Australia AI Regulations
Australia dropped its plan for a standalone AI act and mandatory guardrails in December 2025. Existing law applies, and automated decision-making transparency rules under the Privacy Act start on December 10, 2026.
Australia's National AI Plan, released in December 2025, stepped back from the mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI that the government had proposed in 2024. In their place the government relies on existing technology-neutral law, a new AI Safety Institute, and targeted reviews.
The most concrete new duty is the Privacy Act's automated decision-making transparency requirement, which takes effect on December 10, 2026.
Recently updated
regulations australia
Australia AI Regulation
The National AI Plan (December 2025) dropped the proposed mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI and committed to relying on existing technology-neutral law. The most concrete new duty is the Privacy Act's automated decision-making transparency rule, in force from December 10, 2026.
Governome Editorial Team · 3 min read
Frequently asked questions
- Does Australia have a mandatory AI law?
- No. The government paused its proposed mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI in the National AI Plan (December 2025) and committed to relying on existing law, while reserving the option to intervene later.
- What applies to AI systems in Australia right now?
- Existing law applied to AI use cases: the Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Consumer Law enforced by the ACCC, copyright and anti-discrimination law, and sector regulators' rules. From December 10, 2026, the Privacy Act also requires disclosure of significant automated decision-making in privacy policies.