Western Australia’s Office of Digital Government has launched a groundbreaking program to achieve universal digital inclusion across the state. This extensive initiative aims to close digital gaps by enhancing connectivity, ensuring affordability, offering digital skills training, and promoting inclusive design. The Department of the Premier and Cabinet leads initiatives that create a more digitally inclusive society. These initiatives influence various sectors, including education, public health, and economic development, while strengthening the essential digital infrastructure for a contemporary, data-driven government.
Improving government efficiency and services
The blueprint emphasises four essential areas: connectivity, affordability, skills, and design. Western Australia (WA) advances a digital inclusion model, showcasing a framework that inspires government initiatives across other states and territories through substantial investments and focused projects.
- Connectivity improvements: Expanding access in remote regions
Since 2021, the WA government, along with Commonwealth and industry partners, has committed $42.9 million to improve broadband access in remote areas like the Kimberley, Pilbara, and Goldfields-Esperance regions. In 2024, 55 new connectivity sites will operate, and an additional $29.8 million will support mobile and community-scale projects through 2026. This initiative tackles critical digital disparities.
“Reliable connectivity is fundamental to enabling regional businesses and educational institutions to participate in WA’s digital economy,” asserts the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Enhanced internet services enable a wide range of activities, including remote learning and telehealth, benefiting both residents and local economies.
- Affordability initiatives: Repurposing technology for the digitally disadvantaged
WA collaborates with charitable organisations to transform technology and tackle the cost barrier while ensuring everyone has affordable access to digital devices. The initiatives improve accessibility for low-income families and communities facing digital disadvantages; they are working to bridge the digital gap.
- Skills training: Building digital and stem competencies
The Department of Education leads the charge in promoting STEM and digital literacy in educational institutions. The Digital Technologies Challenge Program partners with industry to provide students with practical experience in data science and automation, preparing them for future careers in a technology-focused economy. Digital literacy courses without fees are now accessible at TAFEs across the state, reaching both urban and rural regions in 2024.
“Investing in digital skills at all educational levels is critical to the state’s future workforce,” highlights the Department of Education, which has teamed up with Telstra to significantly boost school internet bandwidth by up to 150-fold in certain instances, marking a transformative step for accessible digital education.
- Inclusive design: Ensuring equitable access to government services
WA.gov.au, a unified digital platform, has launched, providing access to all state services. The Office of Digital Government incorporated accessibility enhancements like autotranslation and text-to-speech functionalities. This platform earned recognition as a finalist in the Australian Access Awards for 2023, showcasing its commitment to making information accessible to everyone, regardless of language, literacy, or ability. The State Library of Western Australia’s Storylines Project develops a digital archive for Aboriginal communities, preserving and making essential cultural heritage materials accessible.
Advancing inclusive digital access
The Blueprint Implementation Program drives WA’s vision for a resilient, inclusive, and data-driven government. The Manage My Care app facilitates real-time appointment management for over 100,000 users, while telehealth expansions guarantee remote access to public health. This showcases WA’s dedication to utilising digital infrastructure for effective, transparent, and inclusive governance.
The Office of Digital Government reaffirms, “Through these interconnected projects, we’re building a digital foundation that not only brings citizens closer to government services but also strengthens the very infrastructure that powers WA’s public sector.”
The Blueprint Implementation Program serves as a key component of Western Australia’s strategy for digital transformation. The initiative enhances digital access, skills, and infrastructure, empowering citizens to access government services online, regardless of their location or situation. Enhancing digital literacy and connectivity allows for more efficient data collection and analysis, which improves decision-making. Digital platforms boost transparency and engage citizens in governmental processes. A society that embraces digital inclusion fosters an environment that drives innovation, enhances it, and creates public services.
The Blueprint Implementation Program in Western Australia shows the government’s commitment to achieving digital inclusion for everyone. The initiative enhances connectivity, affordability, skills development, and inclusive design, revolutionising the public sector and enabling all Western Australians to fully engage in the digital economy.