Case studies

Addressing the digital divide between rural and metropolitan NSW public schools

The Rural Access Gap program was set up to address the growing digital divide between metropolitan and rural, regional and remote public schools in NSW. The program, supported by the Digital Restart fund, aimed to provide schools with learning and education opportunities equivalent to their metropolitan counterparts, through modern IT equipment, collaboration tools and professional learning, and upgraded infrastructure to provide faster and more reliable internet access.

Offering an easier way to securely verify your identity online and in-person

NSW Digital ID allows customers to securely store and use their credentials to verify their identity online and in-person. 

Using advanced technologies, NSW Digital ID ensures privacy and ease of use, giving individuals full control over their digital identity.

Multi-award winning project: Creating cooler parks and gardens for our communities to enjoy, using smart water irrigation systems at Bicentennial Park

SIMPaCT uses machine learning and smart technology to cool the microclimate, using data sourced from a mix of environmental sensors. A network of sensors has been set up to record soil moisture and air temperature. The information will be used to fine-tune irrigation at the park using artificial intelligence (AI). Insights will be shared online so that park users will be able to find the coolest and shadiest places in the park for picnics, play and exercise. In addition, SIMPaCT helps mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect in the adjacent residential precincts. 

SIMPaCT focuses on making the park a 'cool island', with far reaching thermal benefits for communities downwind from the park.

This project has set up over 50 devices to measure temperature and humidity. There are also 13 weather stations and over 200 ‘smart-soil’ devices installed across the park.

Technology Roadmap 2025-2029

Water agencies (Water NSW, NRAR and DCCEEW) have developed a joint Technology Roadmap.  The Roadmap brings together four (4) business improvement strategies that will benefit customers and deliver efficiencies:

1. Water Market System redesigns each water user transaction process to be quicker, cheaper and online through a more connected system available to all 3 water agencies.
2. Water Shared Data Management and Governance will transform data information systems to a higher standard and deliver a central point of truth, while fixing current systemic access and data quality issues.
3. Water Compliance System builds technical interfaces between NRAR’s water compliance management system and various WaterNSW systems.  This will make water compliance more efficient.
4. Customer Metering Solution builds modern technology that will link on farm and back-office technology to make information available in near real time on a users’ device and to compliance officers and resource managers out in the field

The Process and Technology Harmonisation Program

Consolidating multiple finance and technology systems to simplify our corporate and shared service system and support through the Process and Technology Harmonisation (PaTH) program.

Actionable strategies to enhance security and reduce costs by reducing legacy technology in NSW

Digital NSW have completed a State of NSW Legacy Report, which will help address the challenge of ensuring agencies have the right technology to meet their objectives through actionable strategies to enhance security, reduce costs and guide investments to reduce legacy technology.

Building strong digital foundations

The State Digital Assets (SDA) Reuse Policy promotes and governs the reuse of SDAs across all NSW Government portfolios and agencies. SDAs are digital solutions used by more than one NSW Government agency and encompass applications, technology infrastructure and data. They are the building blocks of efficient, proactive, customised and seamless government services.

Using AI to revolutionise road maintenance and operations

Asset AI® is helping the NSW Government and local councils make roads safer by using near-real-time data to streamline road maintenance tasks.

Sensors and cameras are fixed to council vehicles to collect information about the roads. This data is then analysed using artificial intelligence. The insights will help find and fix problems on the roads faster, making them safer for drivers and pedestrians.

Testing innovative technology to improve public safety in crowded places

Funded by the Digital Restart Fund (DRF), the Creating Safer Crowded Places project is an example of the NSW Government’s commitment to using innovative technology to drive real impact in the community. This innovative platform draws data from the CCTV network, social media, and environmental systems to generate insights on crowd behaviour and mood while ensuring visitor anonymity.

Land iQ is designed to improve the planning system by helping NSW government agencies make faster, smarter decisions about the use of land

It’s a living platform designed to continue to evolve and adapt to the future needs of users, leveraging new digital resources as they become available. It’s available to NSW Government agencies while we continue to refine the tool and develop license options to make it available to other levels of government, councils, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, researchers and industry.

• Data library – A comprehensive spatial and government data library including typology assumptions sourced from relevant delivery entities (e.g. School Infrastructure, Health Infrastructure, Landcom).
• Site search – Advanced multiple-criteria site searching including ownership, size, planning controls, and proximity to services, infrastructure, amenities, constraints and more.
• Geocentric analysis – A comprehensive analysis of a particular location against benchmarks and other geographies.
• Scenario planning – Land use scenario analysis to understand impact of change in use across social, economic, environmental and financial metrics.

Trialling a purpose-built AI tool for educational use in schools

The NSW Department of Education has developed NSWEduChat, a purpose-built generative AI tool for educational use in schools. NSWEduChat is currently the safest and most cost-effective generative AI tool available for our schools and staff. NSWEduChat is based in our own cloud environment in Sydney, Australia, data is secure, caters to the NSW educational context and aligns to the NSW AI Assessment Framework.

Key features of NSWEduChat include advanced safeguards, such as content filtering, topic restriction, and moderation, to ensure a safe learning environment. The tool encourages critical thinking by guiding students to reason through questions rather than providing direct answers, fostering a deeper understanding of educational material. 

Supported by Professional Learning resources and technical assistance, the trial will be closely monitored to inform the future direction of AI integration in NSW public schools. This initiative reflects a commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and the ethical use of AI.

Supporting older people in NSW with access to low-cost or free digital literacy training

This NSW Government initiative, in partnership with Telstra, provides low cost or free training sessions for older people to build confidence using online services. The low-cost or free digital literacy training at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels includes the use of computers, tablets, smartphones and online applications such as email, social media and cyber safety. Digital inclusion helps seniors to be active and independent members of their immediate and broader communities.

Breaking down barriers to digital inclusion

The NSW Government is developing the first Digital Inclusion Strategy in our state. The strategy aims to ensure everyone in NSW can access, afford, and engage with digital technologies and services. The strategy will address challenges and provide support regardless of location, age, race, gender identity, socio-economic status or disability.

The Digital Inclusion Strategy aims to support the 60% of Australians who feel they can’t keep up with rapid changes in technology.

Making digital connectivity throughout the state world-leading, affordable and resilient

The NSW Digital Connectivity Index, launched by the NSW Telco Authority with support from the Department of Customer Service Spatial Services, is an interactive map measuring digital connectivity quality through access, affordability, and demographics, using 220 million datasets. It helps government agencies and communities make informed decisions, prioritise digital inclusion, and guide infrastructure investments.

An index score measures the quality of digital connectivity in an area. The higher the score, the more favourable the conditions of digital activities are in an area. NSW has an overall index score of 55. 

Helping people build and buy digital products and services that everyone can use

The Accessibility and Inclusivity Toolkit can be used by agencies and communities to make sure digital products and services meet accessibility guidelines, so everyone can access them. This promotes inclusivity, equal access to information and digital opportunities.