OFFICIAL TEST & EVALUATION PARTNER
Test & Evaluation Partner
KJR is part of the consortium to deliver the Australian Government’s Age Assurance Technology Trial. The consortium is led by the Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) and will report to the Australian Federal Government - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Experts in technology risk management, AI Assurance, and software quality assurance, as the Test & Evaluation Partner for the project, KJR will lead the efforts in the technology evaluation aspects of the trial to ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with industry standards and user expectations.
Age Assurance Technology Trial
The Age Assurance Technology Trial (AATT) is a key plank of the Australian Government’s online safety agenda and aims to determine the effectiveness of available technologies to better protect young people by limiting their access to harmful and inappropriate content online.
These technologies will be considered as options to prevent access to online pornography by children and young people under the age of 18, and age-limit access to social media platforms for those under 16 years of age in line with the Government’s commitment.
These technologies include:
• Age verification: Checking identity credentials to confirm age.
• Age estimation and inference: Using biometric markers or digital patterns to determine age, including AI-based analysis.
• Parental certification or controls: Mechanisms to involve guardians in online access.
The trial invites Australians to participate in real-world testing of these technology solutions, assessing their effectiveness, readiness, and applicability within the Australian context.
The results of this trial will be communicated to the Australian Government in the 2nd quarter of 2025. These results will inform future policies aimed at enhancing online safety standards and guide the implementation of age assurance technology across platforms accessed by Australians.
The department is working closely with industry and communities to deliver the Age Assurance Trial, which will play an important role in determining the most effective way to protect young people online.
FUNDED BY
Leaders in Risk Management
This trial will evaluate various age assurance technologies which may include biometric age verification, AI-based analysis of physical features, getting parental consent and using email verification.
As a leader in technology risk management, AI Assurance, and software quality assurance, KJR will lead the efforts in the technology evaluation in aspects of the trial, including: testing age verification/age estimation technologies and parental controls and certification technologies, AI testing, technology stack deployments, and technology readiness assessments to ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with industry standards and user expectations.
As the father of three (3) daughters who navigated their high schooling (2013 – 2024) through the rise of social media I’ve seen first-hand the good, the bad and the ugly impacts of social media can have on our young people. KJR is honoured to have front row seats for the unbiased evaluation of the various Age Assurance technologies in the Australian context and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.
THE KJR TEAM
Deputy Project Director & Chair of STAC
Evaluation Activity Leads (STAC)
Andrew Hammond
General Manager ACT & NSW
Dr. Kelvin Ross
Chairman
Dr. Mark Pedersen
CTOApproach to Evaluation
The development of the approach to evaluation will be led by a Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (STAC) chaired by Deputy Project Director, Andrew Hammond.
The development of the test protocols, biometric and test subject data capture, sampling and statistical analysis and ensuring the research is robust, repeatable, reproducible and statistically sound, will be supported by a team of product quality and software evaluation engineers from KJR all undertaken in Australia.
Ethics
The ethical approach will include analysis and extent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and multi-ethnic diverse communities in the demographic spread of human test subjects including through the application of the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research.
Working with KJR’s Cultural Advisor, Johnny Fejo, the project will include initial and ongoing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring to identify where any aspects of the project have EDI consequences and put in place appropriate measures and controls to address them.
Evaluation Proposal
The Evaluation Proposal Report outlines the framework and approach for evaluating age assurance technologies in Australia as part of the Age Assurance Technology Trial. It details the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of age verification, age estimation, and parental control technologies and their compliance with key criteria such as accuracy, reliability, interoperability, privacy, and security.
The document provides an in-depth understanding of age assurance technology within the Australian context, covering online safety, privacy, and digital identity legislation, as well as compliance with the Australian Signals Directorate’s Information Security Manual and specific program requirements. It also includes a literature review of relevant domestic and international research on age assurance technologies.
The evaluation process is designed to be standardised and replicable, leveraging:
• ISO/IEC 25040 – Systems and software quality requirements and evaluation
• ISO/IEC DIS 25766 – Age assurance systems framework
• IEEE 2089.1 – Online age checking systems
• ISO/IEC 29119 – Software engineering test design methods
KJR CTO, Dr Mark Pedersen, and KJR Consultant, Adrian Ugray, participated in the drafting of the report.
Media Hub
NEWS RELEASE
20th June 2025 – Age Assurance Technology Trial publishes twelve preliminary findings ahead of full report.
Trial finds age assurance can be done, as under-16s social media ban deadline looms
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Australia readies for social media ban for children
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Australia's teen social media ban faces a new wildcard: teenagers
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Age Assurance Technology Trial
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KJR is an Australian Software Quality Engineering Consultancy and a leading practitioner in Responsible AI implementation. Founded in 1997, we have decades of experience working with ASX 100 companies and all levels of government departments (Federal, State and Local). We specialise in AI and data assurance, governance, DevSecOps, and testing—empowering organisations to navigate digital advancements securely and efficiently.
