Home Affairs Releases Voluntary Data Classification Framework For Australian Organisations

The Australian Government has released a new voluntary framework that gives organisations a standardised way to classify, protect and share their data.

The Industry Data Classification Framework, or IDCF, sets out to help Australian businesses understand what data they hold, assess the risks that come with it and put the right security measures in place.

It is designed to work for organisations of all sizes, from small-medium enterprises through to large organisations, and aligns with existing standards so that businesses do not need to start from scratch.

The framework was developed in partnership with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, as a deliverable under the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy and falls within Horizon 2 of that plan, which runs from 2026 to 2028.

Building consistency across industry

One of the framework’s primary goals is to create a consistent approach to data classification across Australian industry.

Organisations handle data classification in a variety of ways, with differing levels of maturity and varying approaches to risk. The IDCF is intended to provide a common language and set of practices that can be adopted regardless of where a business sits on that spectrum.

The framework covers four core areas: helping organisations understand the value of their data, identify and manage data risks, apply appropriate protections and share data with confidence.

Because it aligns with existing standards, organisations that have already invested in data security practices should be able to integrate the IDCF without overhauling their current processes.

Flexible by design

The Department of Home Affairs has said the IDCF draws on research and consultation with industry across Australia.

It is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate organisations at different stages of their data security journey. A small business beginning to think about data classification for the first time should be able to adopt the framework just as readily as a large enterprise with well-established data handling practices.

Its voluntary nature means businesses can adopt it at their own pace and tailor it to their specific circumstances. The framework is not a compliance requirement but rather a set of guidelines that organisations can use to lift their data governance posture.

What the framework aims to deliver

The Department of Home Affairs First Assistant Secretary for Counter Foreign Interference, Cyber and Technology, Greta Doherty, described the IDCF as “an important outcome” of the national cyber security strategy that would help Australian organisations understand the value of the data they hold.

Data is “an important source of growth for the Australian economy,” Doherty remarked, adding that it helps organisations make better decisions and improve their products and services.

The IDCF would help Australian industry strengthen data governance practices, share data with confidence and open up opportunities for innovation and collaboration, she added.

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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by Nick Ross