Government use of automated AI decision-making to be curbed under new Australian rules

Government use of automated AI decision-making is set to be curbed under new Australian rules, as the Albanese government drafts a national plan focused on safety within public-sector AI systems. The framework is expected to extend beyond internal government services to consumer protections, workplace safety, and privacy. Senior ministers are working to embed fairness, accuracy, and transparency into AI processes used by federal departments and agencies, where automated decision-making already plays a role in some service delivery. The plan follows concerns highlighted by the earlier illegal robodebt scheme, while ministers say AI is changing how data is used across the economy. Labor said Attorney-General Michelle Rowland will lead the rules, alongside work on a “digital duty of care” that places responsibility on AI companies to build safety features and address potential harm. A second privacy-law reform round is planned, and workplace AI safety is included in a new work plan. Data center standards are also expected to be legislated from next year, with Australia already having more than 200 facilities consuming electricity equivalent to about 2% of the grid.