APS AI Tracker

ABS

Australian Bureau of Statistics

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Tracked since 11 Nov 2025 · 1 change of substance across 4 versions · last changed 15 July 2026

What’s changed

How to read this

  1. Tracking begins. The statement says it was first published 15 Jul 2026.

  2. substantive Annual refresh names a Chief AI Officer, moves the chatbot from the Census Test to the 2026 Census with privacy safeguards, and adds staff training requirements and legislative compliance claims.

    read by Claude Opus 5.5
    • Chief AI Officer appointed under the APS AI Plan 2025
    • Public chatbot now serves the full August 2026 Census rather than the 2025 Census Test
    • Chatbot described as using a fixed knowledge base, not learning from user input, and automatically removing personal details
    • Possible future uses flagged, including testing and assurance, limited to no public interaction, personal or market-sensitive information, and subject to staff review
    • All staff using AI must complete AI training and agree to the ABS AI acceptable use directives
    • Compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and Census and Statistics Act 1905 claimed
    • Governance forums described as being further strengthened
    • Release and publication dates moved to 15 July 2026
    • Chief AI Officer: not mentioned → in place
    • New commitment (human oversight): Outputs of future AI testing and assurance uses will be subject to review by ABS employees
    • New commitment (will not): Future AI uses for testing and assurance will not involve public interaction, personal information or market sensitive information
    • Safeguard added: acceptable use policy
    • Staff training: available → mandatory
    • Stated first-published date: 2025-07-16 → 2026-07-15
    Show the words that changed ↓

What the statement says

How to read this

The ABS says it uses machine learning to apply standard classifications to data, generative AI to draft, summarise and transcribe content, and a public generative AI chatbot for the August 2026 Census. It governs this through governance forums, risk management, performance monitoring, mandatory AI training and acceptable use directives. It has an accountable official and a Chief AI Officer, and says it complies with the policy, the Privacy Act and the Census and Statistics Act. read by Claude Opus 5.5

What it says AI is used for

  • Workplace productivity
  • Service delivery
  • Corporate and enabling

Public-facing AI: yes, human review not stated

Safeguards named: a governance body, risk assessment, testing or evaluation, incident or concern reporting, privacy or security controls, staff training, an acceptable-use policy

The Standard’s eight elements 8 of 8

  • Intentions behind AI use
  • Use classified by DTA usage pattern or domain
  • Public-facing use addressed
  • Monitoring and protection measures
  • Compliance with the policy
  • Compliance with legislation
  • Date last updated
  • Public contact

What the policy requires Policy v2.0

Accountable official
designated
Strategic position on AI
not mentioned
AI use-case register
not mentioned
Staff training
mandatory
Policy version referenced
unspecified version

What the AI Plan asks AI Plan

Chief AI Officer
in place

Dates as of 12 Oct 2026

Review schedule
annually and when the approach changes
Says it was last updated
no date given
Last change we saw
15 July 2026
Updated since policy v2.0
yes

Commitments

  • will not Future AI uses for testing and assurance will not involve public interaction, personal information or market sensitive information
  • human oversight Outputs of future AI testing and assurance uses will be subject to review by ABS employees
  • will Only utilise AI services in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, frameworks and policies
  • will Monitor AI effectiveness via performance metrics, investigating user-reported anomalies and periodic system reviews
  • will Update the transparency statement every 12 months or as our approach to AI changes

The statement

How to read this

How we develop, deploy and manage artificial intelligence

In accordance with the Policy for responsible use of AI in government this statement outlines how the ABS uses artificial intelligence (AI), how AI related risks are being managed and how we comply with legislation and policy.

As Australia’s national statistical agency, we use AI related technologies to enhance our operations to meet the needs of our data users and providers, the government and the Australian people.

We use AI to improve our productivity by supporting and automating business functions, including:

  • using machine learning to apply standard classifications to data.
  • using a generative AI chatbot as part of the Census. The chatbot is available on the Census website to provide help and support for the Census.
  • using generative AI in the development and review of written content, such as summarising documents and transcribing meeting notes.

