Action Plan

Initiative

Update the NSW Connectivity Strategy and roadmap to improve digital inclusion across the state by addressing current digital needs and emerging technologies, ensuring a clear path for enhancing connectivity for all communities.

Initiative

Develop a position on digital inclusion data collection specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with the First Nations data sovereignty principles. 

Initiative

Explore opportunities to partner with the private sector on connectivity innovations for underserved communities, including those with low socioeconomic status. 

Initiative

Develop a NSW Government policy on best practice management and use of temporary digital connectivity solutions in response to network failures. 

Initiative

Explore the impact of extending the DCP to apply to all new infrastructure, including infrastructure owned by state-owned corporations, local government authorities, and private bodies.  

Initiative

Engage and encourage broadband providers to promote affordable broadband to targeted communities, including social housing developments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Initiative

Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate the development of a government data donation model for redistributing unused government mobile data resources to people in need.

Initiative

Partner with private sector telecommunications carriers to explore, develop and implement affordable connectivity solutions specifically for targeted communities. 

Initiative

Advocate for tools or resources to help communities better understand connectivity options by engaging with national regulators. 

Initiative

Develop criteria for selecting procurement partners in line with the Disability Royal Commission recommendations 7.18 and 7.23.  

Initiative

Investigate measures to support the digital inclusion of victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. 

Initiative

Develop and implement the NSW Device Bank initiative, which will collect, refurbish and distribute NSW Government laptops to those in need along with a framework for all NSW Government agencies to donate end-of-use laptops to the NSW Device Bank. 

Initiative

Undertake community consultations to explore a Digital Device Voucher program to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to purchase 4G/5G compatible devices. 

Initiative

Partner with community organisations and NGOs to connect existing digital mentors in community centres, libraries and other providers. 

Initiative

Establish a Digital Inclusion Non-Government Delivery Partner Group to provide expert advice and partnership support for the delivery of the strategy. The stakeholders will include NSW Government agencies, NGOs, strategically aligned corporate organisations, academic institutions and advocacy groups. 

Initiative

Leverage the NSW Digital Skills and Workforce Compact to develop partnerships with major technology industry stakeholders and NGOs to extend and promote their digital literacy resources to underserved populations, including those living in regional and remote NSW. 

Initiative

Explore partnership opportunities with MNOs to expand community access to connectivity literacy programs and resources. 

Initiative

Explore partnerships with academic institutions, research centres and TAFE NSW to advance and scale digital inclusion initiatives, building on similar work done by the NSW Digital Skills and Workforce Compact. 

Initiative

Partner with the telecommunications industry to develop simplified terms and conditions for internet and telephone services and consumer protection rights materials, ensuring they are easily accessible and understandable for targeted cohorts, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Initiative

Establish digital community hubs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with Closing the Gap Target 17. 

Initiative

Develop a NSW Digital Inclusion Standard to guide government agencies in designing and delivering products, programs or services, including accessibility requirements with clear goals and consistent tools for measuring accessibility.  

Initiative

Explore creating best-practice digital inclusion and digital accessibility guidelines for public consultation processes conducted by NSW Government. 

Initiative

Embed digital inclusion objectives and practices into the strategic and operational planning processes of local councils to enhance their commitment to addressing digital equity.  

Initiative

Embed digital accessibility into NSW Government procurement processes consistent with AS EN 301 549, including establishing performance requirements and transparent reportable metrics on accessible procurement. This will involve reviewing and updating information about the level of accessibility conformance of ICT products and services listed on Buy.NSW.  

Initiative

Support a public awareness campaign to promote the importance of digital accessibility, and encourage inclusive practices among government agencies, business and the public. 

Initiative

Develop digital accessibility assets that can be shared across NSW Government to build awareness and capability.  

Initiative

Continue support for Cyber Security NSW to scan the dark web to find leaked information, support people if personal details have been compromised, and provide support to NSW Government agencies when they have experienced a data breach or to prepare breach response plans.  

Initiative

Promote the inclusion of cybersecurity, privacy and Digital ID training as part of digital skills training offered in community centres.  

Initiative

Leverage existing resources and promote free, online, self-paced learning modules on cyber safety tailored to age, learning preferences, accessibility requirements and language.  

Initiative

Establish a measure of public digital trust of government to annually report on public digital trust levels.  

Initiative

Support a multilingual campaign to promote broader community understanding of how to protect themselves against and recover from online scams and data breaches.  

Initiative

Develop a simplified privacy information statement, available in a range of languages and in easy read format, for use by all online government services and products.