The Albanese Government has appointed Dr Scott Farrell as the Data Standards Chair for Digital ID and Consumer Data Right (CDR) for a two‑year period from 10 December 2025.
Dr Farrell serves on the Payments System Board of the Reserve Bank and is a highly experienced leader in standards‑making oversight, including chairing the development of blockchain and distributed ledger technology standards for the International Organisation for Standardization.
He has a PhD in common law open banking frameworks, and has led significant government reviews, including the Open Banking Review Inquiry into Future Directions of CDR and the Review into the Australian Payments System.
Dr Farrell's appointment will continue to support the safety of Australians' data and ensure that Digital ID and CDR data standards remain at the forefront of the underpinning technology and best practice.
Digital ID is a secure, convenient and voluntary way for individuals to verify their identity online with government and businesses, without having to repeatedly share their most sensitive documents, such as their passport, birth certificate and driver's licence.
More than 15 million Digital IDs have been created with the Australian Government Digital ID provider, myID, to access more than 246 online government services.
The CDR allows individuals and businesses to efficiently and conveniently access specified data in relation to them held by businesses.
The CDR also enables consumers to get value from data held about them by consenting to it being shared with accredited third parties through the provision of specific goods and services.
A priority for Dr Farrell will be to work with industry to streamline data standards and unlock high‑value use cases while reducing compliance costs.
Dr Farrell was selected through a merit‑based process and replaces Dr Ian Oppermann, who has recently been appointed as a full‑time Commissioner of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The government thanks Dr Oppermann for his service and contribution as Data Standards Chair.
