The state and federal governments remain committed to a national digital ID system. 

Australia’s digital and data ministers say they will “actively explore” a national digital identity system, re-confirming previous commitments.

The Federal Government has already spent around $450 million preparing a digital identity system, but has also missed several deadlines for introducing legislation that would allow the system to be taken up in states, territories and the private sector.

At the latest meeting Australia’s digital and data ministers, all agreed to improve national data collection, reporting and sharing as well. 

Previous Data and Digital Ministers Meetings have discussed national digital identity as a way to streamline federated services and cross border credentials.

The ministers say they are now “actively exploring” the national system.

“Ministers agreed to actively explore adopting a national digital identity ecosystem. All governments are working closely to turn this commitment into tangible benefits for all Australians,” a communiqué, circulated by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, states.

“This whole-of-economy solution would deliver significant economic benefits for Australia and support Australia’s vision to be a leading digital economy and society by 2030.

“Ministers also noted the critical importance of interoperability and mutual recognition of digital credentials.”

A national system is expected to be based on the federal government’s whole-of-government digital identity program, the Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF), which has cost more than $450 million over the last six years but has not been rolled out widely because Commonwealth legislation has not been changed to allow it.

New legislation is needed for the scheme to be used in the private sector and state and territory governments, as well as creating privacy and consumer protections, permanent governance arrangements and a regulatory regime.

The Trusted Digital Identity Bill is yet to be made public, but states are moving ahead. New South Wales has set up a Digital Identity Ministerial Advisory Council (DIMAC) to advise on a strategic direction and roadmap for digital identity, while Western Australia has unveiled its own digital ID roadmap too.

The most recent meeting of digital ministers also included a review of the first National Data Sharing Work Program, which commenced in August 2021.

“The Work Program focussed on action taken to address national priority data sharing challenges (including for natural hazards and emergency management; waste management; and road safety) and reform of the Commonwealth, state and territory data sharing system,” the communiqué said.

“Ministers agreed a number of actions to improve design and delivery of the next National Data Sharing Work Program.”