What is infrastructure digitalisation?
Infrastructure digitalisation (ID) refers to the use of digital practices, processes, and innovative technologies and the associated data to optimise outcomes throughout the asset lifecycle.
This can include use of digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Engineering (DE), Digital Twins, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and other smart technologies.
Why is infrastructure digitalisation important for NSW Government?
The infrastructure industry in NSW is facing fiscal constraints, stagnant construction productivity, labour shortages, limited digital maturity and complex data integration.
These challenges require the government to adopt a new approach to planning, delivering, managing and operating public infrastructure – leveraging digital practices across the infrastructure asset lifecycle.
Consistent adoption of Infrastructure digitalisation and robust data management practices will result in capital project cost savings, enhanced operational efficiency, improved risk management, and more reliable and resilient infrastructure assets.
What is the NSW Infrastructure Digitalisation and Data Policy?
The NSW Infrastructure Digitalisation and Data Policy (the Policy) will expedite the adoption of digital practices, systems and technologies. It applies across all aspects of public infrastructure that is planned, delivered, managed and operated by the NSW Government.
The Policy ensures NSW Government agencies consistently apply infrastructure digitalisation and data management practices aligned with international standards, and integrating them into existing policies, processes, and systems. It will support effective and efficient management of NSW Government built infrastructure assets.
A fit-for-purpose policy is needed to set requirements for agencies to accelerate the adoption of digital practices throughout the infrastructure lifecycle. This includes adopting robust data management practices, and uplifting workforce capability in the delivery of the state’s capital program. The Policy will also be a key enabler for broader government priorities such as net zero, housing targets, and promoting local advanced manufacturing.
This Policy applies to all NSW Government agencies that meet the following 2 criteria:
Budget Material agencies (as listed in NSW Budget Paper No.1), except for state-owned corporations and public financial and public non-financial corporations.
Agencies that regularly lead or are involved in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of government-owned built infrastructure assets. This also includes activities associated with technology and data management related to built infrastructure assets. This may include NSW Government funded and/or owned buildings, roads, tunnels, bridges, railways and metros, hospitals, schools, cultural infrastructure, communities and justice housing and infrastructure, TAFE buildings and associated infrastructure.
When will the Policy come into effect?
The Policy will come into effect following an 18-month transition period from its October 2025 publication. This gives NSW Government agencies time to assess their internal digitalisation maturity levels, define future goals and targets, and develop their strategy and transition plans to meet the Policy’s requirements.
Agencies should have regard to other existing NSW Government policies when implementing requirements of the Policy. This includes the NSW Asset Management Policy (TPP19-07), the NSW Infrastructure Investor Assurance Framework (IIAF), NSW Cyber Security Policy and other related NSW Government policies and initiatives. Together, these aim to embed robust agency practices in project delivery, asset management, data management, and cyber security.
What are the requirements of the Policy?
Under the Policy, NSW Government infrastructure delivery agencies must commit to, prioritise, manage, and invest in innovative, digitally enabled practices to boost productivity and unlock the value of information sharing across the sector.
Agencies will be required to complete 13 mandated actions, with each action setting out a set of associated minimum requirements they are expected to meet. During the first 18 months, NSW Government agencies will need to demonstrate their plan to achieve Policy outcomes by completing, at a minimum, all actions under Principle 1.
The Policy aims to minimise excessive administration for agencies. Its implementation should be scalable and tailored to each agency's specific operational needs and context. Agencies are encouraged to integrate the Policy requirements into existing processes where synergies exist, rather than developing separate artefacts to meet the Policy requirements.
What is the implementation timeline of the Policy?
What do agencies need to achieve within the 18-month transition period?
Agencies will need to establish and maintain an agency level Infrastructure Digitalisation and Data (IDD) Governance Structure, an Agency IDD Policy & Framework, with supporting IDD Strategy and Implementation Plans, as informed by their IDD Maturity Assessment.
The Policy is scalable and flexible, and designed to enable agencies to determine their digitalisation priorities aligned with each agency's specific needs.
Agencies are encouraged to integrate the Policy’s requirements into existing processes where possible, rather than developing separate artefacts and processes.
What tools and resources are available to agencies to help with Policy implementation?
An initial guidance document (Guide 1: Overview and Foundational Concepts) has been published alongside the Policy. The Guide explains the foundational concepts that agencies are expected to understand, along with the technical elements that underpin infrastructure digitalisation and data management practices. Case studies showcasing examples of digitisation in practice are also available on the Infrastructure NSW website.
Infrastructure NSW will continue to deliver implementation resources to support agencies in meeting the Policy’s requirements over the 18-month transition period.
What does the Policy mean for industry?
The Policy outlines the expectations and requirements placed on NSW Government agencies to adopt digital practices, systems and technologies to enhance productivity, service quality, and social and environmental outcomes from the infrastructure lifecycle.
While the Policy does not have a direct and immediate impact on industry, progressive implementation of Policy requirements by NSW Government agencies will likely have flow-on impacts in the way infrastructure services are expected to be delivered by suppliers.
As a key delivery partner to NSW Government agencies, industry has a major role to play in supporting the government’s objectives. This includes building and continuously improving the foundations for a technology enabled built environment to enhance community services and outcomes across NSW.
Is the Policy consistent with industry best practice?
The Policy seeks to align agency practices with internationally recognised standards, practices and frameworks. This includes ISO 19650 - Organisation and digitisation of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM). ISO 19650 is aligned with recognised practices contained within the Asset Management Standards (ISO 55001) and within the Project Management Standards (ISO 21500).
The Policy has been informed by engagement with academia, industry leaders and practitioners, along with NSW Government agencies involved in infrastructure projects.