Have Your Say on the Future of AI Training and Infrastructure in Australia
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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Details
- Date Published
- 17 Sept 2026
- Priority Score
- 4
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 18 Sept 2026, 04:00 am
Description
The Australian Government is seeking feedback on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) training and large data centres in Australia. AI has the potential to transform our economy, create new opportunities for businesses and workers, strengthen research and innovation, and improve the way Australians live and work. Australia is well placed to seize this opportunity, with a highly skilled workforce, world-class research capability and a strong track record of attracting investment in digital infrastructure.
Summary
The Australian Government has launched a public consultation to define the nation's strategy for AI training and large-scale data center infrastructure. The initiative focuses on the physical and environmental requirements of frontier AI development, including energy and water sustainability, workforce skills, and regulatory thresholds for infrastructure. While the primary focus is economic and environmental, the resulting standards will provide the foundational governance framework necessary for managing the risks associated with large-scale AI model training. This represents a significant step in Australian AI policy by addressing the physical bottlenecks and safety-relevant oversight of the infrastructure that enables advanced AI capabilities.
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The Australian Government is seeking feedback on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) training and large data centres in Australia. AI has the potential to transform our economy, create new opportunities for businesses and workers, strengthen research and innovation, and improve the way Australians live and work. Australia is well placed to seize this opportunity, with a highly skilled workforce, world-class research capability and a strong track record of attracting investment in digital infrastructure. The Australian Government wants to build on these strengths and ensure Australia is an attractive destination for investment in the infrastructure needed to support the next generation of AI. We are holding a public consultation to better understand how Australia can help build the digital infrastructure and technologies that will shape our future while managing their impacts responsibly. The consultation topics include: energy use and renewable energy requirements sustainable water use community engagement and project locations impacts on infrastructure and community developing workforce skills and training thresholds for applying requirements to different types of data centres. Feedback will help inform future decision making and advice to government. Whether you have technical expertise, industry experience, or an interest in how AI infrastructure may affect your community, we encourage you to participate. This consultation is one of several ways the government is gathering feedback. Responses received through the submission form will be considered alongside targeted stakeholder engagement and ongoing work with Commonwealth, state and territory governments. Together, this feedback will help inform the development of Australia's AI Standards. Consultation period Open: 6 am AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) Friday 18 September 2026.Close: 5 pm AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) Friday 9 October 2026.Have your sayRead the consultation paper.Make a submission.More information on the Getting it right: Building AI infrastructure that works for Australia consultation is available.