Australia’s DEWR Embraces Cloud for Secure, Connected Future
Australia’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), dedicated to helping Australians find fulfilling and well-paid jobs, is undergoing a significant change. the department is migrating its infrastructure to the cloud, a move aligned with the australian Public Service’s ambitious Data and Digital Government Strategy.
This strategy, developed by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), paints a vision for the future: “Australian Government will deliver simple, secure and connected public services, for all people and business, through world-class data and digital capabilities” by 2030.
DEWR, with over 4,200 employees and 772 contractors, including IT specialists, acts as a crucial IT provider to eight partner agencies. The department is led by three Ministers: Murray Watt, andrew Giles, and dr Andrew Leigh, who are committed to modernising DEWR’s technology and digital capabilities. This commitment is outlined in their 2024-2025 corporate plan,which prioritizes digital literacy across the department and its partner agencies.
“In our cloud and IT modernisation journey, DEWR has been following the lead set by DTA, which is tasked with helping other departments pursue their IT modernisation and digital transformation agendas,” explained Adam Shain, DEWR’s Chief Digital Officer, to GovInsider.
The DTA spearheaded the creation of the Australian Government Architecture (AGA) in 2020, a thorough framework guiding departments through ICT infrastructure decisions. The AGA aims to ensure strategic alignment across government digital investments, ultimately improving the citizen experience, securing online interactions, and digitizing services for greater accessibility and convenience. By harmonizing strategies,policies,standards,and designs,the DTA maximizes the reuse of existing services and platforms,fosters a clear understanding of the government’s digital asset landscape,and drives consistent strategic direction across agencies.
DEWR’s cloud migration signifies a crucial step towards simplifying its technology landscape and fulfilling the government’s vision of delivering world-class, connected public services. This transformation promises a more secure, efficient, and citizen-centric future for Australia.
The Department of Education, Workforce and Relations (DEWR) is embarking on a significant digital transformation journey, leveraging the power of cloud technology to enhance its services and empower its workforce. This strategic move promises to streamline operations, bolster security, and unlock the potential of cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence and big data analytics.
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According to DEWR’s Director,Shain,this transition to the cloud represents a pivotal step towards simplifying the department’s technological landscape. “This move will simplify our technology landscape, make our services secure, accessible and inclusive, and position the department to take advantage of modern tools such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics,” he explained.
The department’s commitment to digital evolution is further underscored by its comprehensive Data Strategy 2024–27. This strategic roadmap outlines key objectives including building upon existing data governance frameworks, enhancing data capabilities, fostering ethical data technology advancement, and transforming data analytics practices. “The strategy commits the department to harnessing insights from its data assets to inform policy development and program design, strengthening its data capability and culture, and ensuring data is managed safely and securely,” Shain elaborated.
To ensure a robust and versatile IT infrastructure,DEWR is adopting a hybrid cloud approach. as Shain noted, “This allows us to capitalise on our improved data center and cloud environments. By evolving and consolidating our cloud footprint, we can ensure our technology ecosystem is flexible, secure, and can support emerging technologies.”
The inherent versatility of cloud services will empower DEWR to dynamically scale resources according to fluctuating workloads. This adaptability will optimize responsiveness and elevate the delivery of essential government services. Shain emphasized that managing change effectively and mitigating potential risks are paramount priorities throughout this transformation process.Addressing security considerations is another critical focus area.
DEWR envisions this digital transformation positively impacting recruitment efforts. Shain believes, “We expect that in moving towards a more contemporary workplace surroundings and embracing digital transformation, the department will become more attractive to digital professionals looking to engage with innovative projects and modern technologies.”
In line with this vision, DEWR plans to collaborate with the Australian Public Service Commission’s Emerging Talent Programmes Team to develop three new ICT entry-level programs: the Digital Traineeship Program, the Digital Cadetship Programme, and the Digital Graduate Programme.
looking ahead, DEWR is committed to continuous evolution. Once the cloud migration is complete, the department plans to progress to the next phase of its transformation journey. Shain stated,”We intend continuing our transformation towards a more consolidated,simplified technology landscape and leveraging new technologies where we can and [it] is appropriate.”
DEWR’s Digital Business Strategy outlines a four-pronged approach to revolutionizing digital experiences. These shifts encompass: providing seamless access for users, creating consistent and reliable digital experiences, leveraging data to enhance services, and integrating systems to support effective policy development.
What are some of the key benefits DEWR anticipates from migrating it’s infrastructure to the cloud, both for the department and Australian citizens?
[Archyde News: Interview with Adam Shain, Chief Digital Officer, Department of Education, Workforce, and Relations (DEWR)]
Archyde (A): Thanks for joining us today, Adam. DEWR is in the midst of an exciting transition, moving its infrastructure to the cloud.What motivated this meaningful change?
Adam Shain (AS): Thank you for having me. the motivation behind this move is multifold. Firstly,it’s aligned with the Australian Public Service’s enterprising Data and Digital Government Strategy,set to be achieved by 2030. We’re committed to delivering simple, secure, and connected public services, and cloud migration is a pivotal step towards that.
A: That strategy, developed by the DTA, seems to provide a comprehensive framework for this transformation. How has DEWR been utilizing the Australian Government Architecture (AGA)?
AS: Absolutely, the AGA has been an invaluable guide for us.It ensures strategic alignment across government digital investments, improves citizen experiences, and secures online interactions. We’re working closely with the DTA, following their lead in IT modernisation and digital transformation agendas.
A:DEWR’s cloud migration promises to streamline operations, enhance security, and unlock potential tools like AI and big data analytics. How do you see this benefiting both the department and Australian citizens?
AS: Indeed,it’s a win-win situation. For DEWR, the cloud will simplify our technological landscape, making our services more accessible and inclusive for our partners and employees.For citizens, it means more efficient public services. We’re excited about the prospect of leveraging AI and big data analytics to make informed decisions, improving job matching for Australians, and ensuring we’re providing the most relevant and up-to-date services.
A: That’s promising. however, with change comes challenges. are there any hurdles you anticipate DEWR might face in this migration, and how are you preparing for them?
AS: You’re right, there are challenges. Moving workloads between clouds can be complex and costly. It requires careful planning and execution. we’re working closely with our cloud service providers, Dell Australia being one of them, to ensure a smooth transition. We’re also investing in upskilling our team to navigate this new surroundings effectively.
A: Speaking of Dell Australia, what role are they playing in DEWR’s cloud migration?
AS: Dell Australia is providing us with expert guidance and robust solutions for our cloud migration. They’ve been instrumental in helping us formulate our cloud strategy, selecting the right solutions, and executing the migration. Their understanding of our unique needs as a government department has been invaluable.
A: lastly, what advice would you give to other government departments looking to embrace cloud technology?
AS: I’d stress the importance of strategic planning and aligning your vision with the AGA. seek expert help when needed,and ensure your team is ready with the right skills. Embrace this change, as it’s a significant step towards delivering world-class, connected public services.
A: Wisdom indeed. Thank you, Adam, for your insights and for taking the time to discuss DEWR’s cloud journey with Archyde.
AS: My pleasure.It’s an exciting time for DEWR and the wider public service, and we’re eager to share our progress with everyone.
