Action 4.3G

In June 2020, Australian Cyber Security Growth Centre's (AustCyber) NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node partnered with TAFE NSW to launch short courses to meet current and emerging industry needs. The courses will provide new and existing workers with the specialist skills they need to succeed in the growing cyber security sector.

The Node is part of AustCyber’s National Network of Cyber Security Innovation Nodes, designed to foster and accelerate cyber capability development and innovation across the country. It is jointly funded by AustCyber, the Australian Cyber Security Growth Network, and the NSW Government. As of January 2021 there are Nodes in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Canberra and New South Wales, each specialising in key priority capabilities related to State or Territory strengths.

In 2017, the Australian Cyber Security Growth Centre (AustCyber) was established to ensure Australia is well positioned to take advantage of the growing global cyber security market and support the development of a strong cyber security industry in Australia. The $40.5 million public private partnership works to:

• increase collaboration and commercialisation; improve international opportunities and market access;
• enhance management and workforce skills; and
• identify opportunities for regulatory reform.

In January 2021, AustCyber, in partnership with the NSW State Government and Standards Australia, launched the NSW Cyber Security Standards Harmonisation Taskforce's Recommendations Report. The Taskforce, which is made up of industry leaders, government and business representatives, complied a comprehensive list of recommendations that span key industries, including cloud, health, defence, education and financial services. The Taskforce is developing a publicly accessible list of standards relating to cyber security that span the seven priority sectors identified in the report. This will include a website that communicates the business benefits around the adoption of standards. The intention is this will be an essential asset for boards, executives and relevant decision-makers and help embed the work of the Taskforce into the economy. 

The Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre is an independent and collaborative centre where industry, government and research partners work together to create new products, services and systems. The Centre will receive $50 million from 2017-24 to deliver solutions that increase the security of critical infrastructure and provide cyber security solutions that benefit businesses and their customers. The aim is to ensure Australia is recognised as a secure and trusted place to do business, enabling industry to attract and increase investment, trade and commerce.

On 17 November 2021, the Government announced the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy.  The Centre of Excellence, which will be based in India, will bring together Australian and Indian technologists, policy practitioners, academics, researchers and thought leaders to address some of the most challenging policy issues of the digital age.

The Centre of Excellence is a multi-stakeholder initiative that will help guide the responsible development and use of critical technologies and will complement Australia’s existing Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership with India. It will help to shape technology governance so that it aligns with our values and that supports an open, inclusive and resilient Indo‐Pacific.

The Centre of Excellence is among the flagship initiatives of Australia’s new Action Plan for Critical Technologies, and an important part of delivering on Australia’s strategy for protecting and promoting technologies, the Blueprint for Critical Technologies.

The Centre of Excellence will promote stronger investment opportunities and cutting-edge innovation in cyber, critical and emerging technologies and will be established in partnership with Australian and Indian institutions in 2022.