Australia’s national benchmark for responsible AI adoption is now available
Australia's national RAI maturity benchmark gives agencies a sector-wide baseline to compare their own responsible AI posture against.
Key points
- The Responsible AI Index 2025, sponsored by the National AI Centre, tracks RAI maturity across five dimensions.
- Only 12% of Australian organisations are 'leading' in responsible AI adoption, up 4% from 2024.
- A self-assessment tool is now available, allowing organisations to benchmark their RAI maturity against peers.
Summary
The Responsible AI Index 2025, developed by Fifth Quadrant and sponsored by the National AI Centre, is now in its fourth year and assesses Australian organisations across five RAI dimensions: accountability, safety, fairness, transparency, and explainability. Results show 12% of organisations are 'leading', with most still in developing or emerging stages. Organisations with over four years of AI experience report tangible benefits including improved customer experience and productivity gains. A complementary self-assessment tool has been released, enabling organisations to benchmark their RAI maturity and receive tailored guidance.
Implications for Australian agencies
- Consider APS agencies developing or reviewing AI governance frameworks could use the index's five dimensions and maturity levels as a reference point for internal assessments.
- Consider Agencies supporting AI uplift programs may want to explore whether the Fifth Quadrant self-assessment tool is suitable for use by staff or referenced in departmental AI strategy materials.
- Monitor Policy teams tracking Australia's AI maturity landscape may want to monitor year-on-year index trends as a proxy indicator for sector-wide RAI progress.
Implications are AI-generated. Starting points, not advice.
"Australia’s national benchmark for responsible AI adoption is now available" Source: National AI Centre Published: 26 August 2025 URL: https://www.industry.gov.au/news/australias-national-benchmark-responsible-ai-adoption-now-available The Responsible AI Index 2025, developed by Fifth Quadrant and sponsored by the National AI Centre, is now in its fourth year and assesses Australian organisations across five RAI dimensions: accountability, safety, fairness, transparency, and explainability. Results show 12% of organisations are 'leading', with most still in developing or emerging stages. Organisations with over four years of AI experience report tangible benefits including improved customer experience and productivity gains. A complementary self-assessment tool has been released, enabling organisations to benchmark their RAI maturity and receive tailored guidance. Implications for Australian agencies: - [Consider] APS agencies developing or reviewing AI governance frameworks could use the index's five dimensions and maturity levels as a reference point for internal assessments. - [Consider] Agencies supporting AI uplift programs may want to explore whether the Fifth Quadrant self-assessment tool is suitable for use by staff or referenced in departmental AI strategy materials. - [Monitor] Policy teams tracking Australia's AI maturity landscape may want to monitor year-on-year index trends as a proxy indicator for sector-wide RAI progress. Retrieved from SIMS, 18 May 2026.