We will continue exploring additional AI opportunities as technologies evolve. This may include using AI for testing and assurance purposes. These uses would not involve public interaction, personal information or market sensitive information. Any outputs would be subject to review by ABS employees.

Public interaction and impact Also appears in 14 other agencies ACCC ACQSC AER AIC AIFS ALRC ARPANSA ASSEA BOM CCA DCCEEW GBRMPA NHFB WGEA

The public will have the opportunity to use a generative AI chatbot to obtain information about the Census in August 2026. The chatbot uses a pre-written knowledge base and does not learn from user input. It is designed to operate without collecting personal information and automatically removes any personal details that are entered, ensuring your privacy is protected.

The public do not have direct interaction with any other systems that utilise AI technologies and will not be impacted by our use of AI.

We have established governance processes and forums which we are further strengthening to assess and review potential business uses of AI. These arrangements ensure AI is implemented safely and responsibly in accordance with government policy and ethics principles. Ensuring data and cyber security is critical for us, and these aspects are essential in our consideration of AI technologies. We will monitor the effectiveness of AI technologies by capturing performance metrics, investigating user reported anomalies and conducting periodic system reviews.

We are aware of potential risks and take a risk-managed approach to the adoption of AI, particularly for public facing systems. All ABS staff who use AI are required to complete AI training and must agree to abide by ABS AI acceptable use directives.

We use forms of AI which are transparent and traceable, presenting lower potential risks and our AI governance ensures business uses are appropriately mitigating and managing risks.

We only utilise AI services in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, frameworks and policies. Our approach to AI has considered the Privacy Act (1988) and the Census and Statistics Act (1905), and complies with these requirements.

We comply with the Policy for responsible use of AI in government and have:

  • appointed an accountable official who is responsible for implementing the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government,
  • appointed a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) who will lead AI transformation at the ABS as part of the AI Plan for the Australian Public Service 2025, and
  • provided AI fundamentals training to staff.

This transparency statement was published to our website on 15th July 2026, and will be updated every 12 months or as our approach to AI changes.

For further information or enquiries about our adoption of AI please use our general enquiry form.

Statement text © Australian Bureau of Statistics. Most agency content is CC BY 4.0; check the original for its terms.

Every version

Every copy the daily scrape saved that differed from the one before, including minor edits. Pick a dot to see the statement as it was then.

  1. substantive +984

    Annual refresh names a Chief AI Officer, moves the chatbot from the Census Test to the 2026 Census with privacy safeguards, and adds staff training requirements and legislative compliance claims.

    read by Claude Opus 5.5
    The words that changed
    # AI transparency statement How we develop, deploy and manage artificial intelligence Release date and time 2415/07/20256 11:30am AEST In accordance with the [Policy for responsible use of AI in government](https://architecture.digital.gov.au/responsible-use-of-AI-in-government) this statement outlines how the ABS uses artificial intelligence (AI), how AI related risks are being managed and how we comply with legislation and policy. ## AI use As Australia’s national statistical agency, we use AI related technologies to enhance our operations to meet the needs of our data users and providers, the government and the Australian people. We use AI to improve our productivity by supporting and automating business functions, including: - using machine learning to apply standard classifications to data, and. - using a generative AI chatbot as part of the [Census Test](https://info.census.abs.gov.au/about/census-test). The chatbot is available on the Census website to provide help and support for the Census. - using generative AI in the development and review of written content, such as summarising documents and transcribing meeting notes. ## Public interaction and impact The public will have the opportunity to use a generative AI chatbot to obtain information about the Census Test in August 2025We will continue exploring additional AI opportunities as technologies evolve. This may include using AI for testing and assurance purposes. These uses would not involve public interaction, personal information or market sensitive information. Any outputs would be subject to review by ABS employees. ## Public interaction and impact The public will have the opportunity to use a generative AI chatbot to obtain information about the Census in August 2026. The chatbot uses a pre-written knowledge base and does not learn from user input. It is designed to operate without collecting personal information and automatically removes any personal details that are entered, ensuring your privacy is protected. The public do not have direct interaction with any other systems that utilise AI technologies and will not be impacted by our use of AI. ## AI governance We have established governance processes and forums which we are further strengthening to assess and review potential business uses of AI. These arrangements ensure AI is implemented safely and responsibly in accordance with government policy and ethics principles. Ensuring data and cyber security is critical for us, and these aspects are essential in our consideration of AI technologies. We will monitor the effectiveness of AI technologies by capturing performance metrics, investigating user reported anomalies and conducting periodic system reviews. ## AI risks and safety We are aware of potential risks and take a risk-managed approach to the adoption of AI, particularly for public facing systems. All ABS staff who use AI are required to complete AI training and must agree to abide by ABS AI acceptable use directives. We use forms of AI which are transparent and traceable, presenting lower potential risks and our AI governance ensures business uses are appropriately mitigating and managing risks. ## Compliance We only utilise AI services in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, frameworks and policies. We comply with the Policy for responsible use of AI in government and have: - designated policy implementation to an accountable official, - made this publicly available statement outlining our approach to AI adoption and use Our approach to AI has considered the Privacy Act (1988) and the Census and Statistics Act (1905), and complies with these requirements. We comply with the Policy for responsible use of AI in government and have: - appointed an accountable official who is responsible for implementing the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government, - appointed a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) who will lead AI transformation at the ABS as part of the AI Plan for the Australian Public Service 2025, and - provided AI fundamentals training to staff. This transparency statement was published to our website on 165th July 20256, and will be updated every 12 months or as our approach to AI changes. For further information or enquiries about our adoption of AI please use our [general enquiry form](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/general-enquiry-form).
    53ce240
  2. noise -12

    The ABS statement didn't change; the site's "Search ABS" header text just dropped out of the capture.

    read by Claude Opus 5.5
    The words that changed
    Search ABS # AI transparency statement How we develop, deploy and manage artificial intelligence Release date and time 24/07/2025 11:30am AEST In accordance with the [Policy for responsible use of AI in government](https://architecture.digital.gov.au/responsible-use-of-AI-in-government) this statement outlines how the ABS uses artificial intelligence (AI), how AI related risks are being managed and how we comply with legislation and policy. ## AI use As Australia’s national statistical agency, we use AI related technologies to enhance our operations to meet the needs of our data users and providers, the government and the Australian people. We use AI to improve our productivity by supporting and automating business functions, including: - using machine learning to apply standard classifications to data, and - using a generative AI chatbot as part of the [Census Test](https://info.census.abs.gov.au/about/census-test). The chatbot is available on the Census website. - using generative AI in the development and review of written content, such as summarising documents and transcribing meeting notes. ## Public interaction and impact The public will have the opportunity to use a generative AI chatbot to obtain information about the Census Test in August 2025. The public do not have direct interaction with any other systems that utilise AI technologies and will not be impacted by our use of AI. ## AI governance We have established governance processes and forums to assess and review potential business uses of AI. These arrangements ensure AI is implemented safely and responsibly in accordance with government policy and ethics principles. Ensuring data and cyber security is critical for us, and these aspects are essential in our consideration of AI technologies. We will monitor the effectiveness of AI technologies by capturing performance metrics, investigating user reported anomalies and conducting periodic system reviews. ## AI risks and safety We are aware of potential risks and take a risk-managed approach to the adoption of AI, particularly for public facing systems. We use forms of AI which are transparent and traceable, presenting lower potential risks and our AI governance ensures business uses are appropriately mitigating and managing risks. ## Compliance We only utilise AI services in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, frameworks and policies. We comply with the Policy for responsible use of AI in government and have: - designated policy implementation to an accountable official, - made this publicly available statement outlining our approach to AI adoption and use, and - provided AI fundamentals training to staff. This transparency statement was published to our website on 16th July 2025, and will be updated every 12 months or as our approach to AI changes. For further information or enquiries about our adoption of AI please use our [general enquiry form](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/general-enquiry-form).
    2f42e3a
  3. noise -2946

    Nothing the ABS wrote changed; the scraper stopped picking up the site's breadcrumb trail and the "Legislation and policy" sidebar links.

