Data and technology are changing how Australians live, work and prosper. Australians expect governments to meet the highest standards of service delivery; to protect their data, privacy and security; to offer a wide choice in accessing services; and to account for diverse needs.

The Australian Digital Council (ADC) was established in September 2018 to facilitate and drive better cross-government collaboration on data and digital transformation, and to create better services and policy outcomes for all Australians.

On 9 August 2019, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to streamline the Ministerial Council system. In recognition of the critical role of data and technology, COAG elevated the ADC to the COAG level as the Australian Data and Digital Council.

Membership of the Council is made up of one ministerial representative from each State and Territory with responsibility for data and/or digital matters and chaired by the Commonwealth Minister for Government Services.