Benchmark your responsible AI maturity level with a new self-assessment tool
A government-backed RAI maturity benchmark now exists - APS agencies can use it to assess gaps and support internal AI governance conversations.
Key points
- NAIC has launched a free Responsible AI Self-Assessment Tool assessing maturity across accountability, safety, fairness, transparency, and explainability.
- Only 12% of Australian organisations currently rank in the top 'leading' responsible AI maturity category, per the accompanying Responsible AI Index 2025.
- The tool produces a benchmarked maturity score and practical guidance - directly usable by APS agencies assessing their own RAI posture.
Summary
The National AI Centre (NAIC), with research by Fifth Quadrant, has released a Responsible AI Self-Assessment Tool enabling organisations to evaluate their AI practices across five dimensions: accountability, safety, fairness, transparency, and explainability. Completing a short questionnaire generates a personalised maturity report benchmarked against industry peers, placing organisations into one of four levels - emerging, developing, implementing, or leading. The accompanying Responsible AI Index 2025 reveals that only 12% of Australian organisations currently reach the leading tier. While designed for businesses broadly, the tool is directly applicable to APS agencies seeking a structured, externally benchmarked view of their responsible AI maturity.
Implications for Australian agencies
- Consider APS agencies could complete the self-assessment to generate a baseline maturity score useful for internal AI governance reporting or strategy development.
- Consider AI governance teams may want to compare the tool's five dimensions against existing agency RAI frameworks to identify gaps or alignment opportunities.
- Monitor Agencies tracking whole-of-government AI uplift may want to monitor the Responsible AI Index 2025 findings as a reference for benchmarking Australian public sector progress.
Implications are AI-generated. Starting points, not advice.
"Benchmark your responsible AI maturity level with a new self-assessment tool" Source: National AI Centre Published: 26 August 2025 URL: https://www.industry.gov.au/news/benchmark-your-responsible-ai-maturity-level-new-self-assessment-tool The National AI Centre (NAIC), with research by Fifth Quadrant, has released a Responsible AI Self-Assessment Tool enabling organisations to evaluate their AI practices across five dimensions: accountability, safety, fairness, transparency, and explainability. Completing a short questionnaire generates a personalised maturity report benchmarked against industry peers, placing organisations into one of four levels - emerging, developing, implementing, or leading. The accompanying Responsible AI Index 2025 reveals that only 12% of Australian organisations currently reach the leading tier. While designed for businesses broadly, the tool is directly applicable to APS agencies seeking a structured, externally benchmarked view of their responsible AI maturity. Implications for Australian agencies: - [Consider] APS agencies could complete the self-assessment to generate a baseline maturity score useful for internal AI governance reporting or strategy development. - [Consider] AI governance teams may want to compare the tool's five dimensions against existing agency RAI frameworks to identify gaps or alignment opportunities. - [Monitor] Agencies tracking whole-of-government AI uplift may want to monitor the Responsible AI Index 2025 findings as a reference for benchmarking Australian public sector progress. Retrieved from SIMS, 18 May 2026.