BackAdvances in technology have made it easier for agencies to make automated decisions. Government decisions, like most decisions, affect people’s lives, so it is important that automated decision-making systems uphold the legal rights and privacy of individuals.
In collaboration with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD), the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman has published a Better Practice Guide for Automated Decision-Making. Updated in 2020, it draws on the experience of our Office, the OAIC and AGD in overseeing the rollout of digital programs, and includes references to the complementary resources that have been developed since the original guide was published in 2007. The guide was originally published in February 2007 by a cross agency Working Group, building on the Administrative Review Council (ARC) Report No. 46 to the Attorney-General entitled Automated Assistance in Administrative Decision Making.
We have revised this guide to ensure agencies have current guidance on how to design, monitor and evaluate automated systems to ensure they comply with administrative law and privacy principles and best practice administration.
The Office acknowledges the valuable input provided by the NSW Ombudsman’s Office, Australian Human Rights Commission, Digital Transformation Agency, members of the Artificial Intelligence Inter-Departmental Committee, members of the Integrity Agencies Deputies group, Dr Will Bateman of the ANU, and the Gradient Institute.
Source: Commonwealth Ombudsman, Australia
