Initiative

Plan an NT Government open data portal that makes government datasets available to the community online through a single, user friendly portal.

Overview

Scope an NT Government open data portal for publishing high value government datasets in a central location. This will make data easily accessible for Territorians, researchers and businesses to use to innovate and create new business opportunities.

There are around 500 NT Government datasets already publicly available, although they are in different locations and of varying quality.

Preparatory work will progress over 2018-19 to register datasets and enable government agencies to be ready for the portal which is scheduled for 2020.

Benefits

An open data portal will improve accountability and facilitate digital innovation by allowing digital creators to freely use government data for new apps and digital services.

The portal will make it easier for interested users to find and access NT Government data free of charge.

Government will release an open data policy before establishing a central portal to set the parameters for agencies and inform data users.

2019 progress update

The NT Government Open Data Portal was launched on 24 May 2019, earlier than scheduled.

At its launch the portal had 250 datasets published, allowing industry and the community to analyse non-sensitive data and join it with other data sources to gain new insights and enhance services. Datasets will continue to be added as they become available for publication from agencies.

Initiative

Investigate ways to deliver free and open access to data from the City of Darwin.

Overview

The community data exchange is live. The City of Darwin has published live data from Environmental sensors and Assets. Other stakeholders such as NT Airports and Tourism NT have contributed datasets into the exchange.

Benefits

Encouraging efficient and innovative service delivery across the Territory.

Initiative

Scope potential to establish a joint Cyber Security Centre and a Cyber Growth Node presence in Darwin, involving the Australian Government and AustCyber.

Overview

The Australian Government is progressing joint cyber security centres in key capital cities. This involves national and state governments and local industry working together to strengthen cyber security across the nation.

AusCyber works with governments to establish Cyber Security Growth Nodes across Australia focused on research to support and grow cyber capability for key industry sectors.

The NT Government is progressing discussions with the Australian Government to set up a smaller scale joint cyber security presence and aligned cyber security growth node capacity for Darwin through regular specialist visitation, local research and advice to industry.

Benefits

The Territory will participate actively in national programs and partnerships to strengthen cyber security. This will improve protection of digital data and systems from cyber criminals, which will help to minimise business disruption, reputation damage and costs that follow cyber-attacks.

2019 progress update

Discussions are underway with the Australian Government about setting up a modified joint Cyber Security Centre in Darwin. The Joint Cyber Security Centre is likely to be supported by expert resources from Canberra providing regular presentations on emerging cyber security issues.

Initiative

Territory ingenuity shines through with EnviroSys.

Overview

EnviroSys is a niche environmental management software solution developed locally by SRA Information Technology.

The software is being used internationally by some of the world's largest resource companies. SRA has expanded its operations interstate and overseas.

Benefits

The company has been recognised for its innovative and dynamic approach to digital innovation through a string of industry awards, including most recently the 2017 Australian Export Environmental Solutions Award.

Initiative

Online licensing system that enables professions and industries requiring a license to trade can now lodge and manage applications digitally.

Overview

Professions and industries that need a license to trade can submit and manage their license applications online.

Growth in the number of services available online is being driven by the government's movement to a digital first approach.

Benefits

People can lodge license applications online at any time, increasing convenience and reducing their costs.

A streamlined application and approval process boosts productivity and provides better tracking for government.

Initiative

Support the AgTech solutions to improve productivity.

Overview

Exploring opportunities to support the Douglas Daly region 'agtech' solutions to improve productivity.

Benefits

Support for the agricultural sector to maximise digital opportunities and improve efficiency and productivity.

Initiative

Showcasing Territory talent, the LightSPEE3D printer is a world-first commercial 3D printer that was co-invented in the Territory.

Overview

The LightSPEE3D forms the centrepiece of a new industrial research hub based at Charles Darwin University (CDU). The hub was facilitated through a partnership between the NT Government, CDU and the Singapore University of Technology and Design.

