Skills framework for the information age (SFIA)
The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) is a global framework that helps define skills for digital, data, and technology roles using a common language. It’s a practical tool that supports individuals and organisations in building and strengthening their digital and ICT workforce capability in a smart and strategic way.
Using SFIA in the Queensland public sector
We are committed to developing a highly skilled digital workforce as we continue to deliver modern, responsive, and innovative public services.
SFIA enables agencies to:
- align capability to strategic goals: map workforce skills to agency priorities and broader digital transformation initiatives
- plan for the future: identify emerging skills needs as technologies evolve and ensure workforce readiness
- promote development: support individual career progression and upskilling pathways
- build workforce readiness: foster adaptability by identifying transferable skills within the workforce.
SFIA helps with:
- Recruitment and role design: create clear and consistent job descriptions for digital, ICT, and tech-related roles using SFIA-defined skills.
- Performance management: set role expectations by matching duties to SFIA skill levels.
- Learning and development: identify skill gaps and design targeted training plans using SFIA skills.
- Strategic workforce planning: align current workforce skills with future digital transformation needs.
- Career pathways and mobility: show employees how they can grow and move within digital, technical, and ICT roles.
Getting started
Start using SFIA with these simple steps:
Access SFIA tools and licencing information
The Queensland Government has free access to SFIA tools through a whole-of-country licence supported by the Australian Government.
Register an account on the SFIA Foundation website to access the framework and additional tools.
Note: Ensure you acknowledge SFIA within any products and services you develop by either using hyperlinked text (e.g. Powered by SFIA-AU) or by using one of the SFIA logos. If your product does not support hyperlinks, use the following text:
This publication contains information from the Skills Framework for the Information Age used with permission from the SFIA Foundation.
Visit the Australian Government’s Digital Profession website for full terms of use and downloadable SFIA logos.
Map roles and skills
Mapping SFIA skills to roles
Use the detailed SFIA role profiles to understand how various digital and ICT roles function.
SFIA complements the JEMS process but does not replace it. Use SFIA to refine role competencies, while continuing to use JEMS for job classification and levels within the Queensland public sector.
Mapping SFIA skills to public sector levels
The following model can be used as a guide on how to map the levels in SFIA to Queensland public sector levels. This model applies to roles in the following areas of expertise:
- Technology and application building
- Technology services
- Enterprise implementation
- Enterprise governance.
| SFIA Classification | Public service award equivalent roles |
|---|---|
| SFIA 1: Follow | AO3 |
| SFIA 2: Assist | AO4, PO2, TO2 |
| SFIA 3: Apply | AO5, PO3, TO4 |
| SFIA 4: Enable | AO5, AO7, PO3, TO4 |
| SFIA 5: Ensure, advise | AO7, AO8 |
| SFIA 6: Initiate, influence | AO8, SO |
| SFIA 7: Set, strategy, inspire, mobilise | SO, SES |
Conduct skills audits
Identify skills gaps and strengths by auditing individual and team capabilities. This provides an evidence base for decisions about recruitment, restructuring and team development.
Develop career pathways and training programs
Define career progression pathways and create tailored and targeted development plans, aligned with SFIA levels, for your employees. This supports employee retention, mobility and upskilling.
Plan strategically for workforce needs
Use SFIA to align your digital capability planning with your agency’s strategic goals. This helps ensure the workforce remains future-ready as technologies, service delivery methods, and workplace priorities evolve.
More information
For support in integrating SFIA into your agency, contact your departmental workforce planning team or email the Digital Capability Team at digitalictcapability@chde.qld.gov.au.