# OpenAI’s Medicare attack has exposed Australia’s ‘tech debt’. Fixing it could bring a big bill for taxpayers > Source: > Published: 2026-10-02 15:00:13+00:00 # OpenAI’s Medicare attack has exposed Australia’s ‘tech debt’. Fixing it could bring a big bill for taxpayers [The Guardian Technology](https://www.theguardian.com/us/technology) Home affairs department orders all federal government agencies to conduct review of ‘legacy technology’ amid fallout from [AI agent](https://www.machinebrief.com/glossary/ai-agent) hacks - Get our [breaking news email](https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl) ,[free app](https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3) or[daily news podcast](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl) The Australian government faces significant “tech debt” that could bring a big bill for taxpayers after the [OpenAI Medicare breach](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/24/openai-agent-hacked-medicare-australia-what-we-know-so-far-ntwnfb), as government agencies will need to fortify their defences against future attacks by AI agents. This week, the home affairs department ordered all federal government agencies to conduct a “legacy technology stocktake” that requires a plan for each agency to “reduce legacy technology systems” to a level within the agency’s risk tolerance and appetite, [the direction stated](https://www.protectivesecurity.gov.au/system/files/2026-09/pspf-direction-002-2026_0.pdf). [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/03/openais-medicare-attack-has-exposed-australias-tech-debt-fixing-it-could-bring-a-big-bill-for-taxpayers) Get AI news in your inbox Daily digest of what matters in AI.