Have your say: Building a system that puts people and skills first

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the discussion paper ‘Building a system that puts people and skills first’, marking a significant milestone in the development of the National Skills Taxonomy (NST).

The NST aims to untangle the complexity of Australia’s current skills system by creating a common language for skills – making every skill visible, valued, and transferable. This shift will help connect learning and jobs, support fairer recognition and open up more flexible pathways for all Australians.

This consultation is a key step in JSA’s work to develop the NST, which aims to create a shared, evidence-based language for describing skills across Australia’s education and employment systems.

The NST is being designed in collaboration with stakeholders from vocational and higher education, industry, employer associations, unions, and government. It will help make skills visible, valued, and transferable – supporting fairer recognition, better workforce planning and future-ready career pathways.

This discussion paper outlines the proposed definition of ‘skill’ and the framework for the NST. Your feedback will inform JSA’s ongoing research, pilot projects and the next phase of development, ensuring the NST meets the needs of learners, educators, employers and policymakers.

What's new in this step?

• A draft national definition of ‘skill’ that is inclusive and adaptable
• A framework for recognising skills gained through diverse experiences