Imagine a living digital model of Australia that mirrors our cities, towns and landscapes in real time. That is the idea behind a national digital twin, a virtual replica with an artificial intelligence (AI) backbone of our physical world for testing ideas and solving problems safely. The twin would be a highly detailed map of the real world, where we can trial changes (such as adding a new road or preparing for a flood) and see effects virtually before making real moves.

Why does Australia need this? Because our nation is vast and complex, we face natural disasters such as bushfires and floods, our cities deal with daily traffic challenges, and much of our critical data is spread across different agencies. A national digital twin platform would bring these pieces together into one shared picture. With it, emergency services, planners and even communities could make better decisions, leading to safer local areas, smoother commutes and more efficient public services.

It could also transform how we plan and deliver housing. With population growth and housing affordability now critical national challenges, a national digital twin could test different urban growth and densification scenarios, showing how to increase housing supply around key transport hubs while balancing liveability, green space and resilience to heat and flood risk.

Recent research proposes enhanced digital twins (EDTs), an advanced form of digital twin that weaves in better inspections and deeper integration to improve sustainability and responsiveness in infrastructure design and operation. Another study charts the transition from Building Information Modelling (BIM) to real-time digital twins, showing how static building models can evolve into dynamic systems that continuously mirror real conditions.

Learning from twinning pioneers

Other countries have already started this journey, offering practical insights. The United Kingdom’s national digital twin effort took an incremental path. Instead of building one massive system at once, the UK focused on setting common data standards and encouraging different sectors to develop their own digital twins that connect with each other. They also ran pilot projects to prove early benefits in areas such as energy management and emergency response, building trust and buy-in over time.

In the UK, digital twins have also been applied to housing and regeneration. Local authorities have used them to model mixed-use urban renewal areas – testing housing yield, infrastructure capacity and carbon outcomes before decisions are made. This has helped councils and developers balance density with liveability and demonstrate to communities how growth can be delivered sustainably.

Singapore, on the other hand, created one of the first country-wide digital twins with its Virtual Singapore project, a detailed 3D digital model of the entire city-state. Planners and agencies use it to test ideas and policies in a virtual environment: from adding new train lines to assessing flood risks in a neighbourhood. Singapore’s experience shows how a government-backed, centralised digital twin can improve day-to-day life and long-term planning.

Virtual Singapore has also been used to simulate shading, airflow and pedestrian comfort in high-density precincts, guiding the design of both public and private housing developments. It shows how data integration can make housing growth better coordinated, more sustainable and attract greater public support, while helping agencies plan for climate and social resilience.

The common threads for success from these pioneering initiatives are clear: strong leadership, clear standards and early real-world applications.

A roadmap for Australia’s national digital twin

Building a national digital twin will take time, but we can start now with a clear plan.

• Laying the foundation (1-2 years). The Commonwealth could launch an initiative by appointing a lead agency or task force to develop a national strategy. A governance group with members from federal and state agencies, industry and academia could set basic rules (such as data standards and privacy safeguards) to guide the project. At the same time, a few pilot projects could demonstrate value quickly – for example, a digital twin of a bushfire-prone region to improve emergency planning, or a twin of a city’s transport network to test congestion reduction. A housing-focused pilot could model a growth-area suburb or transit-oriented development precinct, testing different infill and density options to show how to increase supply while maintaining liveability and green space. These early wins could build momentum and public support.
• Building and connecting (3-5 years). The lead agency could then invest in the technology and tools needed to host a secure, scalable national digital twin. Common data formats and protocols would need to be established so that various digital twins (in transport, energy, urban planning and resources) can seamlessly connect. This phase could also bring in planning and housing agencies to integrate development, land use and infrastructure data that models the cumulative impacts of density, services and environmental exposure across cities and regions. More sectors and regions should start contributing data and using the platform, growing the network of connected digital twins. It is also crucial to train people – from public servants to planners – in how to use these tools effectively.

• Full integration and innovation (5+ years). By this stage, a national digital twin would be an integral part of decision-making across Australia. The platform could be continuously updated with information, covering everything from our built environment (i.e., buildings, roads, utilities) to natural landscapes. Strong governance should remain in place to adapt policies as needed, keeping data secure and private. Ultimately, the national digital twin should also underpin evidence-based housing strategies – helping governments balance affordability, density and climate adaptation, while visualising how new homes and neighbourhoods will function in the broader city system. Ultimately, a national digital twin should become the go-to tool – as common as using online maps – that helps planners, officials and citizens collaborate and make informed choices for a better future.

