At the Jobs and Skills Summit in September 2022, the Australian government committed to reinvigorate Commonwealth foundation skills programs to improve access and outcomes for all Australians, including a particular focus on the design and delivery arrangements for remote Australia. National Cabinet also included the critical importance of foundation skills in its Vision and Principles for the upcoming National Skills Agreement.

Foundation skills give people confidence to take part in daily life, training and employment. They include listening and speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and digital literacy, as well as skills like initiative and innovation, planning and organising, problem solving and teamwork. Foundation skills are the skills needed for a secure job.

Responses to this discussion paper close on 13 February 2023, and will be critical to inform future foundation skills program design.