Modernisation agenda
The ABS has a long history of modernising and adapting as society, data and technology change. We have made significant progress in modernising how we collect, manage and share data and we will continue this momentum in the years ahead. The pace of technological change, the growth of new data sources and rising expectations for secure, accessible digital services mean that continued modernisation is essential to our long-term success.
Our role in the national data ecosystem has also grown. The ABS now plays a central role in supporting how data is sourced, integrated, governed and shared across government. We contribute to national data governance frameworks, such as the Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data and support the responsible use of data to inform policy, research and service delivery. This broader role reflects both our expertise and the increasing importance of quality data in national decision-making.
Modernisation is entwined with our core business. We continue to refine our methods, invest in workforce capability, improve how we engage with clients and users, and upgrade our technology platforms to support high-quality outcomes. The ABS uses our 10-year digital investment plan, along with reusing capabilities that have been built through our modernisation programs to guide where we invest and innovate and informed by what we have learnt from our modernisation efforts. This approach supports consistent decision-making and enables us to plan and work together effectively across the organisation.
The improvements we are making strengthen the foundations that support our three key activities and ensure we can deliver our purpose. Through our modernisation agenda, we will continue to evolve as a modern national statistical office - one that is innovative, secure, client-centred and equipped to deliver the data and insights Australia needs.
The key part of this work is a long-term (10-year) digital investment plan that supports the progressive replacement of ageing systems, strengthens cyber security, and delivers modern, reusable platforms for data acquisition, processing and dissemination. This includes improving customer experience across ABS products and services, supporting staff to work effectively in modern digital and cloud-based environments, and transitioning from manual, legacy systems and processes to secure and scalable cloud-based solutions. This approach aligns with Australian Government expectations to deliver simple, secure and connected public services.
Modernisation also ensures the ABS is ready to responsibly adopt emerging technologies, including AI, as they mature. By strengthening our foundations, we position the organisation to use new tools at scale to improve efficiency and insight while maintaining transparency, privacy and public trust.
Work is underway for the next phase of modernisation, making significant reuse of what has already been delivered, along with the use of AI to drive modernisation efficiency. We will deliver widespread migration of our statistical collections to efficient, secure tools in the cloud. The ABS is also working to implement recently agreed updates to international classifications and standards that will enable us to measure the modern economy, including how it is impacted by AI, and the value of data and digital industries. This will close crucial information gaps for policymakers and maintain statistical comparability with comparable countries.