Benefits

Local digital innovators will benefit from the CDU research hub and partnering with internationally recognised research bodies to increase capability in the NT. Local businesses will have access to advanced manufacturing technology to reduce production time and costs.

Initiative

The joint NT Government/NT ICT Industry Association Working Group will identify and progress actions to increase collaboration between government and the ICT sector.

Overview

The NT ICT Industry Association has advocated to government on a range of issues, seeking changes that will improve outcomes for association members.

A joint working group is progressing an open dialogue to examine the issues and seek options for collaborative outcomes.

Mutually agreed approaches and tasks, including a revised Industry Engagement Plan, will be jointly developed over 2018.

Benefits

Government agencies and the ICT Industry Association will share knowledge and ideas to be better aligned and find ways to enhance local industry opportunities from government business and programs.

Overall benefits can accrue through efficient cost effective government services and growth of a competitive and capable local digital industry.

Re-establishing an Industry Engagement Plan will provide more certainty and assist industry planning.

2019 progress update

The joint NTG/NT ICT Industry Association Working Group is progressing actions to increase collaboration between government and the local ICT sector. An ICT industry engagement guide for NT Government agencies has been drafted and a contemporary guide for the ICT industry to engage with NT Government agencies is proposed for development.

A planned independent review of government procurement of ICT services in 2019 is anticipated to inform further actions for the working group to examine.

Initiative

Translate the official tourism website northernterritory.com into five international languages and develop ability to automatically translate content.

Overview

The official tourism website, https://northernterritory.com is being translated into five international languages including:

• French
• Italian
• German
• Japanese
• Chinese (traditional) and
• Chinese (simplified).

Tourism NT will develop an automated translation solution that will ensure that translations stay up to date when new content is created.

Benefits

Tourism is an important economic driver for the NT and a significant industry in regional areas. Publishing tourism information in multiple languages will make this NT tourism content accessible to non-English speakers.

Initiative

Support local businesses to expand their digital capability, to use digital technology and transformation to improve their business, grow their workforce and be competitive.

Overview

The government's Business Upskills Workshops will expand their focus to include digital transformation to assist Territory businesses to be competitive.

Benefits

It is becoming essential for businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to have a digital presence and use digital technologies to improve and sustain their operations.

NT business owners can attend any of the free workshops to become more digitally confident and knowledgeable. The workshops will guide businesses with their digital journeys to facilitate business improvement.

2019 progress update

In 2018-19, five Upskills Workshops were held with 140 Attendees discussing advanced social media, marketing online and developing an effective website.

A recent external evaluation of the program showed that the most significant number of attendees across all Upskills workshops were those in Advanced Social Media and Developing an Effective Website.

2019-20 Upskills procurement is currently being developed based on attendee feedback, consultant feedback and the external review.

TreeTi Business Consulting is delivering the Australian Small Business Advisory Services – Digital Solutions. They are providing one-on-one advisory support, interactive webinars and workshops in four key areas of:

• website and online selling
• using small business software
• social media and digital marketing
• online security and data privacy.

Department of Trade, Business and Innovation has a cross-referral system in place with the company to support businesses on the digital journey.

Initiative

Communications infrastructure for the space Industry.

Overview

Supporting development of the space industry in the Territory through investment in digital infrastructure.

Benefits

The growing space industries near Nhulunbuy will provide local benefit and seed a new industry in the Territory.

Initiative

Revise the ICT Services Contracting Model used for sourcing NT Government ICT services to meet government needs and encourage local participation.

Overview

The NT Government has a central approach for sourcing ICT services that provides scale, consistency and efficient outcomes while encouraging and facilitating strong local industry involvement.

Following industry, supplier and agency consultation, a revised model was developed in 2016. Stakeholder engagement for the next iteration of the model will commence in 2018-19.

Benefits

This model is re-examined and refined regularly to ensure it is meeting government's needs, focusing on local industry participation and aligning with the digital business environment.

Government ICT Services contracts managed by DCIS provide substantial local employment benefits, with 255 locally-based workers delivering services to government and over 90% of contracts held by Territory enterprises.

