24 March 2026
By Sally Browner, Director of Digital, Future Skills Organisation
With 87% of job roles now requiring digital skills, and demand continuing to grow, it is essential that Australians can access the digital capability training necessary to drive both individual and national productivity.
Our Uplift Digital Capability project is responding directly to this need by developing nationally accredited, generalist digital capability training that is consistently defined, recognised and portable across industries.
Have your say: Public consultation on our Uplift Digital Capability project is open until the end of March. Review the draft training products and submit feedback.
Meeting urgent workforce demand
Digital capability is now a baseline expectation in modern workplaces.
From administrative staff using AI tools to manage workflows, to small business owners navigating cyber security risks, to supervisors leveraging digital systems to improve operations, these skills are now embedded in everyday work.
Meeting that demand consistently and at scale is one of the most practical levers we have for lifting productivity across the economy.
Flexible digital skills training
In response, we’re developing a suite of training products for the vocational education and training system that allow learners to build transferable digital skills that can be applied across industries and job roles.
This includes units of competency focused on three essential digital skill areas: digital capability, generalist cyber security and generalist artificial intelligence.
Because these skills are needed urgently, we’re also fast-tracking the delivery of learning resources through our Digital Capability Training Product Trial.
A common language to define digital skills
These training products establish a common language for digital skills, addressing long‑standing inconsistencies and making it easier to build, recognise and deliver digital capabilities at scale.
Aligned with the internationally recognised digital competency framework DigComp 3.0, this project sets a nationally consistent benchmark for generalist digital capability.
In practice, this means workers can demonstrate capability valued by industry, employers have clarity on training outcomes, and the training system has a shared foundation to build from.
“Through industry–backed training in artificial intelligence and cyber security, we are establishing a common language for digital skills that aligns with national standards to future proof the Australian workforce.”
– Luisa Grant, Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Manager, Queensland Government and member of the Technical Committee.
Co-designed with industry, government and training providers
These training products have been co‑designed with employers, industry bodies and training providers, and informed by the project’s Technical Committee, ensuring they reflect real workplace requirements.
“It was great working with industry, other RTOs and government to ensure the new training products deliver the digital skills learners need. Having a nationally consistent definition of digital capability, aligned to an internationally recognised framework like DigComp 3.0, gives us a shared language with employers and confidence that learners are building the skills that will help them thrive in the workplace.”
– Dr Anitza Geneve, Principal Consultant Student Engagement, TAFE Queensland and member of the Technical Committee.
Review the draft training products and have your say
Public consultation on the draft training products is now open until the end of March. We invite input from industry, employers and training providers to ensure these units are practical, relevant and fit for delivery at scale.