The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) recognises the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and service delivery. In adopting AI technologies, PM&C is committed to upholding the highest transparency, risk management, and governance standards to ensure responsible and ethical use.
Our approach to AI transparency (Shared with 1 other agency)
- Accountability and Oversight —PM&C's AI systems are subject to robust governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with legal, ethical, and policy obligations.
- Explainability and Fairness —We use AI models that are interpretable, fair, and free from bias, with clear explanations available for decisions made using AI.
- Privacy and Security —Protecting personal data is paramount. AI applications comply with strict privacy and cybersecurity standards to safeguard sensitive information.
- Human Oversight and Decision-Making —AI assists, not replaces, human judgment. Critical decisions remain under human supervision, with mechanisms in place for review.
- Continuous Monitoring and Improvement —AI systems are assessed for performance, fairness and transparency.
PM&C adheres to Australia’s AI Ethics Principles , demonstrating our commitment to protecting privacy and security and to the Digital Information Agency’s Policy for the responsible use of AI in government. AI must be used in a manner consistent with the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles. (Template language)
In addition to Australia’s AI Ethics Principles, PM&C has adopted the following 6 AI principles:
- Only AI tools that are authorised for access and use within PM&C are to be deployed.
- Users must critically examine AI outputs and ensure they can justify their decisions. (Shared with 2 other agencies)
- AI input must not include or reveal classified, sensitive, or personal information. (Shared with 2 other agencies)
- AI must not be the final decision-maker on government advice and services. (Shared with 1 other agency)
- AI must be used in a manner consistent with the APS Values, Employment Principals and Code of Conduct. (Shared with 1 other agency)
- PM&C will not use AI in any way that members of the public may directly interact with, or be significantly impacted by, without a human intermediary or intervention.
PM&C provides guidance to staff, including training in AI government fundamentals, to help understand the compliance and governance arrangements and the requirement to adhere to both internal and external policies.
PM&C is dedicated to fostering public trust by ensuring AI-driven processes remain ethical, responsible, and aligned with the interests of the Australian Government while still being able to harness AI technologies.
This statement will be reviewed annually, when PM&C makes significant changes to our approach to AI, or when any new factor impacts this statement.
For further information on PM&C’s AI governance and transparency please contact Help-ITServiceDesk@pmc.gov.au. (Shared with 1 other agency)
Authorised by Justin Keefe
First Assistant Secretary
Digital Security and Workplace Operations Division
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Statement text © Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, reproduced for transparency tracking (most agency content is CC BY 4.0 — check the original for specifics).