Record STMT-WD5F523Soft law

Keep Australians safe

Strategy State lawOceania · AUin force

This document outlines Australia's national regulatory and strategic approach to managing artificial intelligence, focusing on mitigating risks, protecting rights, and establishing an AI Safety Institute. It details actions to address harms, promote responsible AI practices in businesses and government, and partner on international norms and global governance. The approach builds on existing technology-neutral legal frameworks while targeting specific emerging AI challenges.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Department of Industry, Science and ResourcesGovernment

Lead issuer

Legal forceSoft law

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

General publicNational governmentCompaniesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersResearchers and academics

This document is for Australian businesses, policymakers, regulators, researchers, and the public interested in the government's approach to AI safety and regulation.

Sectors

Cross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers Australia's strategic plan for AI governance, focusing on mitigating AI harms across various sectors, establishing an AI Safety Institute, promoting responsible business adoption and transparency, and engaging in international AI safety norms.

What's missing

It does not provide a comprehensive new standalone AI statute or statutory text, but rather outlines a policy framework relying on existing laws and planned reviews.

Key takeaways

The Australian government is establishing an AI Safety Institute (AISI) to monitor, test, and share information on emerging AI capabilities and risks.
Australia relies primarily on robust, technology-neutral existing legal frameworks and sector-specific regulators to address AI harms.
The strategy emphasizes targeted actions regarding consumer protections, online safety, copyright, healthcare regulation, privacy, and national security.
Businesses are encouraged to adopt responsible AI practices through guidance on transparency, watermarking, labelling, and metadata recording.
Australia actively participates in international partnerships and global governance frameworks to align domestic approaches with global standards.

Principles it states

Responsible, accountable, and fair operation of AI systemsProactive approach to harms as they emergeProportionate, targeted, and risk-based protections

Outline

· Action 7: Mitigate harms
· Action on AI risks and harms
· Responding to AI harms
· Keeping Australians safe: The mission of the AI Safety Institute
· Action 8: Promote responsible practices
· Support for responsible AI adoption
· Being clear about AI-generated content: Guidance from the National AI Centre
· Simplifying responsible innovation
· Action 9: Partner on global norms
· Australia as an international AI leader and partner
· Australia’s role in promoting AI safety
· Australia’s leadership on AI in the region
· Building on Actions 7–9: What’s next

IssuedNot recorded

Length3,213 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Every organisation developing and using AI is responsible for identifying and responding to AI harms and upholding best practice.

National AI Plan

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

The Institute will support existing regulators with independent advice to ensure AI companies are compliant with Australian law and uphold legal standards around fairness and transparency.

National AI Plan

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

3/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

By applying fit-for-purpose legislation, strengthening oversight and addressing national security, privacy and copyright concerns, we will work to keep the operation of AI systems responsible, accountable, and fair.

National AI Plan

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

3/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

The Policy for the Responsible Use of AI in Government ( Digital Transformation Agency 2025 ) promotes transparency, accountability and oversight, positioning government as a leader in ethical AI adoption.

Support for responsible AI adoption

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Updating Australia’s privacy laws : the Attorney-General is leading work to develop a modernised and clear Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

Action on AI risks and harms

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

The recommended transparency measures include labelling, watermarking, and metadata recording.

Support for responsible AI adoption

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

4/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

The government addresses AI-related risks through enforceable industry codes under the Online Safety Act 2021 and by criminalising non-consensual deepfake material.

Action 7: Mitigate harms

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

Agencies and regulators will retain responsibility for identifying, assessing, and addressing potential AI-related harms within their respective policy and regulatory domains.

National AI Plan

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

ai_safety regulation risk_management consumer_protection international_cooperation