The OECD sees Australia as a leader in managing digital investment

According to the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), an independent OECD review has affirmed the strength of Australia’s Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework and recognises the DTA’s work as a global example of best practice.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD’s) Digital Government in Australia: Enhancing Digital Investment review highlights the DTA’s Investment Oversight Framework (IOF) as a comprehensive, end-to-end approach to manage digital investments across government.

The framework brings together planning, prioritisation, assurance and benefits realisation across six integrated investment states. The OECD found it effectively supported better decision-making and improved risk management, and allowed for stronger alignment with whole-of-government digital priorities, stating that “the OEC … considers the Australian Government to perform as a leader amongst the OECD on the topic of digital government investments”.

“This review confirms the strength of our approach and provides us with a clear roadmap to keep evolving to deliver benefits for all people and businesses,” said Chris Fechner, CEO of the DTA.

“The IOF has been in place for three years, and we wanted to understand how well the framework is supporting digital investment across government,” Fechner added.

Australia’s broader international standing in digital government is recognised in the OECD’s report. It features case studies that highlight Australia as a leading example of whole-of-government digital investment governance practices. This includes the DTA’s Investment Oversight Framework, Benefits Management Policy, Digital Experience Policy and Buy ICT platform.

The OECD review also provided a set of short-, medium- and long-term recommendations to help mature and expand the IOF further.

Since its implementation, the IOF has supported over 300 digital and ICT proposals, including $2 billion in investment during the 2023–24 Budget cycle. Agencies are engaging earlier and more consistently with the framework, leading to clearer benefits definition, better delivery planning and stronger alignment with strategic digital priorities.

“We see this as a long-term investment in a smarter digital government,” Fechner said. “The IOF is already delivering value and, with continued agency collaboration combined with finding ways to continuously improve, it will only become stronger.”

The OECD findings reinforce Australia’s international standing in digital government and provide a valuable roadmap for evolving how we plan, prioritise and deliver digital investments across the public sector.

The full OECD review can be read here.

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