Section
Policy
Budget locks in $654m for Digital ID, lifts tech spend to $2.4bn
The 2026-27 federal budget allocates $654.3 million over four years to sustain Australia's Digital ID system, part of a $2.4 billion technology spending package that also shores up My Health Record.
Chalmers lifts R&D cap to $300m but startups face 47pc CGT rate
The 2026 federal budget raises the R&D tax incentive ceiling but proposed capital gains tax changes could more than double the effective rate on startup share sales, threatening the equity-as-incentive model that underpins the Australian tech ecosystem.
IREN signs $US3.4b Nvidia AI cloud contract, founder slams Australian regulation
Sydney-founded IREN has signed a five-year, $US3.4 billion managed cloud deal with Nvidia, and used the announcement to renew its founder's public criticism of Australian listing rules, planning timelines and grid connections.
Broome students flag 'alt' accounts routing teens past Australia's under-16 ban
Students at Broome Senior High School say teenagers are still on social media via anonymous 'alt' accounts six months after Australia's under-16 ban took effect. eSafety says formal investigations into Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube continue.
ShinyHunters claim 275 million Canvas LMS records, set 12 May leak deadline
The hacking collective ShinyHunters says it has stolen 275 million records from Instructure's Canvas learning platform, naming Australia among affected regions. The vendor has confirmed an intrusion of its Salesforce environment, the second by the same actor in eight months, with a 12 May leak deadline.
WA extends $A4.6m ClassmAIte AI lesson-planning pilot through 2027
Western Australia commits an additional $A4.6 million to push its ClassmAIte teacher AI tool through 2027 and past 100 schools by end-2026. Premier Roger Cook and Education Minister Sabine Winton announced the funding in the 2026-27 state budget.
Australia drafts 2.25 per cent news levy for Meta, Google, TikTok
Canberra's draft bill taxes Big Tech 2.25 per cent of Australian revenue unless Meta, Google and TikTok strike deals with publishers. The structure removes the deplatform-the-news escape route Meta used in 2024 and lands as Trump weighs trade retaliation.
National AI Centre launches AI.gov.au platform for safe AI adoption
The federal government on Friday launched AI.gov.au, a single platform pulling AI guidance, tools and case studies into one place. The site, delivered by the National AI Centre, is aimed first at SMEs and not-for-profits.
ASIC demands urgent cyber uplift as frontier AI Mythos accelerates threats
ASIC told every licensee on Friday to urgently strengthen cyber resilience, citing risks from frontier AI such as Anthropic's Claude Mythos. Commissioner Simone Constant said the clock is at 'a minute to midnight'.
ShinyHunters breach of Canvas LMS hits Australian schools and universities
Australian universities, state education departments and private schools are among the customers caught up in a global breach of Instructure's Canvas platform. ShinyHunters claims to have taken 3.65 terabytes of data covering 275 million users.
Australia names Cyber Incident Review Board to formalise post-breach lessons
The federal government has named Telstra's Narelle Devine to chair a new Cyber Incident Review Board, formalising no-fault post-mortems of major attacks under the Cyber Security Act 2024. Six other members were appointed from NBN Co, Boeing, Allens, Toll, SA Power Networks and UNSW.
APRA warns mortgage brokers on AI risk as CBA scales fraud-detection agent
APRA has told lenders and brokers AI-driven fraud is a board-level prudential risk, after Commonwealth Bank scaled an in-house fraud-detection agent and industry mortgage fraud hit about $A3 billion.
Australian startups warn CGT overhaul could blunt R&D tax incentive boost
Australian startup founders and tax advisers say proposed cuts to the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount risk undercutting an expected lift to the R&D Tax Incentive cap, days before Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down the 12 May 2026 federal budget.
ASIC fines Canva $792,000 over late accounts as filings show $US242m loss
ASIC has fined Canva Group A$792,000 over the late lodgement of its 2024 accounts, with each of four entities paying A$198,000. The long-delayed filings show the Sydney design software company posted a US$242 million net loss on revenue of US$2.1 billion.
ASIC sets June deadline for crypto exchanges as digital asset law nears commencement
ASIC has given Australian crypto exchanges until 30 June 2026 to begin licensing under existing financial services rules, ahead of the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 commencing on 9 April 2027.
