Technology

Promoting and protecting critical technologies

Our Critical Technologies Hub advises the government on critical technology opportunities, developments and risks.

Critical technologies are current and emerging technologies with the capacity to impact our national interest. This includes Australia’s:

national security
economic prosperity
social cohesion.

The critical technology priority fields are:

advanced manufacturing and materials technologies
artificial intelligence (AI) technologies
advanced information and communication technologies
quantum technologies
autonomous systems, robotics, positioning, timing and sensing
biotechnologies
clean energy generation and storage technologies.

Government actions to promote and protect critical technologies aim to:

give Australians access to cost-effective, safe, secure and inclusive technologies
promote Australia as a trusted partner for investment, research and innovation
support regional resilience and competitive, trusted and diverse technology innovation
enable Australian industries to thrive and maximise intellectual property (IP).

Critical Technologies Statement

The Critical Technologies Statement outlines how the Australian Government is supporting technologies that can impact our national interest.

Supporting critical technology development and adoption

We are supporting Australia’s critical technology industries and capabilities. These technologies are providing new opportunities to create jobs, drive economic growth and boost competitiveness.

Shaping global critical technologies standards

We are increasing Australia's influence on the design and use of international standards for critical technologies. This will help ensure that these products, services and systems are safe, consistent, trusted and reliable.

Find out about our work and programs to support industry develop critical technology standards.

Growing the cyber security industry and workforce

We are growing Australia's cyber security industry and workforce to strengthen our digital economy.

AUCyber Explorer

AUCyber Explorer provides detailed data on Australia's cyber security workforce, jobs and career pathways.

Questacon's cyber program

Questacon is increasing cyber security awareness and job readiness through engaging education programs.

AustCyber

AustCyber supports the development of a globally competitive cyber security sector. It is part of the Industry Growth Centres initiative that our department oversees.

Coordinating digital economy policy and regulations

The Digital Technology Taskforce coordinates whole-of-economy digital policy. This ensures we keep up to date on the changing digital landscape in our increasingly digital world.

The taskforce monitors developments in emerging technologies and the digital economy. This includes examining:

changes in the digital technology landscape
impact and uptake of high potential emerging technologies
digital adoption by small and medium enterprises
digital skills and inclusion
the role and use of data in the digital economy
international policy developments.

The taskforce helps inform the government’s digital economy policies and regulations.

Supporting responsible AI: discussion paper

Our discussion paper considered international approaches on governance and regulation of AI.

Building digital capabilities

These tools can help your business innovate with digital technologies.

Digital Readiness Assessment Tool

Self-assess your business's digital maturity.

Skill Finder

Find digital career pathways and courses.

Digital Directors Training Program

Learn about innovative technology leadership.

Open address data for better services

Geoscape's Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF) contains the details (including latitude and longitude) of every physical address in Australia. Updated datasets at August 2023 now available.