2019 progress update

Extensive engagement with industry is conducted prior to the renewal of each major ICT services contract including workshops, release of concept papers and publication of draft tender scopes of work.

Enhancements adopted for the most recent contracts include simplified contract terms and conditions, streamlined contract management and compliance reporting, with an increased emphasis on service performance and less focus on resource levels for service-based contracts.

Initiative

Establish a commercial satellite ground station at CfAT Ltd Heath Road property, Alice Springs.

Overview

CfAT Satellite Enterprises Pty Ltd (CfATSE) will build and own a satellite ground-station comprising two 7.3m antennas.

Commercial operation will be licenced to Viasat Inc. The ground station will form part of Viasat's Real Time Earth business, a network of nine ground-stations globally, providing low latency earth observation satellite data.

Benefits

The development highlights the market potential of Central Australia for commercial enterprises of this nature and will deliver significant income to the Centre for Appropriate Technology, providing ongoing jobs for local Indigenous employees, and contracts for local businesses during the $800,000 facility construction phase.

Initiative

eConveyancing service for land titles.

Overview

Plan the introduction of an eConveyancing service that will allow online transfers of land titles.

Benefits

The Land Titles Office is developing a plan to introduce eConveyancing in the NT.

This will improve accessibility of property transactions, removing the need for many paper based lodgements at the Land Titles Office and move the NT towards a nationally agreed approach, implementing electronic conveyancing services.

Initiative

Consider approaches that will attract skilled digital professionals to the Territory in line with the NT Population Strategy and supplement the digital workforce.

Overview

The Population Strategy identifies a clear economic need to increase the Northern Territory's population.

Additionally, the Australian Computer Society projects ICT job growth in the NT of close to 2.9% each year for at least six years.

While digital skills development programs will improve capacity over the longer term, there is a need to supplement the local skills base in the near term to meet demand and extend capability.

Government's major digital transformation programs can assist to leverage skills expansion by bringing highly skilled ICT workers to the NT for periods of three to four years, providing valuable opportunities to upskill locally-based ICT professionals.

Benefits

Increasing digital professionals in the NT will benefit the local digital industry through increased access to more highly skilled resources, upskilling and boosting knowledge sharing.

The Territory economy will also benefit through increases in population, skills base and capability.

2019 progress update

The Welcome to the Territory incentive program released a part of the NT Population Growth Strategy in November 2018 includes digital jobs as high priority occupations that are eligible for relocation and retention bonuses.

The Northern Territory Migration Occupation List also identifies many digital occupations, where highly skilled foreign professionals can be nominated to migrate to the NT.

Initiative

Knowledge based industry precinct

Overview

Creating a knowledge-based industry precinct as a key project under Operation Rebound through releasing an EOI for an enterprise scale, low emissions commercial data centre in Darwin.

Benefits

Develop a Northern Territory sustainable digital economy, catalysing overseas market opportunities.

Initiative

Support Territory industries to drive innovative developments through a Digital Partnerships grants program.

Overview

The $1 million Digital Partnerships grants program will provide matched funding to local ICT businesses to develop digital innovations in partnership with industry sectors in the NT that will build digital capacity, create jobs and boost economic growth for the Territory.

This two year program will encourage and enable innovative digital developments created locally to 'get off the ground', providing valuable assistance in the difficult early stages and a commitment to local ingenuity.

Benefits

The grants program will facilitate locally created digital developments happening in partnership with NT businesses across other industry sectors (such as construction, energy, tourism and retail) through the early development phases.

The program can provide an important boost for new ideas to gain traction and transition into commercial products or services.

2019 progress update

The Digital Partnerships grants program launched in January 2019, offers grants of between $50,000 to $200,000 on a co-contribution basis to support digital innovations developed by Territory businesses.

Government and Territory businesses are working together to build digital skills and capacity. Over 2019 and 2020, $1 million has been allocated for the program.

