Digital NSW 2026 Showcase
NSW’s Digital Future: Inclusive, Intelligent, Trusted
For government, by government
Event steering committee
Laura Christie
Deputy Secretary, Digital NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Mark Lenzner
Executive Director, ICT / Digital Sourcing, Digital NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Melanie Curran
Business Operations Manager, ICT/Digital Sourcing | Digital NSW, Department of Customer Service
Laura Christie
Deputy Secretary, Digital NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Mark Lenzner
Executive Director, ICT / Digital Sourcing, Digital NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Melanie Curran
Business Operations Manager, ICT/Digital Sourcing | Digital NSW, Department of Customer Service
Overview
The Digital NSW Showcase 2026 is the state's flagship event for the public servants shaping the next chapter of digital government. Aligned to NSW's five digital missions, this year's program brings together the people delivering inclusive and connected services, smarter and more productive ways of working, trusted and resilient infrastructure, and a future-ready public service workforce. Across four tracks and a full plenary program, the showcase explores what it takes to deliver an inclusive, intelligent and trusted digital state — and the leadership shift required to get there.
This year's showcase moves the conversation from what to how. Expect candid sessions from leaders rebuilding services in real time, frank discussions about change, capability and the future workforce, and practical exchanges between public servants, industry and academic experts on the operating models emerging across government. Whether you're shaping policy, designing services, leading delivery, protecting trust or building capability, Digital NSW 2026 is where you'll connect with peers, see what's working on the ground, and leave with ideas you can put to work on Monday.
Key Themes
Digital NSW 2026 brings together the people shaping the next era of public service across five themes aligned to NSW's digital missions and the realities of an AI-enabled government.
- AI-enabled public service starts here. NSW is shifting to an AI-enabled operating model - and Digital NSW is where that shift gets real – across services, systems and the people delivering them.
- Beyond productivity. Into transformation. Reimagining the services, systems and roles underpinning the future of work.
- Four tracks. One digital NSW. Inclusive services, smarter delivery, trusted infrastructure, and a future-ready workforce - under one roof.
- The work has changed. Has the workforce? A frank conversation about capability, change, and the new operating models NSW needs to deliver on its digital ambitions.
- From policy to practice. Turning strategy, assurance and capability uplift into citizen outcomes.
Sign up or Log in to Public Sector Network to register for this event
The Digital NSW Showcase 2024 was a fantastic event that brought together thought leaders from across the state to discuss the latest trends and challenges in digital government. The event's theme, 'Building a Digital Future for NSW,' was timely and important, and the speakers provided valuable insights on a range of topics, from accessibility to sustainability. I was particularly impressed by the case studies that showcased how digital technologies are being used to improve government services and citizen engagement. Overall, the Digital NSW Showcase 2024 was a well-organised and informative event that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about digital government.
Transport for NSW
Who will be there?
Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, CDOs, digital and executive leaders setting direction across NSW.
Service designers, UX and content designers, accessibility leads, customer service and contact centre managers, comms and engagement teams.
Product managers, delivery and transformation leads, business analysts, operations and program managers driving modern service delivery.
CISOs, cyber, privacy and risk leads, data governance and assurance teams, architects, platform, cloud and resilience leaders.
workforce planners, HR business partners, L&D and capability leads, policy, strategy and legal advisors shaping the future public service.
2025 Speakers
Narelle Underwood
Executive Director Digital NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Laura Christie
Deputy Secretary, Digital NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Elizabeth Mildwater
Secretary, Department of Customer Services
Lenka Lassak
Executive Director, Identity NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Marie Patane
NSW Chief Cyber Security Officer, Cyber Security NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service
Julie Tickle
Chief People Officer, TAFE NSW
Ed Santow
Co-Director of the Human Technology Institute and Professor of Responsible Technology, University of Technology
Tom Gao
Chief Technology and Digital Services Officer, City of Sydney
Nicholas Davis
Advisor, Speaker and Co-director, Human Technology Institute (HTI)
Tracks at a glance
Inclusive & Connected Services
The Inclusive & Connected Services track focuses on advancing digital inclusion, accessibility, and connectivity so all people and communities across NSW can fully engage with government services. Grounded in human-centred design and co-design, it explores how services can be built around diverse user needs and how barriers — physical, digital, cultural, and linguistic — can be removed at scale. Sessions will examine where and how AI is reshaping this work in practice, from generative tools for content and translation to AI-powered accessibility features and conversational interfaces that bring services closer to the people who need them most.
