Defence Cyber Risk Assessment
Project Timeline
April 2026 – August 2026
Project Overview
This project responds to the growing need for cyber security expertise across Defence and Government. It focuses on improving cyber risk assessment capabilities, particularly in managing threats to Information and Communications Technology systems.
Cyber threats are evolving rapidly due to technological advancements and increased capability among state and non-state actors. These risks extend beyond typical industry concerns, encompassing national security and critical infrastructure protection.
To address these challenges, the project will develop a new credential within the DEF Defence Training Package, specifically targeting cyber security risk assessment functions. This includes international benchmarking research to understand factors of cyber resilience by leaders in the field, reviewing existing units of competency, developing new units where gaps exist, and ensuring alignment with national frameworks and interagency applicability.
By creating fit-for-purpose training solutions, this initiative will support Defence-aligned career pathways, promote cross-sectoral use of training products, and enable lateral entry for skilled workers, bolstering Australia’s resilience in the cyber domain and safeguarding national interests.
Timeline
Commencement: August 2025
Consultation: April – May 2026
Governance and Finalisation: June – August 2026
Completion: August 2026
Images provided courtesy of the Department of Defence.
Department of Defence images are used with permission and should not be reproduced without permission from the organisation.
Consultation
Apr 2026 - May 2026Consultation is currently scheduled to take place during April – May 2026.
Objective of Consultation
Public Skills Australia will work directly with the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence College to establish collaborative partnerships aimed at enhancing the development of training products. By engaging with the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence College, Public Skills Australia seeks to leverage their specialised knowledge and experience in Defence education and training. Consultation will allow for meaningful involvement of stakeholders and further enhance the development process.
Consultation Plan
| Project Phase | Description | Communication Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Commencement of Project | Publication of project overview information | Upload the Annual Training Product Development Plan to the Public Skills Australia website. |
| Upload project overview information on the Public Skills Australia website. | ||
| Establishment of Technical Committee and Consultation Strategy | Notify Assurance Body, State Training Authorities (STA), Senior Responsible Officers (SRO) and other Jobs and Skills Councils (JSC) of Technical Committee membership details and Consultation Strategy. Due to the sensitivity of information sharing within Police, Technical Committee member names will not be published, only organisation, jurisdiction and job title. | Email notification to STAs and SROs, and to relevant JSCs. |
| Public and Government Consultation | Provide stakeholders with workshop registration forms that detail the dates and times of virtual sessions, as well as the qualifications and units of competency they wish to review. Once consultation begins, these forms will be directly accessible from each project’s Consultation page on Public Skills Australia’s website. | Public Skills Australia to provide access to draft training products with downloadable documents and a survey link for feedback. |
| Conduct public information sessions webinars. | Provide a link to register interest for information sessions on Public Skills Australia website. | |
| Internal Governance | Public Skills Australia to progress the draft training products to its established governance groups. | Conduct hybrid meetings with established governance groups. |
Stakeholder Identification
Key stakeholders may be drawn from:
- Defence National Skills Framework (Education Experts)
- Defence Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
- Department of Defence
- Future Skills Organisation JSC
- State Training Authorities & Senior Responsible Officers (SROs)
Other stakeholders may be identified through research and industry engagement by the project team.
Consultation mechanisms
Public Skills Australia is dedicated to conducting thorough consultations with stakeholders to ensure that their perspectives, concerns and insights are carefully incorporated into the development process, a meticulous consultation log will be maintained. Noting security limitations around publishing details of Australian Defence Force personnel, where necessary, a summary of members’ feedback, issues and the attainment of consensus through the project.
In instances where consensus cannot be achieved, the Public Skills Australia Alternative Dispute Resolution policy will be invoked. Public Skills Australia will conduct a range of consultation initiatives to ensure the involvement and engagement of diverse stakeholders.
This will include consultation activities and methods, such as:
- Online information sessions to provide information on draft training products to interested parties and facilitate feedback gathering
- Consultation with established Public Skills Australia network groups to gather the perspectives of diverse communities including First Nations peoples, women and culturally and linguistically diverse groups
- Engagement with State and Territory Training Authorities
- Public Skills Australia’s website and social media platforms.
Finalisation
Jun 2026 - Aug 2026Further details on the finalisation of this project will be shared here when available.
Project Timeline