New research highlights a surge in AI-focused upskilling, with professionals turning to short-form training to support career growth and industry capability.

As generative AI reshapes the cybersecurity landscape, new national research shows online learning is playing a growing role in strengthening Australia’s cybersecurity workforce, revealing that 84% of learners now view generative AI skills as critical for workplace success.

The 2025 Voice of the Online Learner: Australia Edition report from education provider Risepoint shows that nearly two-thirds of learners are from skills shortage sectors such as technology, where demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to soar into the tens of thousands by 2030.

The research highlights a clear shift towards skills-based learning, with 67% of learners choosing online courses to build job-specific or technical skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace. This focus on practical capability reflects growing pressure on professionals to adapt quickly as roles evolve and new cyber risks emerge.

“Professionals are responding to the evolving skills landscape with focus and purpose,” said Terry Burkitt, Vice President, Education Services, APAC at Risepoint. 

“In areas like cybersecurity, where the nature of work is changing quickly, learners are seeking practical pathways that align with job roles and responsibilities. That’s where short-form programs are gaining momentum.”

The report also shows that short-form online learning is delivering tangible career outcomes. Around one in three (32%) learners reported gaining more marketable skills or certifications, while 26% received a salary increase and 22% achieved a promotion. Others used short-form training to meet employer or industry requirements or to successfully change careers, reinforcing the role of flexible learning in workforce mobility and progression.

Short-form courses are proving particularly valuable for professionals looking to upskill without stepping away from work or taking on the time and financial commitment of a full degree, while enabling faster capability development in fast-changing areas such as AI-driven cybersecurity.

Leanne Ngo, Associate Professor in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at La Trobe University, says short-form, online learning is an accessible way for diverse learners to enhance their own career opportunities, while also helping the industry build long-term workforce resilience.

“What we’ve seen in cyber over the last couple of years is that generative AI has dramatically lowered the barrier to entry for cyber attacks,” says Professor Ngo. “Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue or a compliance issue… Now, it’s a critical human safety issue.

”The technology is moving at such an exponential speed that we need skill sets we don’t even know exist yet, so we need people from diverse cultural backgrounds, with different skills and perspectives. Micro-credentials give individuals the chance to study in an accessible, flexible way that can be balanced with other life demands.”

The findings point to clear opportunities for collaboration between employers, universities and policymakers, including integrating flexible, outcomes-based training into workforce development plans, recognising short-form learning in hiring, promotions and internal mobility, and ensuring training aligns with evolving workforce needs and sector priorities.

As Australia continues to build its cybersecurity capability, short-form training is emerging as a practical, accessible tool for supporting workforce growth, career progression and national skills development.