The Australian Government is committed to supporting adults in Australia to increase their English language, literacy, numeracy, digital literacy (LLND) and employability skills – known collectively as foundation skills.
Foundation skills are the competencies that underpin workforce participation, productivity and social inclusion. These are core “learning to learn” skills, necessary to provide people access to an education system from which follows opportunities to develop careers and engage in lifelong learning.
Increasing a person’s literacy and numeracy levels can have a direct and positive impact on their future economic and social wellbeing.
Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program delivers free LLND skills training to eligible Australians.
The program is delivered by a national network of 22 training providers across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia. It supports people to build the foundation skills they need to participate fully in the workforce, prepare for further education, as well as actively engage in the economy and society.
SEE is delivered through 2 distinct and complementary streams:
- General SEE Delivery: skills training delivered by 22 contracted training providers, offering both accredited and non-accredited training, providing more support for learners and includes workplace-based training options.
- SEE First Nations: dedicated to whole of community skills training delivery to First Nations people. SEE First Nations Grants fund First Nations organisations including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), Adult Community Education (ACE) providers or peak bodies (applying on behalf of their eligible members) to design appropriate training to suit their needs.
Whether you're an individual looking to improve your skills or an organisation supporting learners, the SEE Program is here to help.
National Skills Agreement
The National Skills Agreement (the Agreement) that commenced 1 January 2024, is a 5-year joint agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories to strengthen the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Through the Agreement, the Australian Government is partnering with states and territories to support Australians facing foundation skills challenges to access the quality training they need to participate in further education and training, employment, and the broader community.
Discover the Foundation Skills Factsheet
As part of the Agreement, all governments agreed to work together to develop a National Foundation Skills Strategy (the Strategy).
Discover the National Foundation Skills Strategy 2025–2035
The Agreement also includes $77 million for foundation skills training through the Adult and Community Education sector, or equivalent.
Reading Writing Hotline
The Reading Writing Hotline (the Hotline) provides a national phone service for adults seeking English language, literacy and numeracy referral information, advice and support.
The Hotline provides information on:
- adult reading, writing and numeracy classes held locally across Australia or via correspondence
- becoming a literacy volunteer
- adult language, literacy and numeracy teaching and learning resources
- Commonwealth-funded programs for language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills
- Commonwealth-funded English as a second language programs for migrants
- literacy and numeracy in the workplace for employers.
The Hotline is funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and is delivered by TAFE NSW. Further information is available at the Reading Writing Hotline website or phone 1300 6 555 06.