    read by Claude Opus 5.5
    The words that changed
    Search ABS ## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](https://www.abs.gov.au/) 1. [About](https://www.abs.gov.au/about) 1. [Legislation and policy](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy) 1. AI transparency statement ## [Legislation and policy](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy "Our privacy policy, Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosures and legislative framework.") - [Privacy](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/privacy "Our privacy policy and privacy impact statements.") - [Legislative framework](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/legislative-framework "The principal legislation that we work under.") - [Pre-release access policy](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/policy-pre-release-access-abs-statistics "How we ensure equity of access to all for our statistics and publications.") - [Documents tabled in Parliament](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/documents-tabled-parliament-abs "Our Senate Order lists and Survey documents tabled in parliament.") - [Procurement, contracts and registers](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/procurement-contracts-and-registers "How we obtain services and a list of all gifts we have received.") - [Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC)](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/australian-statistics-advisory-council "The key advisory body to the Minister and the ABS on statistical services.") - [AI transparency statement](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/ai-transparency-statement "How we develop, deploy and manage artificial intelligence.") - [Commonwealth Child Safe Framework Statement of Compliance](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/2025-commonwealth-child-safe-framework-statement-compliance) - [Security vulnerability disclosure](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/security-vulnerability-disclosure "This policy gives a person a point of contact to directly submit their findings if they believe they have found a potential security vulnerability within ICT systems operated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.") - [Freedom of Information](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/freedom-information "Make an FOI request and browse the documents we have releases in response to FOI requests.") - [Public Interest Disclosure](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/public-interest-disclosure "Public officials can use the public interest disclosure to report suspected wrongdoing in the Australian public sector.") - [Audit and Risk Committee](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/audit-and-risk-committee "The Audit and Risk Committee's Charter.") - [ABS Institutional Environment](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/legislation-and-policy/abs-institutional-environment "How we keep impartial and independent.") ______________________________________________________________________ # AI transparency statement How we develop, deploy and manage artificial intelligence Release date and time 24/07/2025 11:30am AEST In accordance with the [Policy for responsible use of AI in government](https://architecture.digital.gov.au/responsible-use-of-AI-in-government) this statement outlines how the ABS uses artificial intelligence (AI), how AI related risks are being managed and how we comply with legislation and policy. ## AI use As Australia’s national statistical agency, we use AI related technologies to enhance our operations to meet the needs of our data users and providers, the government and the Australian people. We use AI to improve our productivity by supporting and automating business functions, including: - using machine learning to apply standard classifications to data, and - using a generative AI chatbot as part of the [Census Test](https://info.census.abs.gov.au/about/census-test). The chatbot is available on the Census website. - using generative AI in the development and review of written content, such as summarising documents and transcribing meeting notes. ## Public interaction and impact The public will have the opportunity to use a generative AI chatbot to obtain information about the Census Test in August 2025. The public do not have direct interaction with any other systems that utilise AI technologies and will not be impacted by our use of AI. ## AI governance We have established governance processes and forums to assess and review potential business uses of AI. These arrangements ensure AI is implemented safely and responsibly in accordance with government policy and ethics principles. Ensuring data and cyber security is critical for us, and these aspects are essential in our consideration of AI technologies. We will monitor the effectiveness of AI technologies by capturing performance metrics, investigating user reported anomalies and conducting periodic system reviews. ## AI risks and safety We are aware of potential risks and take a risk-managed approach to the adoption of AI, particularly for public facing systems. We use forms of AI which are transparent and traceable, presenting lower potential risks and our AI governance ensures business uses are appropriately mitigating and managing risks. ## Compliance We only utilise AI services in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, frameworks and policies. We comply with the Policy for responsible use of AI in government and have: - designated policy implementation to an accountable official, - made this publicly available statement outlining our approach to AI adoption and use, and - provided AI fundamentals training to staff. This transparency statement was published to our website on 16th July 2025, and will be updated every 12 months or as our approach to AI changes. For further information or enquiries about our adoption of AI please use our [general enquiry form](https://www.abs.gov.au/about/general-enquiry-form).
    8b08194
  4. first tracked +5949

    First tracked version.

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