Media Release | Prime Minister, where are the people in Australia’s AI safety plan

11 November 2026 - For Immediate Release

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) says the Government's six proposed AI safety protections and the 18 recommendations from the Rapid Review into the OpenAI incident involving Medicare are missing the one element they can't work without - capable technology professionals.

"Legislation and frameworks only work when capable, trusted technology professionals put them into practice," ACS CEO Dr Prins Ralston said.

"Where are those people in the plan? How will we know they have the capability to do the job?

"The review calls for stronger AI literacy, which can help staff recognise and report a problem. When an AI agent gains access to a government system it shouldn't, someone has to establish what it accessed, whether other public services are at risk and how quickly to act. That requires more than mere literacy. It takes specialist resident AI and cyber security capability.

"The same question applies to independent testing. Who has the expertise to put a powerful AI model through its paces, spot serious risks and challenge the developer's safety claims?"

Only 23% of Australians trusted AI developers to ensure their software was safe (MIT and University of Queensland, SARA 2025, cited in AI & Data Centres submission, 2026).

The Medicare AI incident highlighted the need for qualified professionals in the public service who are authorised to test, challenge, and escalate AI risks, rather than relying on an external company's transparency and timely reporting.

ACS is calling on the Government to set clear capability requirements for the people who independently test high-risk AI models and investigate serious AI incidents. ACS recommends:

1. Assess capability in consequential AI roles against recognised skills frameworks such as SFIA.
2. For high-impact AI the State uses or funds, name a senior owner, capable resident technology professional and officer authorised to pause or withdraw it; agencies and suppliers remain responsible.
3. For covered large-scale AI training, require a qualified compliance officer - based in Australia - alongside, notification and defined capability evaluations. Developers must retain legal responsibility; phase in independent verification as accredited assessors become available.
4. Equip the APS workforce with professional AI capability that go beyond literacy. This would lift standards across the APS, reduce the risk of errors and misuse, and strengthen its ability to assess, use and govern AI safely.

ENDS

Further information

Troy Steer
Director of Member Engagement & Public Affairs
M - 0417 173 740
E - [email protected]

About ACS

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the professional body for Australia's technology profession. Since 1966, we have championed a trusted, skilled, and world-class profession, representing 42,000 members across business, government and education, with branches in every Australian state and territory. Our work strengthens Australia's digital sovereignty, responsible AI adoption, cyber resilience, workforce capability and digital trust. We set professional standards, accredit education, certify practitioners and advocate for the skills and capabilities Australia needs. ACS is committed to advancing the profession and ensuring technology serves Australia's national interests and delivers lasting public value.

About Cyberpath

CyberPath is a Commonwealth grant-funded cyber professionalisation pilot led by ACS which brings together industry, government and education to standardise career and education pathways, skills requirements and recognition frameworks for cyber security.