Smarter Services & Productivity
The Smarter Services & Productivity track focuses on how NSW is using digital to improve service delivery, drive productivity, and support the local economy. It explores modern delivery practices, product and agile operating models, automation, and the digitisation of high-volume services that individuals and businesses rely on every day. Sessions will explore how to identify when and where to use AI to solve business problems to elevate enterprise capability.
Trusted & Resilient Digital Infrastructure
The Trusted & Resilient Digital Infrastructure track focuses on the foundations that underpin public confidence in digital government — cyber security, privacy, data governance, and the reliability of the platforms NSW depends on. It also explores how those platforms keep NSW safe and resilient during emergencies, both online and in-person, and the sustainable infrastructure needed to support digital services into the future. Sessions will dig into responsible AI, assurance, data readiness, and the governance frameworks that ensure AI is deployed safely and ethically across government.
Capability & the Future Public Service
The Capability & the Future Public Service track focuses on how NSW scales digital capability across a distributed public sector — where funding, accountability and delivery sit across many agencies rather than a single centralised enterprise. It explores how government builds enterprise capability through reuse, shared services and common platforms, alongside the workforce strategy, evolving roles and operating models needed to support them. Sessions will tackle executive awareness and leadership in a digital era, the AI and data literacy every public servant will need, and the practical mechanisms — platform thinking, cross-agency reuse, and shared capability models — that turn individual project wins into system-wide uplift.
Why attend?
Expert insights and knowledge sharing
Attendees will gain valuable insights from leading experts in government, industry, and academia on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in digital service delivery.
Networking opportunities
The event provides a unique platform to connect with peers, thought leaders, and decision-makers, fostering valuable relationships and potential collaborations that can enhance professional growth and project outcomes.
Innovative solutions and case studies
Learn from real-world examples and case studies on how NSW and other regions are successfully implementing digital strategies to overcome current challenges, streamline processes, and improve public services.
Focused discussions on emerging challenges
The event addresses the most pressing issues in digital government, with dedicated tracks on Accessibility, AI, Trust and Future Ready Government. These focused discussions provide attendees with a deep dive into specific challenges and opportunities, offering targeted insights and strategies that can be directly applied to enhance public service initiatives
Professional development
Participating in this event allows attendees to stay ahead of the curve in digital government initiatives, gain new skills, and access resources that are crucial for personal and organisational growth in the evolving digital landscape.
Vendors, boost your presence
Becoming a partner at the Digital NSW 2025 Showcase offers unique opportunities to connect with decision-makers, showcase innovative solutions, and align with transformative public sector goals. As a partner, you’ll have access to influential government leaders, providing a valuable platform to demonstrate your expertise and contribute to critical conversations on public sector modernisation. With a focus on New South Wales’ specific needs, partnership enables you to collaborate directly with key players, co-develop solutions for the state’s challenges, and reinforce your commitment to advancing government services in impactful ways.
State of the Service Spotlight: Digital NSW Innovation 2024
Public Sector Network's Digital NSW Showcase has become a cornerstone for exploring the challenges and opportunities in government digital transformation. In 2024 the focus was on inclusivity, sustainability, and trust within the New South Wales Digital Strategy underscores the importance of aligning policy, technology, and citizen engagement. A series of real-time polls provided invaluable insights into the priorities and concerns of attendees, which reflect broader trends and challenges in the public sector.
Insights from the Minister: How Accessibility, Security and Emerging Tech are Shaping NSW' Future - Digital NSW 2024
Hear from the The Hon. Jihad Dib, MP, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice New South Wales as he discusses upcoming digital government priorities across NSW including:
- Rebuilding citizen trust with cyber and data protection
- Improving resilience across the state
- How emerging tech and ethics go hand in hand to optimise citizen outcomes
Recorded at Digital NSW 2024
2024 Highlights
Ready to register?
Registration is free for government