"The first two parts of the Australian government smartcard framework, the overview and principles, outline the key strategic concepts underpinning the project and there is a handbook to provide guidance on smartcards and related technology," he said.

When completed, Nairn said the framework will set the basis for all smartcard implementations across government, not just the Human Services' access card.

"The objective of interoperability is subject to appropriate privacy, security, access control and government conditions on permitted use," Nairn said.

"But interoperability is one of the biggest issues that we do have to meet and it must be done in such a way that we do not introduce interpretations of what that interoperability is."

Nairn also outlined the federal government's authentication framework for employees which is known as Image (identity management for Australian government employees) and is part of a broader e-government strategy to implement a secure identity management platform for public sector employees by 2008.