The Australian Government is responsive and open to the development of the ICT industry. It oversees a strong and expanding economy and a thriving business environment that provides a solid platform for direct investment.

To foster an innovative culture, the Australian Government has assisted in the creation of major national research facilities and provides a range of programs to encourage industry development and investment in Australia, including support for research and development (R&D), innovation and export activities.

It has also put in place a number of policy initiatives that contribute to a strong ICT sector. These include:

• An e-Government strategy, Responsive Government: A New Service Agenda, which outlines how the Australian Government will meet the challenge of harnessing ICT to achieve better service delivery, while at the same time improving efficiency and reducing costs.
• An authentication framework which aims to enable e-government by providing confidence in online transactions with government. Authentication is an important component of e-government and operates as part of an overall plan for both online activities and general security.
• World-leading initiatives to combat Internet scams and spam and unsolicited telemarketing phone calls through a Do Not Call Register.

The Australian Government has also taken a leadership position in applying ICT to its some of its own business requirements. These include:

• The plan to combine 17 different cards into a single smart card, which will be used by Australians to access a range of Australian Government health benefits, veterans' and social services. The Australian Government is introducing legislation aimed at allaying public concerns with regard privacy issues.
• Developing a guide for adoption of open source software, allowing government agencies to make informed decisions that best suit their IT needs and get value for money.
• Developing biometric passport technology, and being one of the first countries to introduce an ePassport.
• Developing a range of e-Health initiatives to help deliver safer, more efficient and better quality health services.

The Australian Government is continuing to promote government e-procurement as a means to increase the uptake by suppliers and to increase efficiencies in government services. AusTender is a secure electronic tendering facility for agencies and their suppliers. It provides a central publishing facility for the Australian Government's business opportunities, automatic notification to suppliers of these opportunities, tender documentation download and secure lodgement of tender responses.

The Department of Finance and Administration has developed a guide on how to sell to the Australian Government. This guide is available to browse online or download.

Government support

Information about Australian Government agencies that are working to assist the growth of the Australian ICT sector can be found here.

Agencies

Australian Government agencies administer a range of policies and programs targeted at the ICT sector, including tax concessions, grants, facilities and business assistance.

Australian Government agencies of particular interest to international ICT companies include:

AusIndustry

As the program delivery arm of the Australian Government, AusIndustry provides a single point of contact for major business assistance programs offered by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments.

Australian Communications and Media Authority

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is a government agency responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, the internet, radio-communications and telecommunications.

Australian Research Council

The Australian Research Council (ARC) is a statutory authority within the Australian Government's Education, Science and Training portfolio. The ARC advises the Government on research matters and manages the National Competitive Grants Program, a significant component of Australia's investment in research and development.

Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts provides strategic advice and professional support to the Australian Government on a wide policy range including broadcasting, ICT and telecommunications.

Department of Education, Science and Training

The Department of Education, Science and Training provides information on employment, education, science and training programs, policies and services.

Department of Finance and Administration

The Department of Finance and Administration (DOFA) administers the Australian Government Procurement Policy Framework which establishes the principles for the Australian Government's acquisition of property and services, including ICT. The Australian Government Information Management Office, located within DOFA, is working to make Australia a leader in the productive application of ICT to government administration information and services.

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship provides information and application forms for migration to Australia, and information about settling in Australia, Australian citizenship, and multicultural affairs.