Data sharing, digital inclusion, and making online services accessible are inherent to the goal of delivering services to all people and business. Highlighting and acknowledging the diversity of key audiences and users through collaboration underpin the initiatives highlighted above.

Strong partnerships – between different people, agencies, governments and sectors – are key to the outcomes of this mission.

The 2024 Implementation Plan demonstrates how agencies across Government are working together to deliver on the Strategy’s 2030 vision, to create world-class data and digital solutions, for all people and business.

Read the full 2024 update to the Data and Digital Government Strategy’s Implementation Plan and mission Delivering for all people and business.