DTA announces spots open for SMEs at the 2026 AI Government Showcase

The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) is inviting Australian small and medium enterprises to submit expressions of interest to exhibit at the AI Government Showcase 2026. Taking place on 11 November in Canberra, the event focuses on practical AI use cases that build APS capability and spotlight local AI innovators.

AI Government Showcase 2026 will bring together Australian Public Service (APS) leaders, policymakers, digital and data specialists, procurement professionals and industry experts to explore the practical implementation of artificial intelligence across government.

Exploring the theme of Adoption in Action, the event will be focusing on moving from AI adoption to practical implementation.

This is an opportunity to be part of a day packed with real-world case studies, lessons learned, and expert discussion. Attendees will explore approaches that support the safe, responsible and effective implementation of the APS AI Plan.

The DTA is seeking expressions of interest from Australian SMEs that offer AI products, services and enabling capabilities relevant to government. This includes businesses working in artificial intelligence, data and machine learning, automation, GovTech, assurance, cybersecurity, integration and workforce tools.

Expressions of interest close 5:00 pm AEST on Friday, 11 September 2026, and successful applicants will be notified by Friday, 25 September 2026. Places are limited.

Why participate?

The Showcase provides SMEs with an opportunity to demonstrate practical capabilities to public sector decision-makers and to better understand government priorities, challenges and emerging use cases. The event is designed to strengthen SME participation, support collaboration between industry and government, and create pathways for future procurement engagement.

Last year’s event saw a blend of exhibition booths with concurrent shortform presentations, and featured main-stage content.

The 2025 program featured 30 exhibitors, 49 shortform presentations, and eight featured presentations, with more than 600 attendees evenly spread across industry expertise and public sector.

Eligibility requirements

To be considered, an organisation must:

• qualify as a small or medium enterprise
• be at least 50% Australian-owned
• offer AI products or services, or enabling capabilities such as data, assurance, cybersecurity, integration or workforce tools, that are relevant to government
• demonstrate capability and readiness to engage with government audiences.
   

Applicants will be asked to provide information about their business, Australian ownership, AI offering, relevant experience and the opportunity their product or service presents for government.

The EOI also asks whether the offering can be demonstrated, whether the business has worked with or sold to government, and the business’s preferred form of participation with options for exhibiting in a booth or speaking in the agenda.

How applications will be assessed

Submitting an EOI does not guarantee selection. Where demand exceeds available capacity, applications will be assessed against criteria including: relevance to government, demonstrated capability, exhibitor readiness and contribution to a balanced Showcase program.

An EOI can be submitted at the SME Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission page, or to find out more about the Showcase, click here.

For enquiries about exhibiting, sponsorship or participation, contact aishowcase@dta.gov.au.

Image credit: iStock.com/Anchiy