Australia recently granted the Digital Transformation Agency $700,000 AUD in order to conduct in-depth research to blockchain and the potential use of its application. The mandate came directly from the country’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball, reported local media outlet ITNews.

The news outlet stated that Turnball gave a detailed instruction to the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), a government sector created to help other divisions transition to the digital space. Peter Alexander, DTA’s chief digital officer, said that Prime Minister Turnball wrote to their assistant minister for digital transformation and conduct a study about blockchain tech.

Alexander further revealed that this directive is a result of the dialogue between the PM and ministers and officers regarding the advantages of decentralized technology. The adoption of other first-world governments to blockchain-based applications led these Australian officers to look at the technology themselves.

A recent revelation by the Australian government outlined their interest in integrating blockchain to their welfare delivery platform. Other sectors being looked into are trade settlements, cargo management, and the development of systems to ensure accurate verification of open data.

All these changes, as well as the PM’s direct mandate to the DTA, are also influenced by CISRO, Australia’s chief scientific research agency. Last year, CISRO released two major reports highlighting that Australia cannot “afford” to be a follower of other countries when it comes to blockchain application.

Adrian Turner, CISRO’s chief executive assistant, has stressed the importance of adaptation of this newly emerged innovation. As an example, Turner cited several sectors that can be improved by blockchain including the financial service. He added that “food provenance” and “personalized health” are also the many benefits that the technology will bring should Australia choose to integrate it into their system. And with Turnball’s directives to the DTA, it seems that this advice has not fallen on deaf ears.

It’s expected that the $700,000 budget allocation will yield results between 2020 and 2030. If the first government application becomes a success, it’s highly likely that budget will increase to further accelerate the project’s implementation.