Treasurer Jim Chalmers has provided top-up funding for a handful of priority back end ICT systems in his 2022-23 Budget update, but we will have to wait until the next financial year to see whether the new government will embark on any large-scale modernisation or digital transformation projects.

The three most noteworthy new ICT funding injections are for Aged Care ICT ($312 million), the ATO Modernising Business Registers project ($166 million), and Veterans Affairs ($87 million). There is funding to continue upgrading the NBN, for cyber hub pilots, the new anti-corruption watchdog, and several new data initiatives. We also note there is money set aside to develop business cases at Veterans Affairs “to replace and modernise at risk legacy ICT systems,” and for the Department of Education to develop a new entitlements payment system.