Notice
The Digital Inclusion Standard is being introduced with a transitional approach applied. The Standard is mandatory and applies to new public and staff facing services from 01 January 2025 and existing public facing services from 01 January 2026. Non-corporate Commonwealth entities that meet the criteria will need to design for inclusive and accessible services as part of their proposals.
The Digital Inclusion Standard establishes the approach to ensure that all users of government services are considered, taking into account their diverse needs. By designing digital services that are inclusive, the interaction between government and the public through digital channels will be enhanced and no users will be left behind.
The Digital Inclusion Standard defines 5 criteria to ensure digital services are inclusive and accessible:
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Criterion 1 – Embrace diversity
Design for diverse needs from the outset, exercising co-design, and applying cohort specific considerations.
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Criterion 2 – Motivate digital use
understand the motivations of your audience, communicate the benefits of adopting a digital channel, and ensure that said channel is easy to use.
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Criterion 3 – Protect users
establish and maintain a safe digital environment that counters scams and misinformation, and provides transparency, and a feedback mechanism.
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Criterion 4 – Make it accessible
comply with all current legislation and standards relating to accessibility and ensure from the outset that your service is accessible.
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Criterion 5 – Provide flexibility and choice
create seamless experiences between service delivery channels and provide flexibility and choice for how users engage with digital services.
The Data and Digital Government Strategy sets a 2030 vision for the Australian Government to deliver simple, secure, and connected public services, for all people and business, through world class data and digital capabilities. The Standard supports this vision by ensuring NCEs consider the diverse needs of their users, and design for them from the outset.
Find out how to meet the Digital Inclusion Standard.