National AI Plan
The National AI Plan is a whole-of-government framework designed to capture economic and social opportunities from artificial intelligence, spread benefits across the economy, and keep Australians safe. It outlines nine key actions addressing infrastructure investments, local AI capabilities, data center principles, workforce skills, public service delivery, and the establishment of an AI Safety Institute. Grounded in principles of fairness, inclusion, and opportunity, the plan coordinates actions across industry, unions, research, and government.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
This plan is for Australian government agencies, businesses, researchers, workers, and citizens seeking to understand the nation's strategic direction on artificial intelligence.
What the document contains
The document addresses national strategies for building smart digital and physical infrastructure, boosting local AI capability and investment, scaling AI adoption in small and medium enterprises, supporting workers with training, improving public service delivery through AI, and mitigating risks via an AI Safety Institute and strengthened regulatory oversight.
It does not provide a comprehensive new standalone AI regulatory act or exhaustive civil liability rules for private-party algorithmic harms, instead relying on existing sector-specific laws and future regulatory reviews.
- The National AI Plan is a whole-of-government framework anchored in capturing opportunities, spreading benefits, and keeping Australians safe.
- The government is backing domestic capability with more than $460 million in existing funding and establishing an AI Safety Institute.
- Infrastructure development, including high-performance compute and sustainable data centers, is prioritized to position Australia as an Indo-Pacific AI hub.
- The plan emphasizes inclusive AI adoption, workforce upskilling, and protecting workers' rights through consultation and collaboration with unions and business.
- Existing technology-neutral legal and regulatory frameworks are leveraged and continually adapted to mitigate harms such as bias, privacy breaches, and copyright infringements.
· Ministers’ foreword · Introduction · Our goals · Our National AI Plan on a page · Capture the opportunities · Spread the benefits · Keep Australians Safe · References
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
4/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
This includes ensuring that human decision makers remain accountable for key decisions made with the assistance of AI tools.
Action 6: Improve public services
screening score · 2026-10-24
Fairness
4/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
Further restrictions on ‘nudify’ apps and reforms to tackle algorithmic bias are also being considered.
Action 7: Mitigate harms
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Dignity
4/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
This plan reflects our enduring commitment to dignity at work, equality of opportunity and a future where technology strengthens communities.
Ministers’ foreword
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Oversight
4/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
With appropriate human oversight, AI can enhance the capabilities of government agencies and public servants and enable them to operate more efficiently.
Action 6: Improve public services
screening score · 2026-10-24
Privacy
4/5Protection of personal data and private life
Updating Australia’s privacy laws: the Attorney-General is leading work to develop a modernised and clear Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
Action 7: Mitigate harms
screening score · 2026-10-24
Transparency
4/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
The recommended transparency measures include labelling, watermarking, and metadata recording.
Action 8: Promote responsible practices
screening score · 2026-10-24
Enforcement
3/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
Existing regulators will continue to identify and manage harms and report any gaps in laws to the AISI.
Building on Actions 7–9: What’s next
screening score · 2026-10-24
Impact Assessment
4/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
The AISI will focus on both upstream AI risks and downstream AI harms. Upstream AI risks are the model capabilities and ways AI models and systems are built and trained that can create or amplify harm.
Action 7: Mitigate harms
screening score · 2026-10-24