Australia exploring plans to connecting AGDIS to private sector identity exchanges

Earlier in March, Australia’s Department of Finance closed its tender for “professional services to undertake current‑state mapping and analysis of the Australian Government Digital ID System (AGDIS) Identity Exchange.”

The contract covers work to analyze existing AGDIS architecture, data and process flows and provide clear documentation on operations.

Work will also assess options for future connectivity between identity exchanges. Technical, operational and risk impacts must be factored in. Outcomes “will inform government decision‑making ahead of planned expansion of the AGDIS.”

Connecting the government digital identity service with others, opening up access for the private sector, will allow private sector users to securely verify customers’ identities using the government’s digital identity scheme.

At present, the digital ID is valid for authentication across 246 online government services. The tender represents the first steps on how to technically execute an integration with government digital identity.

The government is aiming to open AGDIS access to private sector identity service providers, identity exchange providers and relying parties on December 1, 2026.

Australia has been rolling out its digital ID scheme in phases since 2024. This step represents phase four, the final phase of the plan. This year it will undergo a formal audit to examine governance, risk management and evaluation of the scheme before opening it to private sector identity providers.

Australia keeps rolling while Britain bumbles

The Australian approach to digital ID appears to be moving in the opposite direction from the current plan in the UK, where the government has opted to go it alone on digital identity by designing, building and operating its digital ID in-house.

At present, the UK appears to be bumbling its way through a public consultation on digital ID like an administrative Mr. Bean, leaving confusion in its wake. No one seems sure what the proposed digital ID is for, and negative associations with past failed attempts linger in the public memory.

The cultural opposition to government-controlled digital identity in the UK has been hotly debated by stakeholders, including the newly energized Association of Digital Verification Professionals and the Tony Blair Institute, who discussed the issue on the Biometric Update Podcast.

Article Topics

Australia  |  Australian Government Digital Identity System (AGDIS)  |  biometrics  |  digital government  |  digital ID  |  government services  |  identity verification  |  tender