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National Smartcard Framework

Overview

Smartcards are emerging as an important technology in a variety of online, offline and hybrid applications in the public and private sectors. They have the potential to enhance service delivery, improve citizens’ privacy and increase security against identity theft and fraud.

The Department of Finance and Deregulation, through the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) has developed a framework for smartcard technology which underpins evidence of identity and service initiatives by articulating a minimum set of requirements for interoperability at both the infrastructure and application levels. Similar approaches are being undertaken in the European Union and the United States.

This framework has been developed in consultation with Australian Government agencies, state and territory governments and industry. Formerly the Australian Government Smartcard Framework, it is now the National Smartcard Framework following the Online and Communications Council [](OCC) endorsement in December 2008.

The National Smartcard Framework is intended to become an essential reference guide for agencies introducing smartcard technology. It will facilitate the specification by these agencies of secure and interoperable credentials and will be fundamental to the delivery of better connected government services. The Framework will be used by agencies across all levels of government to ensure that, where necessary, smartcard implementations are mutually compatible and conform to industry standards.

The National Smartcard Framework is an essential reference guide for agencies introducing smartcard technology. It will facilitate the specification by these agencies of secure and interoperable credentials and will be fundamental to the delivery of better connected government services. The Framework should be used by agencies across all levels of government to ensure that, where necessary, smartcard implementations are mutually compatible and conform to industry standards.

Text description of National Smartcard Framework image.

The final version of the Framework document is available below.

The National Smartcard Framework:

• National Smartcard Framework PDF version [ 2.1 MB]
• National Smartcard Framework Zipped RTF version [ 1.4 MB]

To complement the Framework, a suite of online supporting documents is available to assist agencies in planning and implementing smartcard projects.
The suite includes:

• Smartcard Handbook
  • Smartcard Handbook PDF version [ 2.1 MB]
  • Smartcard Handbook Zipped RTF version [ 290 KB]
• Implementation Models and Checklists
  •  Implementation Models and Checklists PDF version [ 1.4 MB]
  • Implementation Models and Checklists Zipped RTF version [ 705 KB]
• Smartcard Project Design Guide
  • Smartcard Project Design Guide PDF version [ 1.7 MB]
  • Smartcard Project Design Guide Zipped RTF version [ 207 KB]
• Case Studies
  • Case Studies PDF version [ 1.5 MB]
  • Case Studies Zipped RTF version [ 44 KB]
• Framework Implementation Specifications
  • A link will be inserted to the Framework Implementation Specifications as they become available.

Contact for information on this page: Smartcard Team

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