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Automated decision-making: better practice guide

Direct link: ombudsman.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/288236/OMB1188-Automated-Decision-Making-Report_Final-A1898885.pdf
Responsible agency: Commonwealth Ombudsman
Last updated: 4 March 2020

Technological advances have made it easier for agencies to make automated decisions. However, it is well recognised that automated systems have the potential to significantly impact the rights and privacy of individuals. Agencies need to find a balance between innovation and ensuring automation is used only where appropriate.

The key message for agencies is that the customer must be at the centre of service delivery. 

This guide is intended to be a practical tool for agencies and includes a checklist designed to assist managers and project officers during the design and implementation of new automated systems and with ongoing assurance processes once a system is operational.

The structure of this guide reflects the areas that require particular care when developing and managing automated systems including:

  1. guiding principles for assessing the suitability of automated systems
  2. ensuring compliance with administrative law requirements
  3. ensuring the design of an automated system complies with privacy requirements
  4. establishing appropriate governance of automated systems projects
  5. developing quality assurance processes to maintain continued accuracy
  6. ensuring the transparency and accountability of the system and its accompanying processes.

The principles in the guide apply whether an agency is building an automated system in-house or has contracted with an external provider to build the system.

Apply the standard

Commonwealth entities are encouraged to apply this standard to all digital investments involving automated decision-making solutions.

Access the Standard 

The ombudsman.gov.au website hosts the Commonwealth Ombudsman - automated decision-making better practice guide (full text).

Capabilities

This design is part of the following capability.
CAP57

Business process and workflow

Policies

This design can be relevant to meeting the requirements of the following policies.
POL33

Business Process and Workflow policy

Standards

This design can be useful in achieving the intent of the following standard(s).
Business process and workflow solutions consolidate one or more business processes, use workflow management or allow the consistent definition and application of rules to make transactions user-centric from beginning to end. They support commonly used functionality needed by government to manage…
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