The Digital Investment Fund (DIF) was established as part of the 2023-24 State Budget (external site), with an initial investment of $200 million over five years to drive strategic and targeted investment in cyber security and digital initiatives across the South Australian public sector.
In the 2025–26 Budget (external site), the government expanded this commitment increasing the fund’s total value to $326.5 million.
This expanded investment establishes a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) program within the DIF and ensures ongoing future capacity for the DIF to continue driving impactful digital initiatives across government. The new AI program will support targeted AI proof of value (PoV) trials to promote the scalable use of AI across government and facilitate the development of multiple use cases on trusted foundational technologies.
The DIF is focused on:
- a more strategic approach to digital investment prioritisation and value management;
- better outcomes for government through investment in initiatives aligned to the whole of government digital strategies and technologies;
- improved opportunities for the digital sector, via a published pipeline of funded digital and AI projects; and
- improved value for money outcomes.
Eligibility and Application Process: Eligible applicants for the DIF are South Australian public authorities as defined under the Public Finance and Audit Act 1987. All funding applications must comply with the DIF application process, investment principles and governance framework to ensure transparency and accountability in project selection and funding approval. Additional information on digital and AI funding streams, including the respective application processes are available on the DIF Extranet (external site). Please note that access is restricted to South Australian government agencies and staff.
Funded Digital Initiatives: Following the establishment of the DIF a series of priority initiatives were identified and assessed for funding. Further new initiatives have since been approved for funding under the scheme, with a number of other submissions currently under assessment. Below is a list of digital initiatives funded under the DIF to date:
In-flight initiatives
| Initiative | Purpose | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Justice Information System – Sustainment and Modernisation | The initiative aims to transition the Justice Information System (JIS) off its mainframe environment to a modern platform, reducing reliance on legacy technologies, minimising operational costs, and enhancing justice-related service delivery. | Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) |
| Screening Transformation Program | The initiative is dedicated to enhancing the screening process to ensure timely and robust decisions that safeguard some of the most vulnerable members of the South Australian community. | Department of Human Services (DHS) |
| Statewide Digital Connectivity | This initiative aims to deliver a Statewide Digital Connectivity Plan, to inform strategic planning and whole-of-government decision-making for investment in digital connectivity for South Australia. This will ultimately help improve connectivity in areas within South Australia that do not have adequate coverage. | Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) |
| Stronger Cyber, Future Ready Program | This comprehensive initiative aims to significantly bolster South Australian cyber security posture, addressing existing vulnerabilities and preparing our state for future challenges. It aims to enhance cyber security resilience across the SA Government through strengthened prevention, faster and more precise incident detection and isolation, and improved capabilities to withstand and respond to cyber-attacks. | Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) |
| Reforms to Parliamentary and Other Election Systems | This initiative aims to develop a modern election management platform for all South Australian elections, with plans to support and integrate this platform into future election cycles while maintaining continuity with existing systems. | Electoral Commission South Australia (ECSA) |
| Mainframe decommissioning Program | The initiative aims to transition SA Police and justice sector agencies from an aging, mainframe platform to modern, secure, and cost-effective solutions. | South Australian Police (SAPOL) |
| Teacher’s Registration Board System Replacement | The initiative aims to implement a new registration solution to support the future growth of TRB and address the current challenges and risks associated with its current system. This overhaul of the Teachers’ Registration Board’s online system is set to improve child safety, by enabling real-time qualification and background checks on teachers, including in relation to misconduct matters. | Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (TRB) |
| Electronic Patient Care Record Solution | This initiative will provide an in ambulance electronic patient care record (ePCR) system, allowing paramedics rapid access to clinical information, including patient medical history, and enabling live sharing with hospital clinicians and the State Health Coordination Centre. The system will integrate with hospitals' electronic medical record system, streamlining workflows and enhancing communication. | South Australia Ambulance Service (SAAS) |
| Legislation Drafting and Publishing System Replacement | This initiative aims to deliver a modern legislation drafting and publishing software, addressing operational risks associated with the current legacy technology. The replacement solution will ensure the OPC has the capability to meet the state’s legislative drafting and publishing needs now and into the future. | Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC), Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) |
| KidSafe Connect – Stage 1 | The KidSafe Connect program is a comprehensive digital modernisation agenda which aims to uplift DCP’s business processes and technologies to drive improved outcomes for child protection and family support. Stage 1 of the program focuses on establishing the foundational capability and implementing early-value solutions to address critical service needs and security risks, including enhancements to the electronic Child Abuse Report Line (eCARL) and delivery of an eLog solution minimum viable product. | Department for Child Protection (DCP) |
| Data and Information Management Solution | This is the first priority initiative arising from the EPA’s Digital & ICT Strategy and Investment Roadmap, which was funded by the Digital Investment Fund. This initiative will deliver a data and information management solution to enhance EPA’s operational efficiency and provide better environmental outcomes, by improving the quality and availability of information required for decision-making, development and licence application assessments, environmental monitoring and analysis, and emergency and incident response. | Environment Protection Authority (EPA) |
| Account Based Ticketing | This initiative will deliver Phase 5 of the Next Generation Ticketing Program, which seeks to transformation the Adelaide Metro public transport ticketing system into a real-time account-based ticketing solution. Phase 5 of the program aims to simplify and modernise the passenger experience by upgrading the fare collection system to a real time solution, developing a modern digital metroCARD, concession eligibility platform and customer web portal, and expanding the EMV payment solution to concession and student fares. | Public Transport South Australia (PTSA), Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) |
| Grants Management System | This initiative aims to replace the various legacy and disparate grant systems with a modern grants management system to streamline and automate the grants and rebates processes. It leverages on the back-end solution previously developed by the Department of Human Services as part of the Funding Central initiative, and extends the solution with a front-end capability. | Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) |
Completed initiatives
| Initiative | Purpose | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Digital & ICT Strategy Investment Roadmap | The initiative delivered a Digital & ICT Strategy and Investment Roadmap, enabling the EPA to prioritise key ICT investments and drive a business-aligned digital modernisation roadmap for greater agility and efficiency. It also established a repeatable framework and playbook for other SA Government agencies to develop their own Digital & ICT Strategy. | Environment Protection Authority (EPA) |
| eBrief Digital Evidence Lodgement – Discovery Phase | This initiative aims to standardise the lodgement and management of audio, photo, and video files in their original formats for South Australian courts. The DIF has funded the discovery phase, which includes engaging stakeholders, documenting processes, defining system requirements, and building a business case for future investment in digital evidence management. | Courts Administration Authority (CAA) |
| One Stop Shop | This initiative has resulted in an improved sa.gov.au platform, simplified transaction processes, an increase in the number of services accessible on-line, and a dashboard to offer South Australians an improved online experience for accessing government services. | Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) |
| C3MS Modernisation, eCARL & eLOG Replacement | The initiative seeks to modernise and replace outdated internal management systems at DCP, which are crucial for the operations of both DCP and DHS (Youth Justice). As part of this effort, the department is currently conducting requirements discovery and market analysis. These activities will form the basis of a comprehensive transformation program aimed at developing a contemporary and adaptable systems landscape that addresses both current and future departmental needs. | Department for Child Protection (DCP) |
| Funding Central | The initiative delivered a modern and secure grants management solution to replace the various outdated legacy systems and consolidate functionalities into a single platform, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of back-office operations. A multi-agency reference group was set up to further leverage this investment for potential use across other agencies. | Department of Human Services (DHS) |
For any enquiries regarding the DIF, please contact the Department of Treasury and Finance at DigitalInvestmentFund@sa.gov.au.