Applications for grants opened on 20 February 2019 using the GrantsNT system and six proposals were selected for with total grant funding of $901,000.

Initiative

Integrated NT Government services Portal for business.

Overview

Researching the design options for a business portal integrating NT Government services for business and making it easier for businesses to deal with government.

Benefits

The business portal will save time and reduce the costs for businesses dealing with government.

Initiative

Free wi-fi hotspots at key tourism destinations.

Overview

Wi-fi hotspots at 22 locations across the Territory enable visitors to share their unique holiday experiences with family and friends at no cost.

Benefits

Wi-fi increases the use of social media at tourist locations, which provides invaluable marketing for the Territory. Tourists' expectations to be connected are met which encourages more visitors, helping Territory tourism to be competitive internationally.

Initiative

Implement the Reel Scout system for Screen Territory, to showcase NT locations. NT screen businesses and practitioners also will be able to register and promote online their area of expertise and experience in a particular screen craft.

Overview

The Reel Scout system will promote NT screen practitioners, screen businesses and unique locations to the domestic and international marketplace to attract productions to film and post in the Territory.

This includes attracting large budget US studios films.

Benefits

Reel Scout will increase the opportunities for the local screen industry including increasing output of NT screen production and increasing job opportunities and revenue to the sector.

Initiative

New international fibre links from Darwin.

Overview

Leveraging new international submarine fibre connectivity that will link Darwin to Asia and North America creating a data gateway.

Benefits

Expanding digital business opportunities and accelerating the digital economy in the Territory.

Initiative

Conduct an independent review of government ICT procurement.

Overview

Conduct an independent review of government ICT procurement activity to advise ways to increase the benefits to local industry and agencies.

Benefits

The review will increase confidence that government ICT procurement processes deliver value for the Territory and maximise the opportunities to enhance the capability and growth of local ICT businesses.

Initiative

Conduct a scoping study to establish the feasibility of establishing a commercial data centre in Darwin.

Overview

Conduct a study to examine the scope, viability and requirements to establish a commercial medium-to-large scale high security data centre in the Darwin area, with the intention of servicing national and international markets.

The study will:

• identify the advantages that make Darwin an attractive location
• examine the key elements required to establish a financially viable facility and
• consider the impediments and risks that could impact either the establishment or ongoing operation of a commercial data centre.

The outcomes of the study will allow government to assess the benefits, costs and risks of facilitating this development and explore the opportunity with potential operators.

Benefits

Data centres are the backbone of the new global technology environment. Businesses increasingly rely on access to high capacity computing services and escalating volumes of data to operate and compete.

Establishing a commercial data centre in Darwin to provide these services would generate significant investment and job opportunities in the construction and ongoing operation of the facility.

Initiative

Digitise commencements of new NT Government employees with the implementation of the myCommencement system.

Overview

The current processes for commencing new NT Government employees is labour intensive requiring multiple exchanges of paperwork with the new employee and manual entry of information into the personnel system.

The myCommencement system will automate these processes with online forms for the new employee to enter their details, verify their identity and sign their employment contract.

The system will also integrate with the personnel system to create the new employee record and calculate salary and tax amounts

Benefits

The system will reduce the effort and costs to commence new employees, reduce the time between the offer of employment and starting work and lower the risks of errors in data entry.

Initiative

Investigate the potential for birthing sensors to alert when calving has occurred and tag calves with digital sensors that allow researchers to identify calf movements and mortality as an agtech initiative to help the NT pastoral industry.

Overview

Researchers investigating the causes of calf mortality are studying the potential of using birthing sensors that send a signal alerting them calving has occurred and also tagging calves with movement sensors and tracking devices to detect calf movement and mortality.

For the most part, the system developed and used by the University of Florida researchers will be transferable, although some modifications will be required due to the larger paddock size and reduced mobile phone coverage in the NT.

Benefits

A system that allows calving to be remotely monitored would assist in investigating the issues surrounding calf mortality, experienced by the NT pastoral industry and could potentially reduce calf loss, a major source of lost income for northern beef producers.

Initiative

Establish the Northern Territory's first Business Innovation Strategy setting out the NT Government's plan to facilitate and support business-led innovation.

Overview

Innovation is key to sustainability and growth. The Business Innovation Strategy will set out the NT Government's plan to facilitate and support business-led innovation.

The use of emerging digital technology in business is driving innovation worldwide and digital initiatives will be core to supporting innovation in the Territory.

Benefits

The innovation strategy supports growth in the Territory economy and encourages business diversification and sustainability. Innovation can open up new markets and business opportunities for the local business sector.

2019 progress update

The Northern Territory Business Innovation Strategy, launched on 9 October 2018, focuses on strengthening the Territory's business innovation culture and creating a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

The Strategy outlines the Northern Territory Government's approach to ignite, inspire and intensify the innovation ecosystem locally. All actions are underway, with 14 of the 32 actions implemented so far.

Initiative

Use digital technology to engage with recent arrivals, past residents and frequent visitors to the NT, and promote the Territory as a preferred location to live, work and play.

Overview

The Population Strategy highlights a key group of past residents (Territory expats) and frequent visitors who know the many positive aspects of living, working or studying in the NT. These people are likely to advocate to others about Territory work and lifestyle opportunities.

In addition, the Population Strategy includes engagement of recent arrivals in the Territory in research in order to track their experiences and attitudes through surveys and focus groups.

A digital database will form part of the Territory Expat program supporting ongoing research and providing a flexible and efficient way to engage with people who have arrived in the Territory, left the Territory, and frequently visit the Territory. Digital communications will enable people to be informed about opportunities in the Territory and engage recent arrivals in population research.

A web portal and mobile app are also being developed to provide a one-stop-shop for information about living in the NT.

Benefits

The Territory expats database will provide connections, nationally and internationally to help establish professional networks, strengthen business relationships and share information about employment opportunities.

Engagement of recent arrivals in the Territory in ongoing research will enable continuous improvement of the Territory's efforts to retain residents.

The planned web portal will make it easier for people to find information about the NT.

Low population is a key inhibitor to economic growth. Efforts to boost population growth will provide benefits for local businesses and opportunities for the digital industry to attract new skills and build digital capability.

2019 progress update

The NT Expats Portal has been implemented, providing a platform that communicates across social media channels. Recent arrivals, past residents and frequent visitors to the NT can register through the portal to receive messages and information.

Initiative

Introduce a portal for businesses to complete transactions online, including vehicle registrations and transfers, which currently require attendance at the Motor Vehicle Registry.

Overview

Over 7,000 Territory businesses complete approximately 73,000 vehicle registration transactions per annum at Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) offices.

This initiative will see the introduction of a secure online self-service vehicle registration facility that is responsive to business and commercial customers' needs, thereby removing the requirement to attend in-person at MVR.

Benefits

When operational, the online portal will reduce regulatory burden on Territory businesses through a secure digital service channel that is accessible anytime of the day from anywhere in the NT with internet connectivity.

Initiative

Progress the development of the six digital solutions funded under the Digital Partnerships program.

Overview

The Digital Partnerships Grants Program provided matched funding of up to $200,000 to local businesses to help develop digital innovations through partnerships with digital businesses in the Territory.

The program will leverage $900,000 in Government funding with $1.4 million in co-contributions to invest a total $2.3 million in six digital innovation projects to be completed over the next two years.

Benefits

The projects will build digital capacity, create local jobs and boost economic growth in key sectors of the Territory economy.

Initiative

Develop job pathways and support for Territory women and girls in the digital sector, particularly in the local ICT industry, helping to foster a more gender balanced workforce.

Overview

Following the Inspire Women in Technology summit, opportunities will be sought for local digital industry champions and partners to take lead roles in increasing employment and career options for Territory women.

