Foundation skills training aims to equip Queenslanders enrolling in training with the skills and abilities they need to successfully complete a qualification.
It provides opportunities to build the core capabilities for effective workplace and community participation, including language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) and employability skills.
Foundation skills training must be tailored to the individual student's needs based on an evaluation of their current capabilities against the requirements of the qualification. To benchmark these capabilities, we support the use of:
- Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)
- Core Skills for Work (CSfW) Development Framework (CSfW).
A training and support plan must be developed—and supported by the student—identifying how the foundation skills training will be delivered, and the foundation skills outcomes to be achieved through to completion of their qualification.
Students can be enrolled in a full foundation skills qualification or units of competency depending on their individual requirements. Foundation skills training can be delivered either:
- as a stand-alone program prior to commencing their qualification
- concurrently with their qualification in a parallel learning approach
- integrated in their qualification training.
Completion of any foundation skills qualification, regardless of the qualification level, does not affect the student's eligibility for government funded training programs.
Students accessing Australian Government programs
The Australian Government funds several foundation skills programs including the Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP) and the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program.
Students who meet the eligibility requirements for Australian Government foundation skills programs should participate in those programs, instead of any foundation skills training through Queensland Government funded programs.
Foundation skills resources
These resources inform training providers of contemporary approaches to the development of foundation skills.
The Crux of the Matter 2011: Language, Literacy and Numeracy and Vocational Educational and Training (PDF, 4.4MB)
The Crux of the Matter was updated in 2011 to take into account changes to the VET system: the development of the Australian Core Skills Framework (replacing the National Reporting System) and the review of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).
The aim of this resource is to improve language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) practices within vocational education and training (VET) delivery and assessment, and to comply with the AQTF through a planned approach to LLN.
It provides models of good practice, suggestions and practical assistance and a number fact files that include practical information and tools.
Foundation skills training package implementation guide (PDF, 441KB)
A guide designed to assist individuals and organisations delivering the Foundation skills training package (FSK).
Last updated 28 August 2025