Benefits for Australians

A national digital twin platform has the potential to generate tangible benefits for people across various policy domains.

• Hazard preparedness. Emergency services could simulate and prepare for disasters more effectively. For example, before a bushfire season, a digital twin of a region can highlight the most at-risk areas by combining data on weather, vegetation and infrastructure, allowing authorities to take preventative action. During events such as floods or cyclones, the twin can help map out which roads or bridges are likely to be affected, so responders know where to focus and communities receive timely warnings. This means fewer surprises and quicker, more targeted responses when emergencies strike.
• Transport and housing. By analysing live traffic and public transport data in a virtual model, cities can optimise traffic light timings and adjust public transport routes or schedules to reduce congestion. If there is an accident on a major highway or a rail disruption, the twin would have the ability to quickly suggest the best alternative routes, helping managers respond faster. The result is potentially shorter commute times, more reliable transport and less frustration for travellers. It could also guide how we accommodate higher-density housing near major transport corridors and stations, showing communities the trade-offs and benefits of transit-oriented development.

• Efficient public services. With city planning, for example, officials could use the model to see where a new school, hospital or road is most needed and its likely impact. They can compare different options virtually, saving time and money. Maintenance of infrastructure also becomes proactive: sensors on bridges, power lines or water pipes could feed into the twin and alert authorities to wear and tear, so they fix issues before failures happen.

Towards a shared digital future

Several Australian efforts already point the way forward. In NSW, the Spatial Digital Twin is live across councils and supported by a formal state policy (DCS-2025-02) that mandates how agencies should share and integrate spatial data within it. The digital twin is used for infrastructure planning, emergency response, and visualising 3D city models with real-time data. Digital Twin Victoria is another initiative with $37.4 million investment in technology and spatial innovation. Queensland is also investigating a regional SEQ Digital Twin, backed by funding in the state budget to explore proof of concept and integrate assets across infrastructure, land use and utilities.

At the federal level, ANZLIC (the Spatial Information Council) and the CSIRO’s Data61 have developed the “Principles for Spatially Enabled Digital Twins” and an accompanying framework to guide how digital twins should be built and connected across Australia. Meanwhile, the CSIRO’s Terria platform supports organisations experimenting with spatial digital twin tools, helping connect data from diverse sources into user-friendly visual models. As generative AI advances, it could supercharge digital twins, making them smarter, faster and more affordable.

Together, these projects demonstrate that Australia already has key pieces of the twin puzzle in place. However, scaling them into a national system will require cohesive policy, funding and cooperation across all governments and sectors.

In other words, for a national digital twin to succeed, teamwork across sectors is essential. No single agency or industry can do it alone. Cross-sector collaboration means that governments (federal, state and local), businesses (especially utilities and transport operators), and researchers all need to share data and work together. Early pilot projects can help break down silos. When different teams come together to build a digital twin for a common goal (e.g., managing water resources or planning a new transit system), they learn to trust the process and each other.

At the same time, strong governance must guide this initiative. Clear rules will protect sensitive information and privacy, ensuring that data is used only for the right purposes. Security measures are crucial too, to guard against cyber threats. Having an agreed framework in place, with leadership oversight, transparent policies and regular audits, will keep the platform trustworthy. It is also important to communicate with the public about the project, so people understand how it works and how their data is handled. Building and maintaining public trust is non-negotiable; it should be the foundation.

Dr Ehsan Noroozinejad is a Senior Researcher at the Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University, where he specialises in Smart, Resilient & Affordable Housing. He is also the Global Challenge Lead at WSU on Sustainable Futures. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Early- and Mid-Career Academic and Practitioner (EMCAP) Network at Natural Hazards Research Australia, the Australian government-funded national centre for natural hazard resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Greg Morrison is Professor and the Lang Walker Endowed Chair in Urban Transformation and the Co-Director of the Urban Transformations Research Centre at Western Sydney University. He is a leader in sustainable and thriving cities who has made a demonstrable impact on the circular economy, Net Zero, living labs and climate adaptation and innovation.

Nicky Morrison is the Professor of Planning at Western Sydney University (WSU), co-Director of WSU’s Urban Transformations Research Centre, and Senior Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University. With over 30 years of experience, Nicky is a leading figure in affordable housing delivery and policy reform, sustainable community development, public policy analysis and urban planning. Her expertise spans the delivery of resilient, healthy and sustainable communities, with a focus on overcoming policy implementation barriers, strengthening stakeholder engagement and driving smarter, fairer and more resilient urban outcomes.

Image credit: Adobe Stock #603436520