AI Governance Council Australia

Independent AI Governance Readiness and Risk Assessment

About AI Governance Council Australia

AI Governance Council Australia (AIGC) provides independent AI governance readiness assessment and governance risk and control review for Australian organisations. We help reduce AI risk, protect boards and executives, and meet Australia's evolving AI governance expectations.

Our Mission

To establish trusted, independent standards for responsible AI deployment in Australia, protecting organisations and the public from AI-related harms while enabling innovation.

Why AI Governance Matters

  • Board and Executive Liability: Directors face increasing personal exposure for AI decisions
  • Procurement Requirements: Major contracts now require evidence of AI governance
  • Insurance and Risk Transfer: Insurers are scrutinising AI practices in underwriting
  • Regulatory Trajectory: Australian regulation is intensifying across sectors

Our Services

AI Governance Assessment

Comprehensive independent assessment of your AI systems, policies, and risk management practices. We identify legal, ethical, and operational risks before they become problems. Our assessment includes technical review, policy analysis, risk identification, gap analysis, and a detailed remediation roadmap.

Governance Readiness - Early Stage

Foundational governance readiness assessment for organisations with early stage or pilot AI use. Demonstrates your commitment to responsible AI development from the start. Includes governance framework review and basic policy assessment.

Governance Readiness - Operational

For organisations with AI in production. Confirms active governance controls, monitoring processes, and risk management procedures are in place. Includes comprehensive system assessment, operational review, and ongoing monitoring requirements.

Governance Maturity Evaluation - Full Governance

Comprehensive governance maturity evaluation for organisations with high-risk or regulated AI use. Provides maximum assurance and oversight for critical sectors including healthcare, financial services, and government. Includes complete governance audit, ongoing oversight, and annual reassessment.

Our Role

We provide independent assessment and governance risk identification. Implementation remains the responsibility of the organisation or its advisors.

Assessment Levels

Our three-tier assessment framework matches your organisation's AI maturity and risk profile:

Level 1: Early Stage

For organisations with early stage or pilot AI use. Scope: Basic governance framework, foundational policies. Requirements: Board awareness, documented policies, basic risk assessment. Timeline: 4-6 weeks. Cost: $8,500 + GST.

Level 2: Operational

For organisations with AI in production. Scope: Active governance controls, monitoring processes. Requirements: Operational policies, risk management procedures, incident response. Timeline: 6-8 weeks. Cost: $15,000 + GST.

Level 3: Full Governance

For high-risk or regulated AI deployments. Scope: Comprehensive governance, ongoing oversight. Requirements: Complete governance framework, board oversight, continuous monitoring. Timeline: 8-12 weeks. Cost: Custom pricing.

Our Methodology

Our AI governance assessment methodology is built on five core principles: independence, evidence-based assessment, risk-based approach, Australian context, and practical implementation. We assess across six governance domains: strategy and accountability, risk management, data governance, model governance, transparency and explainability, and monitoring and review.

Governance Framework

Our governance framework is designed for Australian organisations deploying AI systems. It provides structured guidance across all critical governance domains while remaining flexible enough to adapt to your specific context.

Framework Components

  • Governance Structure: Board oversight, executive accountability, governance committees
  • Risk Management: Risk assessment processes, mitigation strategies, incident response
  • Data Governance: Data quality, privacy protection, security controls
  • Model Governance: Development standards, validation processes, change management
  • Operational Controls: Monitoring systems, performance metrics, audit trails
  • Transparency: Documentation standards, explainability requirements, stakeholder communication

Ethics and Independence

Independence is fundamental to our assessment process. We maintain strict separation from consulting services, technology vendors, and commercial interests that could compromise our assessments.

Our Independence Commitments

  • No commercial relationships with assessed organisations beyond the assessment engagement
  • Assessors have no financial interest in assessment outcomes
  • Transparent methodology available for public review
  • Regular external audits of our assessment processes
  • Clear complaints and appeals procedures

Priority Sectors

We focus on sectors where AI risk exposure and regulatory scrutiny are highest:

Healthcare

AI in diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient care requires rigorous governance to protect patient safety and meet regulatory requirements.

Financial Services

AI in lending, fraud detection, and investment decisions faces intense regulatory scrutiny and poses significant liability risks.

Government

AI in public services, law enforcement, and decision-making must balance efficiency with fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Resources

We provide comprehensive resources to help Australian organisations understand and implement AI governance:

  • Australian Government AI Ethics Principles
  • NIST AI Risk Management Framework
  • EU AI Act Overview
  • ISO/IEC AI Standards
  • Industry-specific AI guidance
  • AI governance templates and checklists

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AI governance readiness assessment?

An AI governance readiness assessment is an independent evaluation process that confirms an organisation has implemented appropriate policies, controls, and accountability structures for responsible AI deployment.

Why do organisations need AI governance?

