Source of Law / Policy · Gov AI Policy stream
Policy for Responsible Use of AI in Gov v2.0
Owner: DTA · Policy (Commonwealth)
IN FORCEUpdated 2 Sept 2026
Version 2.0 of the Policy for the Responsible Use of AI in Government took effect 15 December 2025, replacing v1.1 (1 September 2024), and remains the current version as at September 2026. It applies to all non-corporate Commonwealth entities — with carve-outs for the Defence portfolio and the national intelligence community — and sets requirements across AI strategy, oversight, preparedness, operations and impact assessment.
Key obligations
- Designate an Accountable Official for AI within the agency.
- Publish and maintain an AI strategy and a public AI transparency statement.
- Maintain an internal AI use-case catalogue with risk classification.
- Complete an AI Impact Assessment for each new or materially changed AI use case before deployment.
- Provide AI fundamentals training to staff working with AI systems.
- Apply the Commonwealth AI model procurement clauses (published March 2025) when buying AI-enabled products or services.
Key dates
- 1 Sep 2024v1.1 in force.
- 17 Mar 2025AI model procurement clauses published for Commonwealth buyers.
- 15 Dec 2025v2.0 in force — adds the impact assessment tool and procurement guidance.
- CurrentNo superseding version issued as at September 2026.
Who is affected
- All non-corporate Commonwealth entities, except the Defence portfolio and the national intelligence community.
- Suppliers and contractors to Commonwealth agencies — flow-down via the model procurement clauses and tender questions.
- Corporate Commonwealth entities and state/territory agencies are encouraged, not required, to adopt the same baseline.