Learn how the Department of Education uses artificial intelligence safely and responsibly to improve services, inform policy, and support quality education.
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The Department of Education recognises the opportunities artificial intelligence (AI) presents to improve the way we work and deliver services. We are committed to using AI safely, responsibly and transparently to support our mission to ensure all Australians can access quality education.
Our use of AI is considered and purposeful. We are progressively expanding its use to support staff, improve productivity, inform policy development, strengthen information management and improve internal processes. Our approach aligns with the AI Plan for the Australian Public Service and the Digital Transformation Agency’s Policy for the responsible use of AI in government. It is supported by governance, guidance, training, risk management and assurance, with appropriate human oversight and accountability. The department is supporting staff to improve productivity, inform policy development, strengthen information management, improve internal processes, and assist our decision making.
The department is progressively adopting and integrating AI technologies into its operations. Our governance, assessment, monitoring and benefits realisation arrangements will continue to evolve and mature over time. This statement will be updated to reflect significant developments in those arrangements and the introduction of new use cases.
Why and how we use AI
The department uses AI primarily to support staff and improve internal operations. Consistent with the Australian Government Classification System for AI Use, we classify our current and emerging AI activities by usage pattern and domain. These classifications include operational uses, controlled trials and use cases in development.
Our current and emerging AI activities include the following usage patterns:
- workplace productivity
- analytics for insights
- supporting decision-making and administrative action.
They occur across the following domains:
- corporate and enabling
- policy and legal
- service delivery
- regulation and compliance.
Examples include:
- drafting, summarising and refining written materials
- supporting research, information discovery and knowledge management
- assisting with data analysis and the processing of large volumes of information
- supporting the development of communication products, including generating visuals, imagery
- supporting workflow automation and business process improvement
- providing staff with access to approved conversational AI tools
- supporting administrative aspects of recruitment while preserving merit-based, human decision-making
- identifying patterns, missing information or anomalies for further staff review.
AI outputs must be reviewed by an appropriately skilled departmental staff member before they are relied on or used. AI does not replace the judgement, authority or accountability of departmental decision-makers.
The department does not use AI to make final decisions. Where AI supports decision-making or administrative action, departmental employees remain responsible for assessing the evidence, applying relevant law and policy, and making the decision.
Approved tools and information handling
The department provides access to approved AI tools within managed government environments. These include Microsoft Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot for licensed users, Copilot Studio and GitHub Copilot for a limited number of users supporting data and software development activities. A limited number of users are also trialing AI capabilities available through the Databricks service to support data analytics.
Staff can also access GovAI Chat, a government-managed generative AI service supported by the Department of Finance. At the date of this statement, GovAI Chat is limited to publicly available and OFFICIAL information. Staff must not enter personal information, OFFICIAL: Sensitive information, PROTECTED information or information at a higher classification into GovAI Chat.
Information assets created using AI are subject to the same information management standards, obligations and accountability as all other information assets.
Governance and accountability
The department has established governance arrangements to oversee AI adoption and manage risk, including:
- an AI Accountable Officer responsible for implementing whole-of-government AI policy and overseeing assurance and transparency obligations. The department’s AI Accountable Officer is Kerryn Kovacevic, Chief Information Officer
- a Chief AI Officer responsible for supporting responsible adoption, capability uplift and high-value use cases. The department’s Chief AI Officer is Brendan Moon, First Assistant Secretary, Child Care Integrity Division
- an AI Steering Committee providing strategic oversight and monitoring delivery priorities
- executive and Audit and Risk Committee oversight through regular reporting
- working-level coordination across governance, people and change, tools, data, ethics and adoption
- accountable owners for in-scope AI use cases.
Privacy impact assessments and data security considerations are embedded into the AI governance process, ensuring that the department’s AI tools maintain the privacy of Australians and that their use adheres to our privacy obligations, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). More information about how the department manages personal information can be found in our Privacy Policy, including in relation to our use of AI.
AI use case register and assurance
The department maintains an internal AI Use Case Register for AI activity in development, testing or production that falls within the scope of the register. Concepts that have not progressed to development or testing are not recorded as active use cases.
The register supports accountability, monitoring, risk management, assurance and reporting to the Digital Transformation Agency.
The register is updated as use cases are identified, changed, deployed or retired. The department is continuing to improve its processes for identifying and recording use cases.
Capability, training and staff guidance
Staff must complete the Australian Public Service Commission’s AI in Government Fundamentals training every 12 months. The department complements this with internal guidance, practical learning and communications to build AI literacy and confidence.
Guidance covers approved tools, safe prompting, information handling, privacy, security, quality assurance, records management, accessibility, responsible decision support and use in specific business contexts.
The department is also developing measures to understand adoption, staff confidence, quality and benefits. These measures will inform guidance, investment and future updates to the department’s AI approach.
Public interaction with AI
At the date of publication, the department does not operate an AI service that directly interacts with members of the public.
Review and updates
This statement will be reviewed at least annually and updated earlier where significant changes occur.
Statements about current use and controls reflect the department’s position at the date of publication and may change as tools, risks, use cases and government requirements evolve.
Last updated: October 2026
Contact information
For questions or concerns about the department’s use of AI, contact: AI.ICT.Support@education.gov.au.