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Capability 5.1.4

AI Development & Application Skills

Definition

Technical expertise to turn AI research into real-world, reliable systems. Building and developing AI systems. This includes machine learning engineering, data pipelines, testing and verification, continuous delivery, and human-centred, secure-by-design approaches. Engineering practice.

Examples

  • Open – Applied Machine Learning: Project-based course covering the full machine learning lifecycle from design to deployment
  • Machine Learning Operations (MLOps): Focuses on deploying, monitoring and maintaining AI systems. QCIF and Intersect training exchange.

Indicators

  • Domestic hiring ratio vs imported AI specialists
  • Open-source AI code contributions from Australian developers (GitHub, Hugging Face)
  • Proportion of advanced AI engineers and researchers employed within Australia
  • Investment in multidisciplinary AI education programs that blend research, engineering and operations
  • Existence and scale of domestic (accredited) training capacity
  • Skills & Cirricula mapped to Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) frameworks
  • Presence of articulated entry level pathways (vet/uni/professional)
  • Workforce participation and diversity (gender, region, age, etc.)
  • Industry collaborations and placements
  • Government and public sector capability
  • CPD or microcredential uptake across professions
  • Ratio of skilled migrants vs domestic graduates in AI roles

National AI Plan

PLAN COMMITMENT

Limited commitment

Treats AI skills as a workforce priority, supporting lifelong learning, digital literacy, technical AI capability and specialised expertise through national skills and training systems (Action 5), including the National Skills Agreement, Jobs and Skills Councils, vocational education pathways and the FSO AI Skills Accelerator. Includes a brief mention of specialist skills, but no specific initiatives to support AI development and application skills. Limited commitment by government is a missed opportunity to increase domestic maturity in a globally scarce capability with high public interest value.

Stocktake

Is the Stocktake missing evidence?

Share additional information for potential future Assessments