Gatekeeper Public Key Infrastructure Framework

This framework explains the requirements for issuing digital keys and certificates.

What this framework does

The Gatekeeper Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Framework governs the way the Australian Government uses digital keys and certificates to assure the identity of subscribers to authentication services.

Subscribers can include individual users, organisations and devices, such as applications and computers.

The framework sets out the requirements for organisations to become accredited to issue digital keys and certificates for use in government for PKI-based authentication.

Policy requirement: the Gatekeeper PKI Framework states that Australian Government agencies must only use digital keys and certificates issued by a gatekeeper-accredited organisation for PKI authentication.

Gatekeeper accreditation covers the issuing of digital keys and certificates to subscribers that need to work in:

• open environments, such as the internet
• closed environments, such as communities of interest
• hybrid communities

Assessors from the Information Security Registered Assessor Program (IRAP) assess providers. They also audit them annually to make sure they comply with the Gatekeeper PKI Framework.

If a service provider contracts you to carry out an IRAP assessment you can get in touch with us to ask for a list of their approved documents.

Checking legal documents

The Gatekeeper Legal Evaluation Panel checks legal documents for organisations applying for gatekeeper accreditation.

It also does this for service providers who want to amend legal documentation they’ve previously had approved.

Accredited service providers

The Gatekeeper Competent Authority has granted accreditation to the following services:

Provider	Service type	Accreditation date
DigiCert (formally Symantec)	Certification and Registration Authority	September 2015
Australia Post (KeyPost)	Registration Authority	December 2001
Cogito Group	Registration Authority, Certification Authority and Validation Authority	11 October 2021
Department of Defence	Certification and Registration Authority	17 May 2007
Department of Industry and Science	Validation Authority	6 January 2011
Medicare Australia	Certification Authority	29 June 2011
Verizon Australia	Certification Authority	16 February 2012
Australian Taxation Office	Certification Authority	30 April 2013
	Registration Authority	June 2019
Property Exchange Australia Limited	Certification Authority	1 October 2014
	Registration Authority	June 2019

Policy background

The framework replaces the following policies, which no longer apply:

• National e-Authentication Framework
• Third Party Identity Services Assurance Framework

More information about the framework

Download the following documents to find out more about the Gatekeeper PKI Framework:

• Gatekeeper PKI Framework (V3.1 — December 2015) PDF (1.9 MB)
• Gatekeeper PKI Framework (V3.1 — December 2015) DOCX (601 KB)
• Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) Guide (V2.1 — December 2015) PDF (2.1 MB)
• Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) Guide (V2.1 — December 2015) DOCX (179 KB)
• Compliance Audit Program (V2.1 — December 2015) PDF (1.3 MB)
• Compliance Audit Program (V2.1 — December 2015) DOCX (175 KB)