The NT ICT industry will work with educators and government over 2019 to gather baseline data on ICT jobs and design job pathways that will encourage and enable women to take up digital jobs.

An industry commitment to a targeted increase over five years that improves gender parity will be sought.

An informal support network will be created to share information, coach and mentor women in the industry or those looking to start a digital career.

Benefits

Increasing female participation in the male dominated ICT sector will benefit the industry and all digital professionals by expanding the resource pool and bringing a wider range of skills and experiences to the workplace.

The benefits to industry, business and workers that arise through greater diversity and gender balance have been proven across multiple industries.

Establishing baseline data and growth targets will allow the local ICT industry to measure its success.

A supportive network will encourage women and open up interesting and challenging job opportunities for women in high income roles that will be more certain and sustainable as the jobs market continues to evolve.

2019 progress update

Preliminary discussions have taken place with industry representatives on collating baseline data on ICT jobs and potential pathways for women.

Initiative

Bring digital industry participants together to identify priority issues for the local digital industry and find approaches that will boost growth opportunities.

Overview

The Office of Digital Government will bring digital industry participants together for the first time in 2018-19 to identify priority issues and canvass approaches to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

The local digital industry is diverse, covering digital entrepreneurs, micro businesses and start-up entities, as well as mainstream ICT companies and international suppliers. Business issues are similarly diverse and warrant consideration across the sector.

Benefits

The local digital sector is made up of more than 300 businesses across the Territory. It is important that all digital businesses can participate and contribute to industry development.

This initiative provides an avenue for issues and opportunities across the sector to be considered, ensuring that all local digital businesses are able to benefit from any policy or service changes.

Finding ways to grow the digital industry benefits the overall Territory economy.

2019 progress update

Potential Digital Industry participants identified and planning commenced with ICT industry representative bodies on a forum to identify future digital industry skills requirements and growth opportunities. A tentative timeframe has been set and scope of issues examined for feedback from key stakeholders.

Initiative

Finalise establishment of a new backup data centre to provide disaster recovery resilience in the NT Government's ICT environment.

Overview

A contract has been awarded for the provision of facilities to host the backup data centre.

Communications links to the NT Government network and the transfer of secondary computing requirements to the backup data centre is scheduled to be completed by mid-2020.

Benefits

The dual data centre model using the primary site at Millner and the backup data centre will provide enhanced resilience and disaster recovery for critical systems and data.

Initiative

Job Matching Site for local jobs seekers and business.

Overview

Designed and introduced a jobs site for matching businesses with people looking for work during COVID-19.

Benefits

Supporting economic and social prospects.

2020 progress update

Designed and introduced a jobs site for matching businesses with people looking for work during COVID-19.

Initiative

Showcase the innovative products and services developed by local digital businesses to interstate and overseas markets.

Overview

Innovative local communication solutions, such as the Centre for Appropriate Technology's (CfAT) mobile hotspots, create opportunities to translate local solutions to interstate and overseas markets.

Industry is working to promote local digital and communications innovations nationally and internationally.

Government can assist industry by introducing NT businesses into broader networks.

Benefits

Opportunities to showcase the digital expertise, knowledge and talent of Territory businesses will highlight the Territory's ingenuity. This will have downstream impacts, including the potential to attract researchers, digital innovators and businesses to the NT.

Opening up new markets will help grow local businesses and increase digital jobs.

2019 progress update

The ICT Industry Association of the NT hosted an Innovation Symposium on 11 April 2019 where over 400 attendees heard from industry experts and local business people on how technology innovation helps business succeed.

The event also showcased innovative digital solutions, services and capabilities of local suppliers that can help solve real word challenges.

Initiative

Procure a new digital payments solution, NTGPay, to receive and process invoices from NT Government suppliers.

Overview

A new digital payments solution will be procured to replace the existing Electronic Invoice Management System which is approaching end of life.

The system, to be called NTGPay, will provide a contemporary procure-to-pay service that enables electronic invoicing by suppliers through electronic data interchange between supplier billing systems and NTGPay.

