Australia Moves Toward Statutory AI Regulation

Anthony Albanese announced plans for an Office of AI and early legislation of national AI standards in Australia, including data center and creator copyright protections.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a National AI Plan in Australia last week, creating a central Office of AI and proposing funding, data center standards, and creator protections.

The Australian Government began developing enforceable national AI standards in July and August 2026, with Parliament reviewing the framework nationwide before a report due on 30 November.

Australia is forming an AI Governance Office to coordinate AI safety and licensing decisions, while drafting hyperscale data-centre templates across Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.

Australia announced an Office of AI and Australian Standards for AI while the OAIC reported 1,205 data breach notifications in 2025 and expanded regulator cooperation through the Digital Platform Regulators Forum.

In a recent call from Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged governments to establish global AI rules addressing safety, human control and corporate accountability.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Apple chairman Tim Cook in California and advanced child-safety and AI governance measures as Australia prepares national standards and incident-reporting requirements.