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Are you part of an international standards committee working on critical technologies? Keen to broaden your knowledge of Australia’s interests and learn how to better influence outcomes?

We are offering a Tech Standards training program to help standards makers:

  • understand how standards can impact the national interest
  • further develop skills and knowledge in areas of cultural intelligence and the geopolitics of standards.

We want Australia to be at the forefront of new technologies. That’s why we’re supporting Australian experts to develop high-quality international technical standards. Our goal is to shape how we develop and adopt new technologies.

We want international standards for technologies on our List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest to reflect Australia’s interests and expertise.

Training on different topics will be on offer until June 2026. You can apply at any time to join the program and access the latest training session dates.

Upcoming training

We’re running the next online training workshops 'The Geopolitics of International Standards' and 'Cultural Intelligence' in the 2024-25 financial year. 

We may schedule more workshops based on demand. 

Both are highly interactive sessions involving theory and practical components. Leading experts in their subject areas will run the workshops. 

The Geopolitics of International Standards 

This 2.5-hour seminar-style workshop will cover:

  • the concept of geopolitics
  • how the geopolitical rivalry in technology is reshaping the international system
  • an analytical framework to observe and understand how standards can be sources of geopolitical power
  • discussion on how core principles of standards setting can be preserved. 

Cultural Intelligence

This 6-hour workshop will run over 2 days and cover:

  • exploring one’s own and other cultural contexts, driving values and communication challenges  
  • strategies to maximise effective communication in international standards forums
  • practising cultural competency skills in the virtual classroom 
  • guided group discussion with other Australian standards makers, linked to your own cultural experience.

About the training providers

The Australian National University (ANU)
ANU scholars Professor Anthea Roberts and Dr Darren Lim will draw on their knowledge of the geopolitics of critical technologies standards to give this training. They will offer Australian standards makers academically rigorous and multi-disciplinary views. This will help standards makers better understand their own work in the fast-changing geopolitical landscape.

Professor Anthea Roberts is a professor at the School of Regulation and Global Governance at ANU. She was the primary investigator on the research project ‘The geoeconomics of critical technology standards in Southeast Asia’. She is working on issues about governing in complexity, including policymaking at the intersection of economics, security, social issues and the environment.

Dr Darren Lim is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Politics and International Relations at ANU. He is the primary investigator on the research project ‘Standards-taking power in Southeast Asia’. He is working on topics such as the geoeconomics and geopolitics of critical technology standards, Australian economic statecraft and economic coercion.
Beasley Intercultural
Beasley Intercultural work with public and private sector clients to create cultural capability and build global workforce development solutions. It helps clients be more effective when working in diverse and global workplaces.

Beasley Intercultural’s cultural specialists will tailor the Cultural Intelligence workshops to members of international standards forums. They come from many backgrounds: cultural, professional and academic.

Learn more or apply to join the training program

Read the program guidelines to find out if you are eligible. Applications are open at any time.
Read the guidelines

Need a security clearance?

Our new Tech Standards Security Clearance Program also supports Australian experts setting international critical technology standards. We’re sponsoring and funding Australian Government security clearances to support information sharing between industry and government.

We have funding until June 2026 for security clearances. You can apply at any time to take part. 

Learn more or apply to join the security clearance program

Read the program guidelines to find out if you are eligible.

More information

Read more about our work to shape critical technology standards
Read the Australian Government’s plan to be a world leader in designing, developing and using critical technologies