Data Standards Advisory Committee meeting minutes – 26 May 2026

1. Chair Introduction

The Chair acknowledged the Traditional Custodians of the land on which members were meeting and paid respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 

The Chair welcomed members and noted that the meeting would focus on recent program developments and policy directions arising from Government decisions, as well as the implications for DSAC engagement going forward.

The Chair sought confirmation of the previous meeting minutes. Members indicated agreement and the minutes were affirmed without amendment.

The Chair noted that action items would be considered in the context of the substantive discussion, and no specific updates were provided at this stage.

2. Program priorities and policy developments

The Chair introduced discussion on recent budget announcements and invited Kym Malycha to outline CDR program priorities. It was noted that Government priorities for the CDR remain focused on reducing costs, increasing uptake, and expanding use cases. Additional funding has been allocated to support extension of the CDR for a further period. 

Members noted that a key initiative arising from the budget is the development of a business case focused on integrating government data into the CDR, specifically referencing ATO data. The work will assess both technical and legislative feasibility. 

Discussion highlighted that this initiative would involve significant stakeholder engagement, coordinated by the Treasury. It was emphasised that substantial policy and feasibility work was required before there would be any consideration of standards changes. 

In response to questions from members, it was noted that the business case for ATO data integration is expected to be developed over the course of the next year. The Chair emphasised the importance of timely and constructive industry engagement as this work progresses, noting the need for input across multiple disciplines.

The Chair invited Matt Sedgwick to provide an overview of budget outcomes for the Digital ID program. Members noted that the program has received permanent funding to support the ongoing operation and enhancement of the Digital ID system. This includes a shift towards longer-term workforce planning and embedding of capability. 

Members noted five priority areas for the program: expansion of the government system, increasing accredited entities, supporting private sector adoption, exploring verifiable credentials, and strengthening engagement with states and territories.

Discussion highlighted key technical enhancements to MyID, including the introduction of passkeys, integration of state and territory biometric data, and real-time biometric verification, aimed at strengthening identity assurance and reducing fraud risks. It was noted that Services Australia has received additional funding to support its role as system administrator, particularly in enabling expansion to the private sector.

Members further observed that funding allocations reflect a shift away from communications towards system capability and consumer protection, with an emphasis on building trust through demonstrated functionality and use cases. This shift is expected to result in reduced standards activity in the near term.

The DSB emphasised that both the priorities outlined for the Digital ID and CDR programs require significant early-stage policy and technical work prior to the development of standards. Discussion reinforced that early engagement across policy, technical and operational domains is essential to inform subsequent regulatory settings, including standards.

3 Standards development reform consultation

DSB staff updated members on the consultation on reforms to the standards development process. Members noted that the consultation paper was released on 30th April and that submissions were due by Friday 29th May 2026. The paper reflects prior targeted consultation with DSAC and partner agencies that took place in January and February. 

Initial feedback indicates support for strengthening the articulation of CDR and Digital ID standards’ public purpose, increasing focus on interoperability and harmonisation, and enhancing the treatment of benefits within cost-benefit analysis. It was noted that further submissions are expected ahead of the closing date, after which the DSB will review feedback, publish a summary of responses, and incorporate agreed reforms into the standards process.

4. Future of DSAC engagement

The Chair noted that, given the need for broader policy engagement and consultation for both CDR and Digital ID in line with the current priorities outlined during the meeting, and the limited pipeline of standards work in the near term, there would be a transition away from the current format of DSAC with the annual review currently being undertaken of the Committee.  

The Chair proposed reconstituting the formal DSAC in line with the Chair’s statutory obligations to consult with respect to proposed changes to standards, taking into account the results of the consultation on reforms to the standards development process. In addition, the Chair proposed that the current DSAC members be invited to join an informal panel of experts from which expertise could be drawn to participate in broader, ad hoc discussions. This would enable more flexible engagement by participants on policy and strategic issues beyond prospective changes to standards. 

It was noted that this approach is intended to better utilise the experience and expertise of members, allow earlier engagement on issues prior to standards development, and avoid limiting contributions to constraints associated with the statutory role of DSAC. Members broadly supported the intention to enable more flexible and timely engagement. 

However, several observations were made regarding the implications of the transition. Members highlighted the value of DSAC as a forum for cross-sector discussion and information sharing, including the benefits of bringing together perspectives across CDR and Digital ID. Also, some Members expressed significant concern about DSAC losing a broader mandate and that the loss of a formal structure may reduce opportunities for consistent engagement, clarity of expectations, and the ability to contribute to broader policy discussions. 

The Chair acknowledged these views, noting that the intention of the revised model is to enable broader contribution outside the constraints of DSAC and Chair’s statutory obligations, rather than to reduce engagement. 

The Chair highlighted that neither the Chair nor DSAC has a formal mandate in relation to policy development, and that policy consultation is led by Treasury and the Department of Finance, for the CDR and Digital ID programs, respectively. It was also noted that existing policy consultation processes led by Treasury and Finance would continue to provide formal and informal channels for stakeholder input, including the use of the informal list of subject matter experts that would be formed. It was emphasised that the proposed ad hoc engagement model is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing policy consultation processes, and to provide an additional pathway for expert input where appropriate.

Members noted that organisations rely on forward visibility of policy and rule-setting priorities to inform resource allocation and planning. This was also acknowledged by the Chair.

5. Other Business

The Chair noted the potential for emerging work on a strategic forward-looking exercise in collaboration with the ACCC, to support future policy thinking on long-term development of the CDR ecosystem. 

This work is expected to draw on expert input and is outside the formal scope of DSAC.

4. Closing and next steps

The Chair expressed his deep thanks to members for their voluntary contributions and acknowledged the value of their expertise in informing both current and future work. Members were advised that opportunities for input would continue through informal engagement, and that further invitations would be issued as relevant matters arise. 

The meeting closed with appreciation for members’ participation, time, and continued support.