The Digital Transformation Agency has released its Corporate Plan for 2025-26, detailing the strategic approach it will adopt to lead digital transformation across the Australian Public Sector from 2025 to 2029, in line with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. The strategy highlights the government’s key focus areas: artificial intelligence, data governance, procurement, cybersecurity, and workforce development. The DTA plans to introduce an AI impact assessment tool in 2025-26. This tool will provide agencies with a standardised method to evaluate risks, benefits, and adherence to the AI Ethics Principles.
Chris Fechner, CEO of DTA, highlighted that the agency “establishes strong foundations so agencies can pursue AI opportunities safely and responsibly.”
The initiative strengthens the framework for overseeing digital and ICT investments by implementing Digital Investment Plans, which are recognised by the OECD as a standard of global excellence. The initiatives focus on buying processes, improving data systems, and building skills to break down data barriers, increase data sharing, and make sure digital services are delivered safely and responsibly.
Investments drive trust
The government uses the Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework to oversee the entire lifecycle of significant digital initiatives. The initiative sets benchmarks and governance frameworks to ensure investments align strategically and deliver measurable benefits for the Australian public. In July 2025, the DTA launched its first formal policy and guidebook for Digital Investment Plans, establishing a clear and consistent framework for agencies to develop proposals.
The plans boost accountability, reduce redundancy across portfolios, and align investment efforts with the goals of the Data and Digital Government Strategy. The OECD recognises the framework as the top global standard for integrated investment governance. In 2025-26, the DTA will enhance its influence by refining proposal metrics, broadening advisory roles, and collaborating more effectively with states and territories to ensure national consistency. The initiative enhances benefits management policies and strengthens the connections between project reporting, assurance, and funding oversight.
Procurement powers value
DTA transforms ICT procurement by allowing government agencies to obtain digital products and services that emphasise transparency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. The Corporate Plan for 2025-26 commits to consolidating panels to cut overlap and enhance efficiency. The statement highlights the need for independent review processes to boost accountability. This year, the Digital Marketplace Panel refreshes its framework, unveiling a new category focused on AI Engineering to enhance the responsible procurement of artificial intelligence capabilities.
The BuyICT platform will enhance its functionality, streamlining navigation for agencies and facilitating efficient purchases from authorised suppliers. In the 2024-25 timeframe, BuyICT secured over 2,500 contracts. Small and medium enterprises received a significant boost, showcasing the administration’s commitment to improving supplier diversity. The DTA plans to enhance its hardware and software marketplaces and streamline procurement processes between 2025 and 2026. This initiative allows agencies to swiftly adapt to technological changes, ensuring strong oversight and delivering value to the community.
Check out: “AI drives ethical data governance solutions”
Data secures value
The Corporate Plan 2025-26 highlights the Integrated Data Platform as a key component of DTA’s management of digital investments within the IOF framework. The platform consolidates data to improve reporting and assurance, offering a clear view of the investment lifecycle. The initiative relies on strong principles of data governance, guaranteeing record-level security and privacy protections as detailed in DTA’s data strategy. The initiative seeks to eliminate data silos by promoting the reuse of existing platforms and establishing common standards and enterprise architectures.
This approach will enhance data sharing and collaboration among agencies. Robust cybersecurity measures and secure cloud storage practices are essential because of the sensitive nature of shared data. A new governance framework introduces metrics to assess agencies’ performance in data collaboration and collection, ensuring compliance with privacy laws and protections. The DTA oversees how agencies manage data infrastructure, implementing oversight protocols to ensure accountability across government-wide digital systems.
Workforce powers transformation
The Corporate Plan 2025-26 acknowledges that the move towards digital transformation demands a workforce that possesses new skills and the capacity to adapt within the APS. The DTA has initiated a strategic workforce planning initiative for 2024-25. This effort emphasises organisational direction, identifies skill gaps, and forecasts necessary competencies by leveraging APS Employee Census data, recruitment trends, and the APS Job Family Framework.
This initiative establishes a foundational standard for the essential capabilities the agency needs now and in the future. The DTA plans to bring more essential functions in-house, focusing on communications, marketing, accounting, and finance. This action supports the APS Strategic Commissioning Framework and seeks to lessen dependence on external providers.
The DTA aims for at least 75 percent of its relevant digital investments to have established assurance plans by 2025-26. The organisation aims for 75 percent or higher in positive staff ratings in the APS Census for workgroups that possess the essential skills, knowledge, and capabilities to succeed. These measures ensure that capability growth is measurable, tangible, and seamlessly integrated into the agency’s operational framework.
Targets shape future
- 75% of relevant digital investments will establish assurance plans, enabling agencies to proactively manage risks from the start and enhance accountability in project execution.
- In the APS Employee Census, over 75% of employees will report that their workgroup possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, and capabilities. This highlights the success of workforce capability initiatives and reduces reliance on outsourcing.
- A 5% reduction in procurement panel duplication will streamline processes for agencies and suppliers, boost efficiency, and promote greater transparency in government contracting.
- Agencies will enhance data sharing, minimise silos, and ensure uniform implementation of privacy and security standards across digital government systems with the growth of the Integrated Data Platform.
The DTA’s Corporate Plan for 2025-26 sets clear strategic priorities to enhance digital government. It focuses on improving data governance, modernising procurement processes, and developing targeted workforce capabilities. Focusing on metrics such as reaching 75% assurance coverage for digital investments and obtaining 75% positive workforce capability ratings highlights a shift towards measurable outcomes that enhance accountability and effectiveness.
The Integrated Data Platform expands, showcasing a practical method to empower agencies. It aims to minimise data silos, enhance information security, and foster effective collaboration. The strategy sets the stage for a sustainable digital transformation, empowering the Australian Public Service to deliver secure and efficient services that build public trust.
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