The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is to receive $728.1 million to upgrade its core digital systems over the next five years.
The funding, revealed in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) budget update [pdf], will “enhance energy security and reliability” for the national electricity operator.
AEMO, which is 60 percent government-owned, mentioned its uplift of “operational digital systems” and ongoing work to “strengthen AEMO’s cyber security posture” in its FY24 annual results [pdf].
The operator, which also oversees retail and wholesale gas markets in south-eastern Australia, has been contacted for more details about its digital transformation plans.
Meanwhile, the MYEFO will also see the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) gain $110.4 million over two years from 2024–25 to boost fraud-detecting information technology systems.
This will be in addition to the $83.9 million revealed earlier this year for the systems which fall under the ‘Crack Down on Fraud’ program.
Revealed earlier this month, the “program is already delivering”, according to federal minister Bill Shorten said, and has identified over 2100 providers with “problematic claiming behaviours”.
“This program is progressively delivering a range of system uplifts that make it easier for participants and providers to get it right and much harder for them to get it wrong,” Shorten said.
Other technology measures revealed in the MYEFO include $7.6 million over five years from 2024–25 to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) to update its information technology system “to meet whole‑of‑government information security requirements”.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will receive $2.2 million over two years from 2024–25 for technical capabilities alongside climate policy.
Aboriginal Hostels will gain $600,000 to upgrade its IT systems.
Meanwhile, the government will provide $500,000 over four years from 2024–25 to establish and remunerate members of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Body.
Telco resilience
In the telecommunications space, $16 million will be delivered over two years from 2024–25 to extend the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) package and to continue the Sky Muster community wi-fi services for emergency services until June 30 2029.
This funding will also be used to improve “telecommunications infrastructure resilience” in regional Western Australia.
Meanwhile, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and Arts will receive $4.2 million over four years “for the delivery of communications priorities, including boosting connectivity and digital inclusion”.
In addition, $3.5 million in 2024–25 has been allocated to trials of alternative technology options for legacy voice services to “support the design of modern universal service obligation services”.
This follows a consultation last year into the operation of landline-based voice services, most of which now run over the NBN.