Benefits

NTGPay will ensure the payments to suppliers are made within 14 business days for invoices under $1 million to improve the cash flow for small to medium business.

Initiative

Design an information system for capturing and presenting natural resource data informing future water and land management activities.

Overview

A portal is being developed to make data about natural resources such as water, soil, landscapes, vegetation, biodiversity and fire management available online to stakeholders, land managers and the community.

Benefits

Information will be easily accessible to users, supporting governments' Open Data Policy.

Territorians will benefit by having ready access to data about the Territory's natural resources, which will improve community understanding of water and land management requirements.

In addition the portal will provide investors, land holders, traditional owners and others with strategic information to make informed natural resource decisions.

2019 progress update

The collection of detailed natural resource data for all 12 identified areas in the Mapping the Future Program commenced in July 2018. The data collected to-date is being collated and analysed.

In principle, it has been agreed to provide the final reports and data to the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation for publication in their investor portal. The data will also be available to the public via the Natural Resource Maps in the NT Open Data Portal and esri Story Maps.

Initiative

Encouraging Territory women to take up digital careers through the inaugural 'Inspiring Women into Technology Summit'.

Overview

The summit is a key first step to increase opportunities for women and girls in the Territory's digital industry.

Women are underrepresented in ICT jobs; nationally around 28% of ICT jobs are filled by women and this needs to change. High income digital jobs are increasing and it is vital that women have the opportunity and skills to take up digital careers and contribute to the future digital landscape.

Benefits

The summit will showcase digital career options and share the journeys of successful 'digital women' to increase awareness of job opportunities and pathways for Territory women and girls.

Post summit, further actions will be developed with the local ICT industry to build on outcomes and provide practical steps to achieving gender balance in this important industry..

2019 progress update

The first Inspiring Women into Technology Summit was held at the Darwin Convention Centre on 29 May 2019 as part of the Digital Futures event.

The Summit highlighted exciting developments in digital technologies and included keynote speakers, a panel discussion, interactive activities and information booths to foster confidence in attendees to grow their digital skills and knowledge so they can take up jobs or pursue a career in the digital workforce.

Over 200 people attended the Summit and feedback from attendees was very positive.

Initiative

Define future workforce skills needed in the NT and update the NT Government's ICT Capability Framework so workers better understand and prepare for digital roles.

Overview

An ICT Capability Framework for the NT Government has identified the skills, knowledge and experience requirements for ICT roles across government as a guide for agencies and staff.

The framework will be examined and potentially refreshed in 2019 to make sure it continues to meet needs.

Stakeholders, including government agencies, unions and ICT professionals, will be engaged in this refresh process.

Benefits

The framework helps government agencies address ICT skills gaps and build strategies to attract skilled workers and develop existing staff.

Requirements for ICT jobs are clearly identified, helping agencies and workers to understand and prepare for digital roles.

2019 progress update

The Industry Skills Advisory Council of the NT (ISACNT) is reviewing and rewriting IT qualifications from Certificate I to Advanced Diplomas in IT, ensuring learners are building industry relevant skills. As part of the process, ISACNT is consulting about emerging IT trends, employability, knowledge and skills needs of the ICT sector.

The NT Government is engaging with the local ICT Industry and ISACNT to refresh the NTG ICT Capability Framework.

Initiative

Local research putting NT mango data on the national ''Australian Tree Crop Rapid Response Map'.

Overview

A team of local mango growers and NT Government researchers has captured valuable crop mapping data using remote sensing equipment, and incorporated the data into the national 'Australian Tree Crop Rapid Response Map'.

Benefits

Better crop data, including on-the-ground research, measurement and data validation regarding mango production variability, is helping growers be responsive sustain results.

Initiative

Online portal that enables skilled migrant applications to be lodged and managed digitally.

Overview

The portal makes it easier and faster for skilled migrants to apply for NT Government nomination for a general skilled migration visa in skills shortage areas.

