Australia’s New National AI Plan – Top 9 Highlights
The Australian Government has released the National Artificial Intelligence Plan 2025 on 2 December 2025, setting out a coordinated national approach to build capability, support industry adoption, uplift digital and artificial intelligence skills, and ensure safety and trust as AI becomes embedded across the economy.
ACS welcomes the government’s focus on national coordination and the opportunity to strengthen Australia’s technology workforce.
ACS CEO Josh Griggs said:
“ACS welcomes the National AI Plan and its focus on capturing AI opportunities, spreading benefits across the economy and workforce, and keeping Australians safe. However, there needs to be a greater focus on skills investment.”
Top 9 Highlights
1. Expanding Australia’s national artificial intelligence infrastructure
The government will significantly expand national artificial intelligence infrastructure through investment in high-performance compute capacity, new and upgraded data centres, improved National Broadband Network connectivity, and additional international submarine cables.
2. More than $460 million committed to building Australian artificial intelligence capability
Over $460 million in existing programs is directed toward artificial intelligence research, innovation and workforce development, including major grant programs and national skills initiatives.
3. A new Cooperative Research Centres ‘AI Accelerator’ funding round
A dedicated Cooperative Research Centres funding round will focus on accelerating the development and commercialisation of Australian artificial intelligence technologies through collaboration between industry and research organisations.
4. Strengthening Australia’s investment environment for artificial intelligence
The government will work with states and territories through the Investor Front Door and the Major Project Facilitation Agency to support large-scale domestic and international investment in artificial intelligence, including major data centre proposals.
5. National programs to help small and medium enterprises and not-for-profits adopt artificial intelligence
The National Artificial Intelligence Centre and the AI Adopt Program will provide guidance, templates, training and advisory services to help small and medium enterprises, First Nations organisations and not-for-profits adopt artificial intelligence safely and responsibly.
6. A coordinated national uplift in digital and artificial intelligence skills
Through initiatives such as the Future Skills Organisation’s AI Skills Accelerator, vocational education and training microcredentials, and postgraduate scholarship programs, the government will support a national uplift in digital capability and artificial intelligence skills across the education and training system.
7. Every Australian Public Service agency to appoint a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer
Under the artificial intelligence plan for the Australian Public Service, every government agency will nominate a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, adopt the GovAI platform, and train staff to use generative artificial intelligence tools safely and responsibly.
8. Establishing a national Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute
A new national Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute will provide safety testing, monitor emerging risks, support regulators and analyse both upstream model risks and downstream real-world harms.
9. National guidance on labelling and watermarking AI-generated content
The Being clear about AI-generated content guide recommends that organisations adopt transparency measures such as visible labelling, digital watermarking and metadata to signal when content has been created or altered using artificial intelligence.
How ACS members can get involved
As the National Artificial Intelligence Plan rolls out, ACS members can play a direct role by adopting responsible AI practices in their workplaces, contributing to national skills uplift through continuous learning, sharing real-world insights with the National Artificial Intelligence Centre, and supporting small and medium enterprises, not-for-profits and community organisations exploring artificial intelligence adoption. Members working with or alongside government can also help shape ethical public-sector implementation as agencies scale their use of AI. Staying connected through ACS events, training and advocacy opportunities will ensure members remain at the forefront of Australia’s transition to a safe, skilled and competitive AI-enabled future.
Read the National AI Plan here:
https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-plan#read-the-plan