Australia
Australia has 4 tracked bills, 8 news records, and 7 public figures; leading categories are AI governance, data-center siting, and data privacy, the stage mix is 4 enacted, and facility matching found 10 matched data centers with 1,760 MW of reported capacity, no matched power plants, 0 local policy areas and 0 local actions.
Legislation
- EnactedFavorableDC-AI Expectations 2026
Expectations of Data Centres and AI Infrastructure Developers (March 2026)
Expectations of Data Centres and AI Infrastructure Developers (March 2026) is tracked in Australia at the Enacted stage. It is classified under data-center siting, tagged with a favorable policy posture, and linked to data center siting, energy transition, and water sustainability. The record date is 2026-03-23.
Updated Mar 23, 2026Source - EnactedConcerningPrivacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024
Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024
Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 is tracked in Australia at the Enacted stage. It is classified under data privacy, tagged with a concerning policy posture, and linked to data privacy, automated decision making, and children online safety. The record date is 2026-02-10.
Updated Feb 10, 2026Source - EnactedUnder reviewAISI-2026
Australian AI Safety Institute (AISI)
Australian AI Safety Institute (AISI) is tracked in Australia at the Enacted stage. It is classified under AI governance, tagged with a review policy posture, and linked to ai safety, frontier models, and regulator coordination. The record date is 2026-02-01.
Updated Feb 1, 2026Source - EnactedUnder reviewGfAA 2025
Guidance for AI Adoption (National AI Centre, October 2025)
Guidance for AI Adoption (National AI Centre, October 2025) is tracked in Australia at the Enacted stage. It is classified under AI governance, tagged with a review policy posture, and linked to ai governance, voluntary standards, and responsible ai. The record date is 2025-10-21.
Updated Oct 21, 2025Source
Key figures
- Anna LeonardConcerning
Acting Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner · N/A
- Ed HusicConcerning
Former Minister for Industry and Science (AI policy architect) · ALP
- Julie Inman GrantRestrictive
eSafety Commissioner · N/A
- Michelle RowlandConcerning
Attorney-General · ALP
- Sarah Hanson-YoungRestrictive
Senator, Greens Spokesperson for Communications and the Arts · Greens
- Tim AyresFavorable
Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Science · ALP
- Tom McHughUnder review
Assistant Secretary, AI Policy Branch, Department of Industry, Science and Resources · N/A
Recent news
Australian Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with global AI innovator Anthropic
Department of Industry Science and Resources · Apr 1, 2026
NSW moves 15 data centres worth AUD 51.9bn into IDA pipeline
w.media · Mar 27, 2026
Australia Puts AI Data Centers on Notice With New Approval Rules
Data Center Knowledge · Mar 24, 2026
Stockland hyperscale data centre at Macquarie Park gets NSW approval
w.media · Feb 18, 2026
Southern Hemisphere's biggest data centre gets the green light
NSW Government · Jan 30, 2026
New industry codes seek to take on AI chatbots that encourage suicide and engage in sexually explicit conversations with Aussie kids
eSafety Commissioner · Jan 8, 2026
Australia launches AI Safety Institute and releases National AI Plan
Gadens · Dec 4, 2025
Australia Abandons Proposed Mandatory AI Rules in New Plan
Bank Info Security · Dec 2, 2025
Compiled from public sources for general information, not legal advice. Facts may lag the latest developments; follow the source links for the current state.