Date:
8 June 2021
Author:
Phillipa Martin

Digital Economy Strategy 2030

Australia’s Digital Economy Strategy 2030External Link provides a roadmap to transform Australia into a world-leading digital economy and society by 2030.

Five key building blocks

The strategy identifies five key areas that will form the foundation for success. The areas are:

Digital infrastructure

Digital infrastructureExternal Link will help connect businesses and households. Focus areas for the future include expansion of the Regional Connectivity Program, the Peri-Urban Mobile Program (targeting areas on the outskirts of urban centres such as the Blue Mountains and Adelaide Hills), and the Measuring Broadband Australia program.

The goals by 2030:

  • Access to high speed internet for all Australians
  • Improvements in day-to-day life via data and tech integration

Cybersecurity, safety and trust

Cybersecurity, safety and trustExternal Link will ensure businesses and consumers are comfortable using technology. Focus areas for the future include addressing security risks associated with 5G and 6G technology, a National Data Security Action Plan to improve security across government, expansion of the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund, and three pilot cyber hubs so leading government agencies can provide cybersecurity services to smaller agencies.

The goal by 2030:

  • Improved cybersecurity practices across Australia

Skills and inclusion

Skills and inclusionExternal Link aims to improve the digital skills of all Australians. Focus areas for the future include the Digital Skills Cadetship Trial, the next National Skills Agreement to ensure governments across Australia are working together, 10,000 places in digital skills courses under the JobTrainer Fund, and $22.6 million towards emerging tech and AI graduate programs.

The goals by 2030:

  • Improved digital skills across Australia
  • More graduates with advanced digital skills
  • Improved consumer confidence using digital technology

Systems and regulation

Systems and regulationExternal Link will consist of rules and laws to drive digital innovation. Focus areas for the future include:

  • Accelerating e-invoicing
  • Expansion of Australia’s Consumer Data Right (CDR), an initiative close to our hearts — we built the CDR websiteExternal Link
  • A new Australian Data Strategy (due late this year)
  • Developing data inventories to help government departments manage their datasets
  • The Digital Atlas (based on the NationalMapExternal Link ) for data presentation and analysis

The goals by 2030:

  • Regulation across government systems, processes and legislation
  • Discoverable and reusable government datasets
  • Improvements in day-to-day life via data and tech integration

Trade and international engagement

Trade and international engagementExternal Link allows businesses and consumers to benefit from digital trade. Focus areas for the future include expanding existing relationships and programs, such as growing digitisation in the Indo-Pacific region and concentrating on emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI).

The goal by 2030:

  • Involvement in international digital standards that reflect our values

Emerging technologies

Emerging technologiesExternal Link are a key focal point of Australia’s Digital Economy Strategy 2030. The five key areas of emerging tech identified are:

  • AI
  • Internet of Things
  • Data Analytics
  • Blockchain
  • Quantum computing

Salsa Digital’s take

Australia’s Digital Economy Strategy 2030External Link provides a clear direction for Australia and Australian government departments. The Committee for Economic Development of AustraliaExternal Link ’s recent suggestion that Australia needs a Chief TechnologistExternal Link to support and drive this agenda is also an important consideration. A strong strategy with an experienced person driving that strategy will help realise the vision of Australia as a world-leading digital economy.