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AI regulation in Australia

Source-linked 3 instruments · 0 binding

Overview

Australia has no AI-specific statute. After the 2023 "Safe and responsible AI in Australia" consultation and the January 2024 interim response, the government published a Voluntary AI Safety Standard and a proposals paper for mandatory guardrails in high-risk settings in September 2024. In December 2025 the government released a National AI Plan indicating it would rely on strengthening existing laws rather than a standalone AI Act. Federal agencies are bound by the Digital Transformation Agency's policy for responsible use of AI in government. Binding obligations for business come from the Privacy Act 1988 (including 2024 amendments on automated decisions), consumer law, anti-discrimination law and sector regulation.

What is the current regulatory status?

No binding cross-sector AI law; mandatory guardrails were consulted on in 2024 but the December 2025 National AI Plan signalled an existing-law approach. Voluntary AI Safety Standard available. Government agencies follow a binding whole-of-government AI policy. A reviewer must confirm the current status of the mandatory-guardrails proposal.

Binding rules versus guidance

Binding: Privacy Act 1988 and Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (automated decision transparency provisions with delayed commencement), Australian Consumer Law, anti-discrimination Acts, sector rules (APRA, ASIC, TGA); the DTA AI policy for federal agencies. Guidance / voluntary: Voluntary AI Safety Standard, AI Ethics Principles, OAIC guidance on AI and privacy.

Key policy instruments

Australia Standard Voluntary standard

Australian Voluntary AI Safety Standard

Voluntary AI Safety Standard (Australia)

The Voluntary AI Safety Standard gives Australian organisations ten guardrails for developing and deploying AI safely and responsibly: accountability and governance, risk management, data governance and protection, testing and monitoring, human control and intervention, user transparency, contestability, supply-chain transparency, record keeping, and stakeholder engagement. The guardrails were designed to align with the mandatory guardrails proposed for high-risk settings so that early adopters would be prepared if those became law.

Adopted 5 Sep 2024 Source-linked Official source
Australia National strategy Adopted

National AI Plan

The National AI Plan is the Australian Government's whole-of-government AI strategy with three goals: capture the opportunity through infrastructure, domestic capability and investment; spread the benefits through adoption, skills and better public services; and keep Australians safe through legal and regulatory frameworks and responsible-practice guidance. It consolidates existing AI funding commitments and signals a sector-by-sector regulatory approach supported by an AI Safety Institute, rather than a standalone AI act.

Adopted 2 Dec 2025 Source-linked · checked 11 Sep 2026 Official source
Australia Consultation Under consultation

Australian mandatory guardrails proposal

Proposals paper: introducing mandatory guardrails for AI in high-risk settings (Australia)

The proposals paper sought views on ten mandatory guardrails for developers and deployers of AI in high-risk settings, a principles-based definition of high-risk AI (with general-purpose AI treated as high-risk), and three regulatory options: adapting existing laws, framework legislation, or a new cross-economy AI Act. The guardrails mirror the Voluntary AI Safety Standard, covering accountability, risk management, data governance, testing, human control, transparency, contestability, supply-chain transparency, records, and conformity assessment.

Source-linked Official source

Upcoming deadlines

No scheduled future dates recorded. Past milestones are listed on each policy page.

Current priorities

National AI Plan delivery, AI Safety Institute establishment, reform of the Privacy Act, guidance from the OAIC and eSafety Commissioner, and government AI assurance.

Latest changes

Applicable sectors, use cases and obligation areas

How to use this information

  1. Use the Voluntary AI Safety Standard's ten guardrails as the baseline expected by Australian regulators and buyers.
  2. Apply the Privacy Act, including the new automated-decision transparency provisions, to AI using personal information.
  3. If you supply the federal government, align with the DTA policy for responsible use of AI in government.

Official government and regulator sources

  1. Voluntary AI Safety Standard
    Department of Industry, Science and Resources · 2024-09-05 · Tier 1 source
  2. Safe and responsible AI in Australia — proposals paper for introducing mandatory guardrails for AI in high-risk settings
    Department of Industry, Science and Resources · 2024-09-05 · Tier 1 source
  3. Policy for the responsible use of AI in government
    Digital Transformation Agency · 2024-09-01 · Tier 1 source

Frequently asked questions

Does Australia have an AI Act?
No. Australia consulted on mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI in 2024, but the December 2025 National AI Plan indicated reliance on existing laws. A Voluntary AI Safety Standard is available and federal agencies follow a binding government AI policy.

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Informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult qualified counsel before acting.