UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2026:
Australia’s AI regulatory trajectory has shifted in notable ways. While the 12-member Artificial Intelligence Expert Group continues advising the government, the broader policy direction has evolved. It has shifted from proposed mandatory guardrails toward a strengthened guidance-based framework supported by existing laws.
In December 2025, the Australian government released its National AI Plan. It pivots away from immediate AI-specific legislation in favor of economic growth, AI adoption incentives, infrastructure expansion, and targeted risk management through existing consumer, privacy, and sectoral laws. The Plan also confirmed the launch of the Australian AI Safety Institute (AISI), backed by AUD 29.9 million in funding. Operations should begin this year. The Institute will focus on monitoring AI risks, testing systems, and coordinating cross-government safety efforts.
Regulatory guidance has also been consolidated. In October 2025, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources introduced the Guidance for AI Adoption (GfAA), replacing the earlier Voluntary AI Safety Standard. The new framework streamlines previous guardrails into six lifecycle-based practices. It covers governance, risk assessment, testing, transparency, accountability, and monitoring. The guidance builds on Australia’s AI Ethics Principles and applies to both developers and deployers.
Within government, oversight mechanisms have become more formalized. A revised Policy for Responsible Use of AI in Government, effective December 15, 2025, now requires AI impact assessments and procurement safeguards. Additionally, the Australian Public Service AI Plan outlines 15 initiatives to embed AI responsibly into service delivery and internal operations.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
Australian Government Assembles Experts to Advise on AI
The Australian government establishes an expert group to advise on safeguards for high-risk AI systems. On February 14, the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced the creation of the Artificial Intelligence Expert Group.The 12-member group held its first meeting on February 2.
The group will provide recommendations to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Those recommendations will involve transparency, testing and accountability measures for AI systems operating in high-risk settings. This could include mandatory AI guardrails to ensure the technology is deployed safely and responsibly. “This Artificial Intelligence Expert Group brings the right mix of skills to steer the formation of mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI settings,” Minister Husic said in a statement, “With expertise in law, ethics and technology, I’m confident this group will get the balance right.”
The creation of the expert group delivers on a key commitment in the government’s interim response to the Safe and Responsible AI in Australia consultation, which was published last month. That report called for immediate work on options for regulatory frameworks and AI safety standards in areas like healthcare, transport and law enforcement.
Planned AI Panel
The appointments to the 12-member expert panel reflect a diversity of backgrounds and specializations. They include scientists like Bronwyn Fox, CSIRO’s Chief Scientist, and AI experts such as Professor Simon Lucey, director of the Australian Institute for Machine Learning. Legal minds have also been enlisted, including Terri Janke, an authority on Indigenous cultural intellectual property, and Angus Lang SC, an intellectual property and AI law specialist. Ethicists on the panel include Ed Santow, co-founder of the Human Technology Institute, and Nicolas Suzor, an expert on digital governance from QUT. The group’s chair, Aurélie Jacquet, brings deep experience in developing responsible AI systems and chairs the national AI standards committee.
Minister Husic said the expertise assembled will ensure AI models are transparent and well tested before being deployed. “Its imperative sophisticated models underpinning high risk AI systems are transparent and well tested,” he stated.
Need Help?
Keeping track of the ever-changing AI landscape can be tough. Especially if you have questions and concerns about how it will impact you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts are ready to provide valuable assistance.
