Cyber skills accelerator program

If you are a Queensland Government employee and have been thinking about how to get started in a cyber career pathway, the Cyber Skills Accelerator program might be for you!

The Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group is committed to building cyber capability and providing training to boost the cyber workforce.

The Queensland Government Cyber Security Unit (CSU) is pleased to offer Queensland Government employees three opportunities to accelerate their pathway to a cyber career as part of the Cyber Skills Accelerator program:

• IT Essentials Bridging Program—a first step for staff without IT skills or who need a refresh before expressing interest in the Certificate IV Cyber Security
• Certificate IV Cyber Security—suitable for staff who have either completed the IT Essentials Bridging course or who already have foundational IT skills and who want to develop skills and knowledge for cyber operational roles
• Cyber Security Mobility Program—targeting staff who have completed the Certificate IV Cyber Security and want to build their on-the-job experience.

IT Essentials Bridging Program

Staff interested in the Certificate IV without a background in IT or who would like to refresh their IT skills are encouraged to express their interest for the IT Essentials Bridging Program.

This practical program is designed to bridge the gap to a cyber career through development of fundamental IT skills, including the procedures needed for hardware and software installations, upgrades, and troubleshooting.

The program requires 3 hours of class time on a Wednesday from 6 to 9pm and 3 hours of personal study weekly over the 14 weeks.

Successful completion of this program has assisted staff with foundational concepts that enabled a smoother transition into the Certificate IV in Cyber Security.

Expressions of interest for 2024 are now open. Please visit the TAFE Queensland website to register your interest.

Cost

The cost of this program is co-funded. The retail cost is $880, however the Queensland Government Cyber Security Unit (QGCSU) will contribute $480.  Departments will need to contribute the remaining $400 per person. You will be prompted to pay the $400 contribution during enrolment with TAFE Queensland. Please note prices are subject to change for future programs.

Certificate IV Cyber Security

The Queensland Government Certificate IV in Cyber Security Program is designed to develop skills and knowledge to facilitate entry into cyber security operations roles. Developed in conjunction with TAFE Queensland, the program targets:

• Level 1 IT support staff
• staff who are looking to build on their IT background and take up a role in cyber security
• non-IT staff who are passionate about pursuing a career change to cyber security (completion of IT Essentials is recommended for this group).

Your commitment

Successfully completing this program requires a significant time commitment, with a high amount of self-study required to understand the program’s theory and practice components. We encourage all students to consider whether the program will suit their lifestyle and cyber career goals. It may be beneficial discussing flexible work options with your manager, to allow you to manage your study load throughout the program.

TAFE Queensland South Bank blended delivery

This is a 12-month program. Expressions of interest for the 2025 cohort have now opened. To register your interest, please visit the TAFE Queensland website.

Classes are held at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus for 1 full day per week. The program also has 2 x 3-hour online classes delivered weekly in the evenings. It is also recommended you dedicate approximately 10 hours of self-study per week.

Cost

It is anticipated that most applicants will be eligible for the Fee-Free TAFE funding. In the unlikely scenario where the Fee-Free TAFE funding does not apply, there will be an associated cost of $4,000 to applicants.

Cyber Security Mobility Program

The Cyber Security Mobility Program is a unique capability development program designed and hosted by CSU to support our Certificate IV Cyber Security alumni to gain relevant, on the job cyber security operations experience.

The first pilot of this program concluded in 2023 with two successful applicants securing permanent Cyber Security roles in Queensland Government.

During this time the mobility participants were exposed to a range of cyber activities (e.g., security operations centre duties, DMARC, cyber exercising, etc.) that helped them kick start their cyber careers in Queensland Government.

Queensland Government Certificate IV Cyber Security alumni will be invited to apply for this program directly in 2024.

More information

Contact cyberskills@cyber.qld.gov.au or subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates.