Australian Public Service AI Plan 2025: A New Milestone in Public Sector Digital Transformation
On November 12, 2025, the Australian Government unveiled an ambitious AI strategy. The 'Australian Public Service AI Plan 2025 (APS AI Plan 2025)' is a roadmap for the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence across federal public agencies. This plan goes beyond mere technology adoption, aiming to deliver better services for citizens.
๐ค Why an AI Plan Now?
Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher emphasized that this plan represents a crucial opportunity to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of public services. She particularly noted that providing AI tools is essential for attracting young talent, addressing the practical concern that new public servants might leave for other workplaces if they cannot use AI technologies.
This differs from traditional decade-long plans of the past. It aspires to be a 'living plan' that will be continuously updated to match the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
๐️ Three Core Pillars: Trust, People, Tools
The APS AI Plan is built around three core pillars.
1. Trust - Transparency and Ethical Governance
Trust is the most critical prerequisite for AI adoption. The Australian Government seeks to build trust through the following measures:
- Mandatory AI Registers: All agencies must record their AI use in internal registers and designate a responsible person for each use case.
- Establishment of AI Review Committees: Committees will be formed to oversee high-risk AI applications, providing non-binding recommendations for complex or sensitive AI deployments.
- Enhanced Vendor Accountability: Service providers must disclose their use of AI, and vendors remain accountable for outcomes regardless of whether AI tools are used.
2. People - Capability Building and Engagement
The second pillar ensures all public servants can use AI safely and effectively:
- Mandatory Training: All public servants will receive foundational training on how to use generative AI tools safely and responsibly via the APS Academy.
- Chief AI Officer Appointments: Each agency will appoint a Chief AI Officer to drive AI adoption and provide leadership.
- Dedicated AI Organization: A new AI Delivery and Enablement (AIDE) unit will be established to coordinate AI adoption across government.
3. Tools - Safe Technology Infrastructure
The third pillar focuses on building digital infrastructure for consistent and secure AI use:
๐ป GovAI Platform
As Australia's centralized AI hosting service:
- All data is securely stored within Australia and remains under government control.
- It meets the highest security standards (Protective Security Policy Framework).
- It provides access to models like OpenAI's GPT and offers model brokering.
๐ฌ GovAI Chat
Scheduled to pilot across the public service from April 2026:
- Provides modern generative AI capabilities while allowing the use of government data.
- Delivers fast, current, and auditable responses.
- Enables smaller agencies to safely experiment with AI tools.
๐ก️ Data Sovereignty and Cybersecurity
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The APS AI Plan treats data sovereignty as paramount. By ensuring GovAI operates within Australia and all data remains under government control, sensitive and PROTECTED-level information can be processed securely.
๐ค New Requirements for Contractors
Notably, clear expectations have been established for external service providers. The government will require all suppliers on the whole-of-government panels to disclose plans for AI use when delivering services, enhancing contractor transparency.
๐ Conclusion: A Practical and Evolving Approach
The APS AI Plan 2025 strikes a good balance between long-term vision and practical execution. The three pillars of trust, people, and tools demonstrate a human-centric rather than technology-centric approach.
This will serve as a valuable reference case for other countries considering AI adoption in the public sector. What matters now is execution. When the GovAI Chat pilot begins in April 2026, we will be able to observe how this ambitious plan actually works in practice.
For more information, visit digital.gov.au.
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