Tech Council of Australia

Yesterday morning, the Tech Council hosted an engaging roundtable with Chandler Morse, Vice President of Public Policy at Workday, focusing on the critical topic of AI in the workplace.   It was great to see such strong participation from our members, including representatives from SEEK, Zepto, Block, Reason Group, and Xero, alongside key stakeholders from the Australian Government's Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.   The discussion centred on AI's transformative potential and the challenges it presents, and we explored Workday's approach to AI regulation, the delicate balance between safety and maximising opportunities, strategies for effective risk mitigation, and Australia's potential for leadership in responsible AI adoption.   Thank you to Chandler for speaking and to our members for contributing their thoughts. These conversations are crucial as we navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.   #AI #TechPolicy #AustralianInnovation #TechCouncilAustralia

The Tech Council of Australia is excited to announce the second wave of speakers for the 2024 National Tech Summit, happening November 11-13 in Melbourne! We’re bringing together top leaders to tackle the key challenges shaping Australia's future as a global tech hub. Among our speakers is Amanda Anderson (USA), Head of Global Public Policy at Block, with experience in Government Affairs at Uber and as a Special Assistant to President Obama for Legislative Affairs. Also joining us is Emma Seymour, CFO of Deputy, who helped lead Deputy to unicorn status while championing women in leadership. We are also excited to welcome Mark Gibson (USA), Global Head of TMT at KPMG, who brings over 30 years of expertise working with some of the world’s largest tech companies. With more inspiring speakers to be announced, this is a tech event you won’t want to miss. Find out more about the speakers and sessions: https://lnkd.in/gAyQtxVq Early bird tickets are still available for TCA members until September 19th, general release for industry starts on September 27th! https://lnkd.in/gHUnMCyz #nationaltechsummit2024 #australiantechsector #techindustry

The Tech Council has consistently supported the modernisation of Australia’s privacy legislation to ensure it is fit-for-purpose in a digital age. We have been supportive of many of the proposals put forward in the Privacy Act Review that the Government has agreed and agreed in-principle to. The Privacy Act reforms are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to safeguard the personal information of Australians and catch up with the rest of the world. While there have been delays and uncertainty leading up to the introduction of the Privacy Bill, it is encouraging to see the Government take steps to introduce the first tranche of privacy reforms. However, the Bill that was introduced today is missing some fundamental and crucial inclusions, such as the adoption of controllers/processors, which should have been introduced as a priority. The concept of controllers and processors is a bedrock distinction in effective privacy regimes globally. Strong privacy laws will help protect the personal information of Australian citizens and work to build confidence in our digital ecosystem, at a time when it is more important than ever to get it right. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Government on the Bill’s provisions, including on Automated Decision Making, and strongly encourage the Government to undertake the next tranche of reforms with improved consultation and engagement to ensure the effectiveness of the privacy reforms. 

The TCA has partnered with Asialink Business to deliver a groundbreaking report on Australia-Asia tech connections. The new Tech Connections Series reveals that Australian investment in Asian startups has skyrocketed, contributing to an impressive $23.8 billion raised for Asian startups from 2013 to 2023.   This report, leveraging a unique dataset, explores the dynamic bidirectional linkages between Australia and Asia's tech ecosystems. It highlights the growing importance of cross-border collaboration and investment in our region's tech landscape. The research provides valuable insights into the surge in Australian investment in Asian startups, emerging trends in the Australia-Asia tech corridor, and opportunities for Australian tech companies in Asian markets.    Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gv4NFKpv   #TechInvestment #AsiaPacificTech #AustralianStartups #TechCouncilAustralia

We are pleased to welcome Adam R. as the Tech Council’s Special Adviser on National Security, on secondment from the Australian Government .   This is a new position that will deepen the Tech Council’s knowledge in a critical space and continue our close collaboration with government on issues of importance to Australia’s tech industry.   The TCA’s Special Adviser will draw on their expertise and working policy knowledge to provide guidance on national security issues related to technology, cyber security and digital transformation.   Adam will be engaging with members to understand their views, deliver high-value advice, and enhance the TCA’s work on national security issues. 

Fantastic news from our partners at the nbn® Australia!

Join the Tech Council - Australia's leading industry body representing the tech industry! We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Ecosystems Coordinator (based in Sydney) to join our team and play a critical role in creating and sharing the success of Australia’s tech community. In this position, you will help build our ecosystem by managing all inbound enquiries, application administration, member and partner administration, and facilitating effective communication for members and events. The ideal candidate will have a couple of years of experience in administration or customer service, with strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail. Proficiency in CRM systems, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams are essential. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/d-Q6xisN #TechJobs #MemberServices #AustralianTech #TechCouncilAustralia 

The Tech Council supports the Government’s commitment and efforts to keep children safe online.  Our CEO, Damian Kassabgi, said that Australian technology firms are willing to support a coordinated national response to the harms posed by social media services to young people. We support steps to address harms to young people that are evidence-based, proportionate and targeted to identified areas of risk that also deliver real results and accountability.  We believe that technology should be used effectively and safely, and we have shown that we can be leaders in the best development of technology that can enhance the lives of users and businesses in Australia and around the world.  Empowering young people to engage with technology safely will have significant benefits across our society and will improve trust in technology and the internet.  The Government’s commitment to addressing these issues presents an opportunity to work collaboratively with the tech sector to ensure these harms are addressed. The TCA and its members are committed to working with Government to facilitate solutions that address the issues posed by young people’s use of social media.   #OnlineSafety #TechForGood #TechCouncilAustralia

Today, we celebrate National TAFE Day and the crucial role TAFE plays in shaping Australia's future, particularly in the tech sector!   As highlighted in our report "Meeting the AI Skills Boom," expanding and diversifying retraining pathways is essential to address the growing demand for digital skills and tech-savvy workers. TAFE has been at the forefront of this effort, providing hands-on training and practical knowledge to meet rapidly evolving industry needs.   TAFE's commitment to practical, industry-aligned education ensures that Australians stay competitive on the global stage. By bridging the gap between education and industry requirements, TAFE is helping to build a skilled workforce ready to tackle the challenges of our digital future.   Let's celebrate the educators, students, and industry partners who make TAFE a cornerstone of Australia's tech education. Here's to continued innovation and success!   #NationalTAFEDay #TechEducation #AustralianTech #AISkills #TechCouncilAustralia   Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gQNAdrAv

The Tech Council of Australia is thrilled to congratulate SafetyCulture on their recent $AU165 million funding round! This impressive achievement, led by Airtree, values SafetyCulture at $AU2.5 billion and marks a significant milestone for the Australian tech ecosystem. SafetyCulture's success story is truly inspiring. With 85,000 businesses and nearly 2 million users worldwide, they're well on their way to reaching their ambitious goal of 100 million users by 2032. The company is pioneering AI-enhanced features for frontline workers and has expanded its team with 100 new roles in the past six months alone. We're proud to see an Australian company making such waves on the global stage, particularly in these challenging times for fundraising. SafetyCulture's commitment to innovation, employee rewards, and customer growth exemplifies the best of our tech sector. Congratulations to Luke Anear and the entire SafetyCulture team! #AustralianTech #Innovation #SafetyCulture #TechCouncilAustralia Read more here: