Australia’s first locally developed artificial intelligence (AI) literacy program for schools will roll out in 2026, with the ambitious goal of reaching one million students within three years.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and not-for-profit EdTech provider Code for Schools announced the program this week, describing it as a major step toward closing the nation’s AI skills gap and preparing students, teachers, and families for a rapidly changing future.
According to the Department of Industry and Science, up to 200,000 AI-related jobs are expected to be created in Australia by 2030. With AI tipped to contribute between $170 billion and $600 billion to the national economy, industry experts say education must play a central role in ensuring students are ready to seize these opportunities.
However, AWS research highlights a significant hurdle: 39 per cent of Australian businesses cite lack of skills as the biggest barrier to adopting AI.
“Without a doubt AI is the most transformative technology of our generation,” said Ms Louise Stigwood, Director of ANZ Public Sector at AWS. “If Australia is going to unlock the full potential of AI, it will be crucial to make AI education accessible and build literacy, confidence and trust in the technology, from the ground up.”
The new program will deliver age-appropriate, curriculum-aligned modules to students across public, independent, and Catholic schools nationwide. Parents, carers, and teachers will also have access to tailored resources.
Key learning areas include:
- Ethical foundations: understanding AI and its safe, responsible use.
- Practical skills: hands-on experiences with AI tools and services.
- Industry insights: case studies demonstrating AI applications across sectors.
- Critical thinking: real-world problem-solving scenarios.
Students using the program will have the opportunity to engage in modules that are aligned with their age and grade. Younger students will begin with building knowledge around fundamental AI concepts like what AI is and how they can use it responsibly and safely. As they progress there will be opportunities to get hands-on experience with different AI services, learn about real-world case studies that show how AI is being leveraged across various industries, and engage in problem-solving learning scenarios.
For parents and carers, resources will focus on demystifying AI, building confidence with generative AI tools, and supporting children’s safe and ethical use of the technology at home.
Supporting teachers
The initiative also highlights opportunities for teachers, both as facilitators of AI literacy and as learners themselves.
“Access to AI tools presents a unique opportunity for Aussie teachers. Not just in their role as educators and supporters for the next generation of Australian’s entering the workforce, but as a tool for their own professional development, driving day-to-day application to enable learning and wellbeing outcomes and supporting critical thinking in and outside of the classroom,” said Ms Megan Woff, CEO of Code for Schools.
Teachers could use AI to develop tailored lesson plans, create inclusive resources, and build their own digital fluency. But time constraints and the absence of mandated professional development in AI remain significant challenges.
“Teachers play a critical role in ongoing responsible AI adoption and innovation in Australian schools, but time constraints and a lack of mandated professional development for building AI literacy presents challenges in building a solid foundation on confidence and trust in the tech,” Ms Woff said.
“When launched, the program will represent a significant step toward helping teachers build their confidence to leverage AI tools and take a leadership role in responsible adoption.”
The program will be co-designed with educators, students, and industry experts throughout 2025, including a pilot with select schools. Nationwide rollout is scheduled for Term 1, 2026, via a national Learning Management System.
AWS and Code for Schools emphasised the importance of developing content specifically aligned to the Australian curriculum and tailored to different audiences – students, teachers, and families.
AWS has already trained more than 400,000 people across Australia through initiatives like its Work-Based Learning Program and AI Ready initiative. The new partnership with Code for Schools will extend that reach into classrooms, forming part of AWS’s wider “AI Spring” program.
AI Spring combines initiatives for schools, startups, and enterprises, backed by AWS’s planned AU$20 billion investment in cloud infrastructure across Sydney and Melbourne by 2029.
“By working together with schools, parents, industry, and government, we can ensure Australia emerges as a global leader in responsible AI adoption—powered by a generation prepared to harness its full potential at every stage of their education and career journey,” AWS said.
