Australian Government Technical Interoperability Framework
Foreword
More and more government operations and service delivery are spanning traditional agency boundaries, and this trend is likely to continue. Government agencies must be able to work together, share information and business processes to provide services which are tightly integrated across those agencies.
An important step to achieve seamless delivery of services across government is making sure that the tools we use to do business are compatible. Information and communications technology (ICT) is now the tool underpinning most government operations. This requires a whole-of-government ICT approach – a framework defining common standards and enablers.
Interoperability, or enabling seamless connections, is fundamental to reducing the cost of government and improving service outcomes to citizens. The technical interoperability framework provides this foundation of common standards to support collaboration across government agencies, the community and business sectors.
This latest version of the Australian Government Technical Interoperability Framework (the Framework) was developed by the Interoperability Framework Working Group (IFWG), a reference group of senior technical architects nominated by the Chief Information Officers’ Committee (CIOC). The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) supported the review. This new version responds to developments in the ICT industry which are supporting business and government to be more interconnected. The Distributed Systems Technology Centre (DSTC) provided independent, expert advice during the course of the review.
The Framework specifies a conceptual model and agreed technical standards that support collaboration between Australian Government agencies. Adopting common technical protocols and standards will ensure government ICT systems interoperate in a trusted way with partners from industry and other governments. Interoperability will improve efficiency, reduce costs to business and government and will support agencies’ capacity to respond to public policy developments.
The Framework’s scope relates only to Australian Government agency interoperability. It does not affect the technologies deployed within an agency or constrain an agency’s interactions outside the Australian Government.
The Framework represents one of the first steps in developing an online environment where government services are integrated to better serve the needs of business and the community. It recognises that interoperability will develop out of independent, ‘siloed’ systems, but with a common business need – to exchange data. It is an important step towards multi-agency or whole-of-government service delivery.
This version of the Framework extends the range of standards in use by agencies and includes guidance on the nature of each standard and whether it is emerging or fading in its utility. The Framework is a living document and will develop as improvements and changes in technical, business and administrative processes emerge.
Ann Steward
Chair, Chief Information Officer Committee
July 2005
Contact for information on this page: interoperability@finance.gov.au