Specialist Artificial Intelligence

Last updated: 04 February 2026

Status:

Initial Development

Commencement date:

May 2025

Anticipated Completion Date:

June 2027

Overview

The purpose of this training product development (TPD) activity is to update the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training package with new and urgent training products related to specialist Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is anticipated that the new training product will respond to rapid growth in AI adoption, significant skills shortages, and the need for industry-aligned training pathways that enable both employers and workers to access and apply specialist AI skills in a fast-changing sector.

Outputs will include:

  • Specialist generative AI training products.
  • The project may also potentially develop or refine units of competency (UoC) in other specialist AI areas identified as essential or urgent.

Note: This activity will respond to the most urgent specialist AI needs. Generalist AI training products are included within the Uplift Digital Capability project.

For any questions related to the project, contact [email protected]

Generalist artificial intelligence unit of competencies are included within the Uplift Digital Capability project.

Background Information

There is a need for nationally available specialist AI training to meet the needs of employers, learners and industry more broadly, in order to improve understanding and adoption of AI.

The FSO Workforce Plan 2024 and ICT Needs and Gaps Analysis identified an urgent and critical need for nationally available AI training to meet demand. Currently there is a small number of national VET products delivering AI skills, however, these products are not delivering the specialist skills required by industry.

The FSO’s report “Building an AI-enabled workforce: Impacts for Finance, Technology and Business Education and Training” shows that while a significant percentage of businesses use AI tools, many workers lack knowledge and would like additional training. The report highlights that AI adoption would drive significant productivity benefits for the Australian economy.

Consultation & Feedback

Future Skills Organisation (FSO) has developed a Consultation Strategy as part of the Project Plan, which involves various consultation methods including webinars/workshops, questionnaires and email feedback.

The Training Package Organissing Framework (TPOF) sets out the Product and Process requirements that must be complied with for all national training package products, which includes the establishment of a Technical Committee. The required composition of the Technical Committee is detailed in the TPOF and must be followed to ensure representation is consistent across all training product projects.

Expressions of interest are now closed.

Timeline

Project Commencement

May 2025

Establish Technical Committee

September 2025

Scoping

March-April 2026

Drafting of Training Products

April 2026

Draft 1 Training Products Technical Committee Endorsement

June 2026

Draft 1 Public and Government Consultation

July 2026

Incorporating Feedback

August 2026

Draft 2 Public and Government Consultation

October 2026

Incorporating Feedback

August 2026

Senior Officers Check

December 2026

Finalisation and Submission to the Assurance Body

March 2027

Assurance Body Consideration

April 2027

Skills Minister’s Endorsement

May 2027

Products available on Training.gov.au

June 2027

Stage

Commencement date

Current Stage: Initial Development

Commenced May 2025

Project Commencement: May 2025

Technical Committee Standup: September – December 2025 

Scoping and Review: December – April 2026

Initial Development of Training Package Products: April 2026 – June 2026

Commenced May 2025

Project Commencement: May 2025

Technical Committee Standup: September – December 2025 

Scoping and Review: December – April 2026

Initial Development of Training Package Products: April 2026 – June 2026

Commencing July 2026

The Future Skills Organisation (FSO), is undertaking a Training Package Product Update project in response to current workforce challenges. 

Public Consultation

We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to Draft 1 Public and Government Consultation via the form below to provide your insights to enhance the application, skills and knowledge requirements. 

Email Feedback

FSO will accept email feedback on the Specialist Artificial Intelligence Training Products from stakeholders. 

To provide email feedback please email: [email protected]

Questionnaire

FSO will provide a questionnaire promoting feedback on the Specialist Artificial Intelligence Training Products. Surveys give the opportunity for a diverse range of stakeholders to provide feedback on draft products; it also assists in maximising reach to rural and remote stakeholders.

The link to the survey will be made available in due course and will be accessed here.

Workshops

We invite you to register for a workshop and join us for an interactive discussion on the Specialist AI Security Training Products. Your insights and expertise will be invaluable to our discussion. 

Workshop dates and registrations will be made available in due course and will be accessed here. 

We would appreciate your participation. Please be assured that all responses will be kept confidential and will be used exclusively for the purpose of the Training Package Product Update. 

Training Package Products for review 

Draft 1 Training Package Products will be made available in this section in due course. 

Commencing August 2026

During this stage, all feedback received during Draft 1 consultation process is reviewed by the Technical Committee and responses are provided. 

Essential feedback identified by the Technical Committee is incorporated into the training package products and a further round of consultations is undertaken. 

Commencing October 2026

If significant changes have been made to the Draft 1 Training Package Products as a result of initial consultations, FSO will undertake further consultations with stakeholders to ensure the final product reflects broad stakeholder consensus.  

Public Consultation 

We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to Draft 2 Public and Government Consultation via the form below to provide your insights to enhance the application, skills and knowledge requirements. 

During the consultation period the link to our feedback questionnaire will be provided here.

Email Feedback

FSO will accept email feedback on the Specialist Artificial Intelligence Training Products from stakeholders. 

To provide email feedback please email: [email protected]

Questionnaire

FSO will provide a questionnaire promoting feedback on the Specialist Artificial Intelligence Training Products. Surveys give the opportunity for a diverse range of stakeholders to provide feedback on draft products; it also assists in maximising reach to rural and remote stakeholders.

The link to the survey will be made available in due course and will be accessed here.

Workshops

We invite you to register for a workshop and join us for an interactive discussion on the Uplift Digital Capability Training Products. As a valued expert in the field, your insights and expertise will be invaluable to our discussion. 

Workshop dates and registrations will be made available in due course and will be accessed here. 

We would appreciate your participation. Please be assured that all responses will be kept confidential and will be used exclusively for the purpose of the Training Package Product Update. 

Training Package Products for review

Draft 2 Training Package Products will be made available in this section in due course. 

Commencing December 2026

State and Territory Senior Responsible officers review, provide feedback and endorse the training package products. 

Commencing March 2027

At the finalisation stage, final checks are conducted, and the outcomes of the project are submitted to the Assurance Body and Department for consideration. 

Final Training Package Products

Final training products will be made available in this section in due course

Commencing May 2027

Skills Ministers’ review the Training Package Products and provide endorsement.

Upload to National Training Register

Commencing June 2027

Skills Ministers’ review the Training Package Products and provide endorsement.

Technical Committee

Terms of Reference

Products in Scope

List of Products in Scope

Request for Proposal

Scoping RFP

We have added 2 weeks to the deliverables timeline for the ICT, AI and Cyber RFPs to account for holidays and to provide 2 extra weeks for stakeholder consultation. 

No respondent will be disadvantaged by these changes.  The updated milestones are listed in the RFP.

Scoping RFP

Scoping RFP Information Session

Master Services Agreement

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