5.2: Smart cards
Assist Australian Government agencies who want to implement multi‑application smartcard technology and ensure interoperability
through agreed standards.
Other Information:
The term ‘smart card’ has been used to describe a class of credit card-sized chip devices with varying capabilities such as
stored-value cards, contact-less cards and integrated circuit cards (ICC). These differ in functionality, both from each other
and from the more familiar magnetic-stripe cards. The ICC (more commonly known as the ‘chip card’ or ‘smart card’) provides
a toolbox of enhanced capabilities for functions such as access control, payment, information storage, management tools and
multiple applications. Smart card technology will allow people to access multiple government services more securely, either
in-person or online, essentially by providing them with their own miniature computer. The Australian Government, through AGIMO,
is developing a smart card framework for how government agencies can use smart card technology. The primary objectives are
to assist Australian Government agencies who want to implement multi‑application smartcard technology and ensure interoperability
through agreed standards. Establishing an interoperable multi-application smart card environment across the Australian public
sector requires agencies to support and commit to the following principles: interoperability, open government system framework,
open standards, choice and flexibility. The framework will be part of the blueprint for connected government, discussed in
section 3.2, and in more detail in Appendix A. The states and territories will be consulted through the Cross Jurisdictional
Chief Information Officer Committee of the Online and Communications Council to ensure smart card interoperability across
all levels of government.
Indicator(s):
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