The Federal Government’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has announced it will lead a public consultation to devise the latest iteration of the Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF) – a security verification standard for individuals and organisations accessing government services.
 

The fourth iteration of the TDIF will set requirements for companies seeking accreditation on the scheme, considered “a foundational step to developing a true whole-of-economy solution”, the DTA said in a statement. Accordingly, the Agency said it is also seeking to broaden the Framework to support organisations and agencies that choose to undergo accreditation. 
 
The Australia-wide consultations will also focus on achieving interoperability with other trust frameworks, including the Australian Payment Council’s TrustID Framework, as well as cross-recognition of digital identities created in New Zealand and Singapore identity programs.  
 
First introduced in 2016, the Framework establishes guidelines for the handling of personal information by government agencies and accredited organisations, as well as setting rules for accessibility, usability, security, and management of user identity for those accessing government services. 

“The TDIF sets out the tools and rules for the transformative digital identity program that aims to make it easier for Australians to access government services digitally. It also ensures that security and privacy are front and centre,” the DTA said in a statement.

As part of the consultation period, the DTA will hear from community groups and corporations through to all levels of government. To date, more than 3,000 contributions from the community, industry and international bodies have been collected as part of the earlier iterations.

Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert said the TDIF would serve as a “building block” for the development of the whole-of-government citizen services portal, Services Australia.

“Australians rightly expect government services to be simple, seamless and safe. The standards established through this framework will enable government to meet this expectation, ensuring Australians have secure and reliable access to digital government services,” he said.

“Digital identity, underpinned by this framework, will enable faster, simpler services for government and the digital economy. Whether through implementing new data sharing arrangements or through improving the Trusted Digital Identity Framework, we are driving improvements right across government service delivery and putting in place the building blocks for Services Australia.”

The Government says it expects to launch the fourth iteration of the TDIF by early 2020.