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Government consultations and action

Current consultations, laws, regulators and formal ways to influence government decisions about AI.

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Current AI and data-centre consultations

Consultations are listed by closing date.

Current consultationCloses

National Electricity Market · AEMC consultation

Who pays for electricity-network upgrades?

The Australian Energy Market Commission is consulting on cost recovery for network augmentations, including upgrades needed for large new electricity users such as data centres.

What to ask for

Ask for transparent allocation of connection and upgrade costs, protection against costs being shifted to households, and safeguards if a proposed large user does not proceed.

Make a submission by 5 November

AEMC consultation paper, 24 September 2026 · Last checked:

Decisions to challenge or influence

Current laws and regulatory changes

Each item explains what has changed, why it matters and the action still available.

Review announced15 October 2026

Independent review of aged-care assessment algorithms

An independent expert review will examine the Integrated Assessment Tool and the algorithms used to classify and prioritise aged-care needs.

Why it matters

The review concerns how assessment information becomes a service classification or priority, and the role of clinical judgement.

Take action

Follow the review and ask your federal representatives for published findings, meaningful human review and a way to correct assessment errors.

Review announcement
Proposal8 October 2026

Proposed National AI Standards

The government has outlined proposed National AI Standards for frontier AI, including risk assessment and accountability requirements to be developed through legislation.

Why it matters

The proposal will shape the obligations placed on developers of the most capable AI systems.

Take action

Ask your federal representatives for public consultation, independent oversight and enforceable safeguards as the legislation is developed.

Minister’s announcement
Investigation opened7 October 2026

OAIC investigation into the HeyCyan smart-glasses app

The OAIC has opened an investigation into Shenzhen Qingcheng, the maker of the HeyCyan phone app used with smart glasses sold by several retailers, including Kmart.

Why it matters

The investigation concerns the handling of personal information collected through the app.

Take action

Read the investigation announcement. If your information has been mishandled, raise it with the organisation and use the OAIC privacy complaint process.

OAIC investigation
Act passedAssented 26 August 2026

Surveillance and computer-access warrants extended

The Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Act 2026 extended the sunset date for network activity, data disruption and account takeover warrants by three years.

Why it matters

These powers allow covert access to networks, accounts and data. The accountability question is whether oversight, reporting and review keep pace with the extended powers.

Take action

Write to the Attorney-General and your federal representatives. Ask them to support public reporting, strict necessity tests and independent review before the next sunset date. Request a written response.

Parliamentary recordFind your representatives
Starts soon10 December 2026

Disclosure of automated decisions

Organisations covered by the Privacy Act will need to state in their privacy policies when personal information is used in automated decisions that can significantly affect a person’s rights or interests. OAIC published updated guidance on 30 September 2026.

Why it matters

Disclosure is useful, but disclosure alone does not guarantee an explanation, human review or a workable appeal when an automated decision causes harm.

Take action

Ask the organisation in writing whether an automated system was used, what data it relied on and how to obtain human review. Request access to your personal information. If the issue is not resolved after 30 days, lodge a complaint with the OAIC.

OAIC guidance, 30 September 2026Privacy complaint steps
In forceAge-check duties expanded during 2026

Age checks under online safety codes

Age-restricted material codes now require some search services, app stores, social platforms, games and AI services to use age assurance in defined circumstances.

Why it matters

Age checks can involve identity documents, facial age estimation, payment data or behavioural signals. The codes require privacy minimisation, fairness and more than a government ID-only route.

Take action

Record what data the service demands, the alternatives it offers and how long it keeps the data. Refuse unnecessary collection, complain to the service in writing and report apparent code breaches to eSafety. Use the privacy complaint process if personal information is mishandled.

How age checks workCodes and complaint route
Act passedMain provisions start 1 July 2027

Unfair digital design and subscription traps

The Unfair Trading Practices Act targets conduct that manipulates consumers, distorts choice, hides transaction charges or makes subscriptions hard to cancel.

Why it matters

Defaults, confusing consent processes and obstructive cancellation can affect whether a consumer has made a free and informed choice.

Take action

Keep screenshots, dates, charges and correspondence. Demand cancellation or a refund in writing, then report the conduct to the ACCC and your state or territory consumer agency.

Parliamentary recordReport to the ACCC
Consultation closedFinal code due 10 December 2026

Children’s Online Privacy Code

The code will set extra privacy duties for apps, games, websites and other online services likely to be used by children.

Why it matters

The final rules will shape age assurance, profiling, targeted marketing, deletion rights and how a child’s consent is treated.

What remains possible

The formal consultation is closed, but the code is not final. Write to the OAIC and your federal representatives before 10 December. Ask for data minimisation, a ban on behavioural advertising to children, genuine deletion rights and strict limits on age-assurance data.

OAIC code pageContact the OAIC

How you can make a difference

01

Make a formal submission

Use a submission to influence a consultation, inquiry or planning application before the deadline. State the decision you want, address the published criteria and demand clear conditions where approval is being considered.

Use the submission guide
02

Start a parliamentary petition

Use a petition to put a clear demand before Parliament and build visible public support. Follow the chamber’s rules exactly; the federal secretariat will check a draft before it is launched.

Read federal petition rules
03

Write to representatives

Contact your local member, the responsible minister and your state senators. State the action you expect, explain the local or public impact, attach evidence and ask for a written response.

Find federal representatives
04

Make a regulator complaint

Use a complaint when a specific act has already occurred. Keep screenshots and correspondence, name the rule or right involved, explain the harm and state the remedy you want.

OAIC privacy complaints
05

Request public records

Use freedom of information laws to uncover decision records, meetings, assessments and correspondence. Ask for specific documents, date ranges and agencies so the request is difficult to dismiss as too broad.

Understand federal FOI
06

Organise peaceful public action

Hold a public meeting, rally, letter-writing event or community briefing to build pressure and bring affected people together.

Australian protest rights explainer

Past opportunities

Closed consultations and actions

Consultation closedClosed

NSW · Government consultation

NSW water pricing framework for data centres

The NSW pricing regulator consulted on how water and wastewater services should be priced for data centres. This stage sought feedback on the draft terms of reference for the review.

Why it matters

Data centres can create substantial concentrated water demand. Pricing rules can determine whether those infrastructure and supply costs are borne by operators, existing customers or the broader community.

View consultation record

Source: NSW Government / IPART · Last checked:

Consultation closed Closed 5 pm AEDT, Friday 9 October 2026

Federal AI infrastructure consultation · Government consultation

Getting it right: Building AI infrastructure that works for Australia

Suggested submission points

  • Require new, local clean power that matches electricity use hour by hour
  • Require project-level water-use figures and protect household and agricultural supply
  • Publish diesel generator use, emissions and cumulative grid impacts
  • Make community notice and public submissions mandatory before approval
  • Require consent and enforceable limits on data used to train AI systems
View consultation record

Source: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet · Last checked:

Consultation closedClosed 11.59 pm, (Tasmania)

Tasmania · Government consultation

Tasmania: Data Centre and AI Infrastructure Expectations

The Tasmanian Government consulted on proposed expectations for developers of data centres and AI infrastructure.

Submissions closed on 12 October. Responses are being analysed, with final expectations planned for the end of 2026.

View consultation record

Source: Tasmanian Government Engage consultation · Last checked: