The Department of Finance, with the assistance of a Data Champions Network (DCN) working group led by the Australian Taxation Office, is developing a whole-of-government Data Ethics Framework to provide guidance for the APS on best practice for ethical considerations relating to public data use and provide advice on implementation across different major use cases and agency operations.
The Framework will identify next steps for extending beyond current data uses as new technologies emerge and are adopted. It will complement products applying to specific use areas, including the Government’s Interim guidance on generative AI for government agencies and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Adoption of a common data ethics framework across all APS agencies will help agencies safely and appropriately expand their use of data in new and innovative ways while building trust with the public that their data is being used in ethical ways.
The Framework is expected to be released by 2025-26.
