For Government

Helping government turn research into better lives for all Australians

Every day, government invests in research to deliver real outcomes for Australians: new industries, stronger economies, safer communities, cleaner environments and better health care.

Much of that research depends on something most people never consider; secure access to the data, facilities and people behind it. That’s what the AAF provides. We connect researchers, organisations and industry to the resources they need.

From programs driving economic development, to genetic research informing new cancer treatments, AAF is the trusted link that helps helping government-funded research reach the people it’s meant to serve.

Annual benefits delivered to the community* Net benefit each year* % network availability benefit:cost ratio

*Up to figures stated in AUD $. See Measuring the Economic Value of The Australian Access Federation: A Lateral Economics Report to The Australian Access Federation for more.

AAF delivers real measurable value

An independent analysis by Lateral Economics puts a number on the impact AAF has across the sector.*

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Benefits at a glance

Federated access manages how your people reach evidence, how securely they do it, and how much admin sits behind the scenes.

Built for an Ambitious Australia
Trusted access across Australia’s research enables the discoveries that build a more prosperous future. AAF connects and protects today’s research, innovation and government services, while strengthening Australia’s digital resilience and sovereign capability.
As government moves toward digital credentials, secure data sharing and AI-enabled platforms, federated access is the identity foundation that makes that next chapter possible.
Collaboration with research, industry and the sector
Federated access helps government staff work seamlessly with researchers, universities, industry partners and research infrastructure providers; supporting innovation, public-private partnerships and collaborative programs.
This also extends to trusted collaborations with medical research institutes and not-for-profits, so complex, multi-sector challenges can draw on the full breadth of Australia’s research and industry expertise.
Better evidence helps create better policy
Government staff can securely access research infrastructure and data platforms (including NCRIS-funded facilities, research platforms and specialist national capability) bringing evidence and expertise closer to the people shaping policy and decision-making.
By simplifying this process, nationally funded and important research can be found by the people who need it and ultimately put to better use.
Faster, simpler access to what matters
Trusted access removes the friction that slows research and decision-making down. With AAF, staff, researchers and innovation partners can reach the services, data and platforms they need without lengthy registration processes or duplicated logins. This streamlines and speeds-up the process from project commencement to time-to-science.
Citizens, researchers, industry partners and government staff all move through the same smooth pathway.
Security and assurance you can trust
Authentication is managed by trusted identity providers using established security controls, including MFA and credential lifecycle management, so agencies can trust that every user has been verified by their home organisation before they reach a system.
That same trust framework extends to secure research environments, regulated datasets and protected information systems – enabling access to sensitive information while maintaining the appropriate controls.
Collaboration across government
An agreed trust framework makes it easier for agencies to collaborate on cross-government initiatives and programs; supporting the complex national projects that span multiple agencies, jurisdictions and sectors.
No matter how detailed the work – coordinated service delivery and information sharing is built in from the start.

Real outcomes for government

Cybersecurity starts with trusted access

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, protecting Australia’s research capability matters as much as enabling collaboration.

Federated access supports both. It gives the right people secure access to valuable research systems, sensitive data and IP, while cutting down the extra accounts and passwords that create unnecessary risk.

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Information Session with ARC and NHMRC

Find out more about ORCID for ARC and the NHMRC for National Research Infrastructure funded by NCRIS

Federation Connected Services Portal

Access a world of research and knowledge through our Federation Connected Services Portal

Services

Explore the AAF services working behind the scenes to connect people, identities and infrastructure across many government agencies

The Federation
The trust framework behind every secure, seamless login.
The Federation
T&I Australia
Creating a nationally connected, secure, and trusted digital ecosystem that enables trusted access to Australia’s essential national research infrastructure.
T&I Australia Program
Virtual Home
Support for people who don’t have an institutional login of their own.
Virtual Home