Official site updates coming
Starting January 1, 2025, Australian Government websites will be built to meet three new standards.
The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) Digital Experience Policy (DX Policy) is coming into effect, aiming to make government services more inclusive, easy to use, and reliable.
The new standards - Digital Inclusion, Digital Access, and Digital Performance - are designed to set clear expectations for how government websites and digital platforms should function for the people and businesses that rely on them.
One key focus is accessibility.
The Digital Inclusion Standard is meant to ensure that digital services are designed with all Australians in mind, particularly those who might face barriers due to age, ability, or technological know-how.
Another priority is reducing the complexity many users face when navigating government services.
The Digital Access Standard should tackle this by requiring agencies to consolidate and streamline access points, making it easier for users to find the services they need without frustration.
To ensure these improvements endure, the Digital Performance Standard focuses on measuring and improving the quality of services over time. This includes monitoring platforms to ensure they remain online, functional, and responsive to changing needs. Beyond setting expectations, the DTA has released a toolkit to support agencies and their delivery partners in meeting these requirements.
While mandatory for new services, the standards also encourage agencies to improve existing platforms, with some updates expected by July 2025.
Exemptions will be available in cases where legacy systems or financial constraints make full compliance impractical. Even so, agencies are expected to align as closely as possible.