Hosting

This service is designed for:

• Technical teams building AI prototypes, proofs of concept, or internal tools
• Agencies wanting to experiment with generative AI in a secure, isolated environment
• Development teams with skills in Azure or AWS cloud platforms

This service is not for:

• Agencies wanting a ready-to-use AI chat tool (see GovAI Apps)
• State or territory governments
• High-risk AI use cases
• Teams without cloud development experience

Environments

GovAI provides two environment types to support different stages of development:

Sandbox — Available now

Data classification: Synthetic and public data only

Best for quick experimentation and proof-of-concept work. Test ideas, validate approaches, and build prototypes without lengthy procurement or security assessments.

Platform availability: Azure (live), AWS (pilot)

Test/Pilot — Infosec Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) assessment in progress (2026)

Data classification: Up to Official: Sensitive (requires agency Authority to Operate)

For validating prototypes with real data and engaging end users before production. Move successful sandbox projects here for security and ethical evaluation.

Security and governance

GovAI Hosting is built on the GovTEAMS foundation with security controls aligned to APS requirements:

Platform controls

• Isolated environments for each agency
• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Audit logging of all administrative actions
• Network restrictions (no unrestricted internet access)
• Multi-factor authentication via GovTEAMS

Governance alignment

The service aligns with the Information Security Manual (ISM), Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), and Responsible Use of AI Policy. However, agencies remain responsible for:

• Ensuring use cases comply with AI governance requirements
• Completing security assessments for Test/Pilot environments in line with agency policies and whole-of-government procedures
• Following privacy obligations when handling personal information
• Implementing appropriate AI guardrails in their applications based on their use case

Getting started

Eligibility checklist

Before applying, confirm your agency has:

• A low-risk AI use case (per DTA AI Risk Assessment Matrix)
• An accountable official (Senior Executive Service Band 1 or above) to sign the agreement
• A technical lead to manage environment access
• Support from your IT security team and AI Accountable Officer
• Technical staff with Azure or AWS skills

Note: A GovTEAMS Full Access Member account is required for platform access. We can help your team set this up if needed.

Onboarding process

1. Contact us — Submit an enquiry through the GovAI website
2. Expression of Interest — Complete the EOI form describing your use case and technical needs
3. Eligibility review — We assess suitability and confirm requirements
4. Discovery meeting — Discuss your use case, technical approach, and answer questions
5. Agreement — Your accountable official signs the MOU
6. Technical onboarding — We provision your environment and support initial setup

Most teams can begin working in the Sandbox environment within weeks of completing onboarding.

Pricing

During the pilot program, GovAI covers platform infrastructure costs. Your agency pays only for cloud resource consumption.

Usage-based costs depend on:

• The cloud resources you deploy
• AI model compute (tokens processed)
• Data storage
• Data transfer

Use the Azure Pricing Calculator(Opens in a new tab/window) or AWS Pricing Calculator(Opens in a new tab/window) to estimate costs for your use case. WoAG discounts may apply to the final bill.

GovTEAMS access:

• Full access membership: $13.50 per member per month (ex-GST)
• Partner memberships for external collaborators: $290 for 6 months or $490 for 12 months