Australia to Legislate Mandatory National AI Standards, Requiring Consent to Train Models on Local Creative Works

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on 15 July 2026 that Australia will create binding "Australian Standards for AI," pairing strict rules for large data centres with copyright protections that make training AI on the work of local creators without permission a form of "theft." Speaking at the University of Sydney, Albanese said the new framework would be "clear, consistent and mandatory," replacing the fragmented state-by-state approach that has governed AI infrastructure until now, according to the Prime Minister's office.