The DTA is currently developing a refreshed platform to better navigate and apply the Australian Government Architecture to digital investments, which is available in public beta. To stay informed on the iterative development of the AGA, please join the Architecture Community of Practice through the Digital Profession.

The Whole-of-Government architecture is a decision-making and policy framework that helps agencies develop scalable, secure, and resilient digital capabilities.

These pages provide a high-level overview of the architecture, what it is, why it is important for digital and ICT transformation, how the components of the architecture fit together, and how to use it.  

The architecture enables government and agencies to deliver frictionless, joined-up services to Australians, make better use of digital investment, improve efficiency, and invest in strategic capabilities such as emerging technology.  

As a key part of the Whole-of-Government Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework, the architecture:

• provides guidance to agencies on how to deliver capabilities faster and in a way that is consistent, interoperable, promotes reuse, represents less risk and ensures value for money.
• sets clear signals for industry in describing the way in which capabilities are expected to be delivered.
• supports agency decision-making and creates transparency by publishing standards and patterns for digital and ICT capabilities.
• identifies gaps in capabilities and emerging technology where investment is required.

The architecture establishes the relationship between strategies, policies, and architecture artefacts – providing clear guidance to agencies planning digital investments.

Relationships as follows:

• Strategies – existing whole of government and whole of economy strategies set a clear direction, underpinned by a series of strategic outcomes, that form the basis of the architecture.
• Policies – existing whole of government policies provide clear requirements that agencies need to comply with to ensure digital investments work towards delivering on strategic outcomes and achieving the vision of these strategies. For these policies, the architecture articulates the:
  - intent – explaining the strategic alignment and rationale behind the policy
  - applicability – describing when this policy will be applicable
  - requirement – outlining the set of requirements that agencies must comply with.
• Architecture guidance – standards and frameworks, such as blueprints, pat-terns, reference architectures and statements of guidance that provide clear direction and set the expectations for how capabilities should be designed, built and delivered in line with overarching policies and strategies.

The architecture is continually informed and iterated based on key insights drawn from its usage, including opportunities for simplification and priority areas for its development.

Get in touch

If you are interested in accessing more information, contributing feedback and being kept up to date as the architecture is iteratively developed and refined, please contact architecture@dta.gov.au to find out more.