Released 15/09/2025
A national hub for cyber skills and innovation has launched today in Canberra, providing the next generation of cyber students the opportunity to build their skills and benefit from the best of government, industry, and business in enhancing workforce cyber security.
The Cyber Security TAFE Centre of Excellence, delivered by the Albanese and Barr Labor Governments through a $5 million joint investment, was launched at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Woden campus.
The Centre will train students in how to tackle and prevent national cyber threats, and deliver skills to boost cyber literacy across Australia’s workforce.
Tailored cyber courses will be developed to address emerging skills gaps across the nation. These will include initiatives for senior secondary students, cross-sector workers and final-year trades students aspiring to become small business owners.
The Centre will serve as a hub for TAFEs across Australia, providing professional learning with a focus on strengthening Australia’s sovereign cyber security capability, including in energy, utilities and critical infrastructure.
It will also help to build a pipeline of cyber-ready workers by fast-tracking higher and degree-equivalent apprenticeship pathways and developing micro credentials for university graduates.
The Cyber Security TAFE Centre of Excellence will build on existing initiatives in the ACT, including the Canberra Cyber Hub and the Canberra Innovation Network. It will partner with the CIT’s Electric Vehicle (EV) TAFE Centre of Excellence to identify cyber risks in electric vehicles.
This will be the 13th TAFE Centre of Excellence announced by the Albanese Government, which is delivering $325 million over five years through the National Skills Agreement to establish TAFE Centres of Excellence nationwide. TAFE Centres of Excellence foster collaboration between TAFEs and key stakeholders including employers, unions and universities.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“Cyber security is vital for protecting Australians and protecting our economy. Having a workforce with cutting-edge cyber security skills is critical to placing Australia at the forefront of developments in the sector.
“The announcement of today’s Cyber Security TAFE Centre of Excellence will play an important part in this work, as the Albanese Labor Government puts TAFE back at the heart of our vocational education and training system.
“We’re investing in Free TAFE so that Australians can get the skills they want for the jobs we need – and through TAFE Centres of Excellence like this one in Woden we’re ensuring students can get specialist, practical training for their future careers.”
Quotes attributable to ACT Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations, Michael Pettersson:
“Canberra is well placed to develop the Cyber Centre of Excellence. As the nation’s capital we have extensive sovereign cyber security capability and businesses based here, alongside established research and training institutions. The Cyber Centre of Excellence will be supported by the Canberra Cyber Hub which has extensive experience in connecting learners with employers”.
“CIT has a strong track record of training cyber security professionals and partnering with government and industry. By basing the centre at CIT, we will develop a robust pipeline of skilled professionals to address the workforce shortage, and increase the participation of underrepresented groups, such as women, in this vital field.”
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Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases