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

Governance Charter

Q: How long does an AI governance assessment take?

The assessment process involves five stages: governance review, policy alignment, independent assessment, maturity determination, and governance uplift roadmap. Timeline varies based on organisation size, AI complexity, and current governance maturity.

Q: What assessment level do I need?

Choose Early Stage assessment for initial or pilot AI use, Operational assessment for AI in production, or Full Governance assessment for high-risk or regulated AI deployments. An initial consultation can help determine the appropriate level.

Public summary of AIGC Australia's internal governance structure and decision-making model.

Version 1.0Effective Date: 1 July 2025

Independent private sector body. AIGC Australia is not a government agency and does not exercise governmental or statutory authority. This Charter is a summary document intended for public reference.

Purpose of the Charter

This Charter outlines the governance structure, independence safeguards, and decision-making authority within AI Governance Council Australia. It establishes the roles and responsibilities of AIGC's governance bodies and the principles under which assessment and advisory functions operate.

Organisational Structure

AIGC Australia operates through four distinct governance and operational roles:

Governance Lead

Responsible for overall organisational direction, governance policy, and operational oversight. The Governance Lead ensures that AIGC's activities remain consistent with its stated objectives and governance commitments.

Review Panel

The body responsible for determining assessment outcomes following independent assessment. The Review Panel reviews assessment findings and determines assessment outcomes based on documented criteria.

Advisory Council

Provides strategic guidance on framework development, assessment methodology, and governance practices. The Advisory Council does not participate in individual assessment outcomes.

Qualified Assessors

Independent practitioners engaged to conduct governance assessments against AIGC's published framework. Assessors operate under strict independence and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Assessment outcomes are determined by the Review Panel following independent review. No single individual holds unilateral authority over assessment outcomes. The Review Panel operates independently of advisory and commercial functions.

Separation of Functions

AIGC maintains structural separation between its core functions to preserve the integrity of assessment outcomes:

Advisory services

General guidance on governance readiness and framework interpretation. Advisory engagements are conducted separately from assessment activities.

Assessment functions

Independent evaluation of an organisation's AI governance practices against AIGC's published criteria. Assessors do not provide implementation advice during the assessment process.

Assessment outcomes

Determinations made by the Review Panel based on assessment evidence. Assessment outcomes are independent of advisory engagements.

Advisory engagements do not influence assessment outcomes. Organisations that receive advisory services are assessed under the same criteria and processes as all other applicants.

Conflict of Interest Management

All individuals involved in AIGC's governance, assessment, and advisory functions are subject to conflict-of-interest declaration requirements:

Assessors

Required to declare any current or prior commercial, advisory, or personal relationship with an organisation under assessment. Assessors must recuse themselves where a conflict exists or is reasonably perceived.

Panel members

Required to declare interests before participating in assessment deliberations. Panel members with a declared conflict are excluded from the relevant determination.

Advisory Council members

Required to declare any material interests that may affect their advisory contributions. Members recuse themselves from discussions involving organisations with which they hold a commercial relationship.

Decision-Making Authority

Assessment outcomes are evidence-based, determined by the Review Panel following review of assessment findings against AIGC's published governance criteria.

Panel decisions are final within AIGC's internal processes. Subject only to the published Complaints and Appeals procedure.

All assessment outcomes are documented, including the basis for the determination, and retained in accordance with AIGC's records management requirements.

Transparency and Accountability

AIGC is committed to transparency in its governance practices and accountability for its assessment activities:

Public documentation

AIGC's governance framework, assessment methodology, and assessment criteria are publicly documented and available for review.

Complaints and appeals

A formal complaints and appeals process is maintained for parties affected by assessment outcomes or AIGC's conduct.

Assessment register

A public assessment register records current assessment holders and the status of their governance assessment.

Professional conduct

All assessors and panel members are bound by AIGC's Code of Professional Conduct.

Review of Charter

This Charter is approved by the Governance Lead and subject to periodic review to ensure that AIGC's governance structures and processes remain appropriate, effective, and consistent with the organisation's commitment to governance discipline. Amendments are made as necessary to reflect changes in organisational structure, operating environment, or governance expectations.

AI Governance Council Australia is an independent private sector governance assessment body.

Related governance information

Explore AIGC's governance framework and ethical commitments.

View governance framework Ethics and independence