Benefits

Bringing more highly skilled people to the NT will grow the Territory's population and economy. This initiative will help to increase the local skills base.

Initiative

Horticulture researchers are transitioning from paper based forms to mobile phones and tablet devices to enhance the collection of plant growth measurements.

This data will assist the horticulture industry to improve crop results as part of a focus on agtech.

Overview

Horticulture researchers are transitioning from paper based forms to mobile phones and tablet devices to collect plant growth measurements. This data is automatically uploaded to the Intranet when the mobile device comes within range of the NT Government's Wi-Fi network.

The Department of Primary Industry and Resources is extending the use of the service from internal research teams to start working with industry colleagues on joint projects to understand plant production and protection best practice.

Benefits

Mobile data collection saves significant time for data entry and is useful for research where repeated measurement of the same unit is required over time, for example, individual mango flower terminals or fruit as they mature, or grapes as they develop on the vines.

Initiative

Investigate ways to deliver free and open access data from the future City of Darwin smart city platform.

Overview

Once the City of Darwin's smart city platform is operational, the community and businesses will be able to use open data from the platform to create new digital apps.

The City of Darwin has multiple datasets, providing information across a range of activities that could be used creatively by digital innovators to develop new tools for Darwin residents and visitors.

Benefits

New digital services can create a modern and dynamic experience for workers, residents and visitors in the CBD. This will help position Darwin as a contemporary and vibrant capital city.

Digital entrepreneurs will have opportunity to grow their businesses and start new ventures, creating innovative consumer apps and digital services.

2019 progress update

An Open Data platform has been implemented and the building and publishing of data sets is in progress. Publication of the first group of data sets is expected to be completed in August 2019.

Further data sets will be published as they become available.

Initiative

Successful cattle monitoring trials using satellites.

Overview

Satellites are being used to remotely monitor and analyse performance of individual cattle and pastures in Northern Australia.

This has led to the development of commercial software that enhances cattle management.

Benefits

Cattle producers will be able to improve beef production results while using less labour and on-site work. This will lower costs and increase returns for producers.

Earlier detection of issues and targeted monitoring will lead to better cattle condition and management.

Initiative

Hold the Northern Territory Digital Excellence Awards 2019, which formally celebrates individuals and organisations that showcase and promote examples of digital excellence and innovation in the NT.

Overview

The Awards night is the NT's premier Information Communication and Technology (ICT) event of the year, created and supported by ICT peak bodies. A committee comprised of peak body representatives organise and manage the event. The concept of the awards is based on the peak bodies National Awards, with awards nominees from NT going through to nominations for National awards.

Benefits

Through the awards, NT's ICT sector will be recognised, rewarded and celebrated, which will further encourage innovation, excellence, and collaboration amongst the NT ICT sector.

The NT ICT industries capabilities will be promoted nationally and locally and the NT will be promoted as a destination for ICT careers and investment opportunities, and young people will be attracted to pursue ICT career pathways.

Initiative

Successful development and piloting of a world-first multilingual driver education app.

Overview

DriveAbout is a learner licensing app providing driver education in Aboriginal languages and English to help new drivers pass the learner permit test.

The app covers driver education in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

Benefits

The app helps people learn the road rules by presenting information in an engaging and multilingual format.

The digital solution allows people to learn at their own pace and at home.

Initiative

Develop an online portal for requests for quotations and notification of awarded work for services procured under government's ICT Specialist Services Contract.

Overview

An online portal is being developed to manage the procurement of agency work requests under the ICT Specialist Services panel contract online and with improved visibility.

The portal will allow the public and panel members to view the list of businesses on the panel, services being sought and work awarded, as well as enabling contractors to lodge their bids online.

Should this first panel contract use be successful, it is expected that the online portal technology model will be adopted for many of the NT Government's panel contracts.

Benefits

The portal will provide a more modern, efficient and transparent way for government to procure ICT specialist services.

For businesses on the panel, the portal will provide a simpler way to received work requests and submit their responses to these requests.