Federal and SA govts to collaborate on digital identity

The federal and South Australian governments have agreed to collaborate on the development of Australia’s digital identity program.

A collaboration agreement has been reached between Federal Minister for Human Services and Digital Transformation Michael Keenan and South Australian Premier Steven Marshall at the second Australian Digital Council meeting.

With the agreement, South Australia has become the first state to agree to work with the Commonwealth on digital identity.

Keenan said the agreement represents an important step towards developing a nationally consistent identity system.

“The Commonwealth is already well advanced with the development of its own digital identity solution, known as myGovID, which is the equivalent of [a] 100-point online ID check that will make it easier for Australians to prove who they are when accessing our digital services,” he said.

“The agreement reached with Premier Marshall today will enable us to share our technology and our research with South Australia to help it accelerate its own program and ensure we develop nationally consistent systems.”

It is envisioned that South Australians will eventually be able to choose whether to use the federal or state identity management system, with both working seamlessly across Commonwealth and state services.

Also at the meeting, the Commonwealth, South Australian and NSW governments committed to progressing a pilot program involving investigating ways to improve data sharing between jurisdictions. Other governments will be given the option to opt in as the project develops.

Image credit: ©Serg Nvns/Dollar Photo Club

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