The Australian Computer Society has urged the next federal government to take a “unified, national approach” towards reforming digital skills and research commercialisation, warning that the country’s future prosperity is at stake without action.
In its election position paper, the country’s largest professional association for technology workers has put forward a national blueprint recommending a national innovation strategy that helps leave behind the piecemeal reforms of the past.
“Australia has the ingenuity, the research capability, and the talent to thrive in today’s digital economy,” ACS president Helen McHugh said in comments accompanying the policy paper.
“What we need now is a unified, national approach to developing skills and translating innovation into impact. These are not side issues — they are central to our future prosperity.”
The election position paper outlines nine core recommendations that address two main national priorities: developing a modern skills recognition system and transforming research into commercial success.
The two priorities was highlighted at the ACS 2025 Election Forum last week, attended by senior leaders from CEDA, Microsoft, Main Sequence Ventures, UTS and the NSW government.
Building on the root-and-branch R&D review currently underway and due to report by the end of 2025, the ACS said the next government should act on the findings and develop a long-term and apolitical National Innovation Strategy.
It said this should be accompanied by new and better co-investment models that “allow public and private capital to share risk and reinvest returns”, translating more of Australia’s research in the process.
Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) business models are another area that could be enhanced to “foster enduring collaboration across sectors” and overcome excessive regulation.
Public procurement is another “powerful but underused lever” that could stimulate greater innovation and deliver far-reaching economic impact greater than that of standalone funding programs.
The government has recently moved to define an ‘Australian business’ for procurement purposes for the first time and provide fresh guidance to government agencies on value of retained economic benefit.
On education, the ACS said the next government should “fast-track harmonisation” between vocational education (VET) and universities, and expand the use of skills frameworks like SFIA.
It also wants the government to follow through with a long-promised Digital Skills Passport, offering a single record of a person’s university and VET qualifications. The former Coalition pledged to create such a passport back in 2022.
“We’re calling for government and leaders to connect the dots: from digital skills, lifelong learning, and alternative pathways to venture capital and commercialisation,” Ms McHugh added.
“We need to build an economy that’s not only productive and resilient, but also globally competitive. The talent is here. The ambition is here. Now we need the support and systems that match that vision and strategy.”
With Justin Hendry
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