AI governance helps organisations reduce board and executive liability, meet procurement requirements, manage insurance exposure, protect reputation, and address increasing regulatory scrutiny.

What are the risks of not implementing AI governance?

Without proper AI governance, organisations face board and executive liability, procurement rejection, increased insurance costs, reputational damage, and regulatory enforcement action.

How long does an AI governance assessment take?

Timeline varies based on assessment level: Early Stage (4-6 weeks), Operational (6-8 weeks), Full Governance (8-12 weeks).

What assessment level do I need?

Choose Early Stage for initial AI use, Operational for AI in production, or Full Governance for high-risk AI deployments.

Is AIGC government-affiliated?

No, we are an independent organisation. While we align with Australian Government AI guidance, we maintain complete independence.

Contact Information

Request an AI risk assessment or executive briefing. We respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.

Email: info@aigcaustralia.com.au

Location: Australia

Available for: AI governance assessments, governance risk and control reviews, executive briefings, speaking engagements

AI Governance Council Australia

Become an AIGC Governance Assessor

Independent Governance Assessor Appointment

Appointment is selective and subject to structured panel approval.

This is a professional authorisation, not employment. Assessors are appointed to conduct assessments on behalf of AIGC and may not deliver assessments independently.

The role

AIGC Assessors are independent professionals who conduct AI governance maturity assessments under our framework. Every assessment follows the same methodology, independence protocols, and quality checks -- so organisations get consistent, credible results.

We provide independent assessment and governance risk identification. Implementation remains the responsibility of the organisation or its advisors.

Who we're looking for

We appoint experienced governance professionals. You should bring:

  • 7+ years in governance, risk, audit, compliance, or ethics (10+ preferred)
  • Experience working at or reporting to board or executive level
  • Solid understanding of governance maturity assessment
  • A track record of professional independence
  • No conflicts of interest with proposed engagements

What you can and cannot do

You are authorised to

  • Conduct governance maturity assessments using AIGC methodology
  • Prepare draft assessment reports for AIGC review
  • Participate in calibration and quality assurance
  • Use AIGC materials for authorised assessments

You are not authorised to

  • Deliver assessments independently outside AIGC
  • Provide consulting or remediation to assessed organisations
  • Use or commercialise AIGC methodology or framework
  • Solicit other services from assessed organisations
  • Represent yourself as an AIGC assessment panel member

How it works

Appointments run on a two-year cycle. Assessors are engaged as needed to conduct governance maturity assessments.

  • Engagements are allocated based on client need, your availability, sector expertise, and independence requirements
  • Appointment does not guarantee a minimum volume of work
  • You conduct assessments and prepare draft reports -- AIGC reviews and finalises
  • Final assessment decisions sit with AIGC's Assessment Panel

What we expect

Every assessment must follow a structured methodology. As an assessor, you will:

  • Maintain evidence registers documenting all assessment materials and findings
  • Document pillar-by-pillar scoring with clear rationale for each maturity rating
  • Complete quality assurance and peer review for every assessment
  • Participate in annual calibration to keep scoring consistent
  • Follow data security protocols and securely delete materials after completion

Independence requirements

Conflict disclosure

You must disclose any potential conflicts before accepting an engagement. If independence cannot be maintained, you step aside. This is non-negotiable.

Non-solicitation

24-month cooling-off period: you cannot solicit or accept consulting work from organisations you have assessed, even after your appointment ends.

Confidentiality

All client information and assessment materials are strictly confidential. Unauthorised disclosure is grounds for immediate revocation.

Framework protection

The AIGC methodology and framework cannot be replicated, adapted, or used commercially outside your AIGC appointment.

Performance and renewal

We monitor quality throughout your appointment. To stay active, you need to:

  • Complete annual professional development in AI governance or related areas
  • Accept quality assurance feedback on your assessment reports
  • Participate in formal performance reviews at midpoint and end of your term

Serious breaches of independence or quality standards may lead to suspension or revocation of appointment.

Engagement and fees

Assessors are independent contractors, engaged per assessment. Key terms:

  • Fixed fees per engagement, based on scope and complexity
  • No outcome-linked bonuses or performance incentives -- independence comes first
  • Limits on concurrent engagements to protect quality
  • Professional indemnity insurance required (minimum coverage confirmed at appointment)

How to apply

1

Submit your application

Complete the form below with your experience, qualifications, and sector expertise.

2

Questionnaire and interview

If shortlisted, you complete a governance competency questionnaire and a structured interview focused on methodology and independence.

3

Panel decision

An independent appointment panel reviews all applications. Successful applicants receive formal appointment documentation and join the assessor register.

Application form

Please use your professional email address.

Minimum coverage requirements will be confirmed at appointment stage.

By submitting this application, you consent to AIGC Australia reviewing your credentials and contacting you regarding your assessor appointment.