The Federal Government has unveiled its National AI Plan, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate Australia’s development, adoption and safe use of artificial intelligence across the economy.
Launched in partnership with the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Tim Ayres, the plan aims to ensure all Australians can share in the benefits of emerging technologies while strengthening oversight of potential risks.
Centred around three core goals, the plan seeks to capture opportunities from AI, spread its benefits widely, and keep Australians safe as capabilities evolve. This includes attracting long-term investment in Australia’s digital and physical infrastructure, supporting domestic AI expertise, and positioning the nation as a competitive destination for global AI investment. A key component is a $29.9 million commitment to establish an AI Safety Institute in early 2026, tasked with monitoring, testing and sharing insights on fast-moving developments in AI and associated risks.
The plan places strong emphasis on skills. The Future Skills Organisation is developing new digital and AI units across Australian Qualifications Framework levels to help workers build the capabilities needed to design, deploy and manage AI systems. Government, industry, workers and unions will collaborate to ensure AI adoption is transparent, responsible and directed toward improving services, productivity and job quality.
As part of the Government’s broader Future Made in Australia agenda, the plan aims to support local innovation and commercialisation. A new ‘AI Accelerator’ funding round through the Cooperative Research Centres program will help turn research and early-stage ideas into real-world solutions created in Australia.
Minister Ayres says the plan is designed to ensure technology “serves Australians, not the other way around”, while Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton emphasises its focus on fairness, opportunity and safeguarding communities.
“This is a plan that puts Australians first. We are making sure Australians can benefit from this transformative technology,” says Minister Charlton.
“The Government is setting out an agenda that will attract positive investment, support Australian businesses to adopt and create new AI tools, and address the real risks faced by everyday Australians.”
