Why Australia is Falling Behind in Coding Education: A Wake-up Call

Educators are increasingly recognising that ones and zeros could be just as crucial as learning ABCs. As the only universal language that connects the digital world, coding offers a pathway for Australia to unlock its potential as a leader in technology - if we start teaching it early. With technology continuing to disrupt industries and redefine how we live, equipping the next generation with coding skills is not optional - it’s essential. Australia’s curriculum needs an urgent overhaul to prepare students for a future where digital literacy is as fundamental as reading and writing.

Collaboration with coding
The common student complaint “why do I need to learn this” stems from how schools often teach subjects like maths, art, and physics in isolation, as though they have no real-world connection. In reality, these fields are deeply intertwined. Take the construction of a major building or piece of infrastructure: it's not just the work of a mathematician, civil engineer, or architect, but a collaborative effort blending engineering, design, and material science. More than ever, the world now operates in a collaborative way, merging coding, science, technology, engineering, art, and maths - a holistic approach. This integration is crucial to solving the complex challenges of today’s world, and it’s time our education system reflects that reality.

Coding, like learning a language, is best taught early. While concerns about screen time for young children are valid, coding doesn’t always require screens. It’s often more effective when taught through unplugged activities or educational robots, which help kids grasp coding principles by giving commands and solving problems. As AI becomes more prevalent, coding skills will be even more essential in the future. Teaching children how to ask the right questions and provide the right prompts should be part of the national literacy curriculum, preparing them for a world increasingly shaped by technology like generative AI.

Coding also opens the door to a more inclusive future, especially for neurodiverse children. Far beyond just an academic skill, coding empowers them by unlocking their problem-solving abilities, creativity, and unique way of seeing the world. Tech pioneers like Steve Jobs, HP’s Bill Hewlett, and former CISCO CEO John Chambers, (who overcame learning disabilities), demonstrate how neurodiverse minds can innovate and excel in the tech industry. By integrating coding into education, we can unlock the potential of all students, fostering an inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

The Urgency of Coding in Primary Schools
Research also shows significant improvement in kids’ maths grades when the maths is taught through hands-on coding. Countries across Southeast Asia are already developing future tech leaders by making coding a core part of their primary education. In Singapore and India for example, students are introduced to the world of cybersecurity and data science as part of their regular school curriculum. These initiatives ensure that no child is left behind as technology transforms the workforce.

Australia, however, lags behind and urgently needs a recalibration. Despite the introduction of the Digital Technologies curriculum which includes coding, its implementation has been inconsistent across the country. While some schools offer robust coding programs, many others barely touch on it and the degree to which it is compulsory and the quality of coding education can vary significantly depending on the school, resources, teacher expertise, and local policies. This fragmented approach fails to prepare Australian children for a world where technology and digital skills will be paramount in almost every industry. It’s not about increasing screen time; it’s about making that screen time count by focusing on activities that prepare students for future challenges.

Addressing Australia's Tech Talent Shortage
Among Australia’s current tech talent shortage there is a growing demand for software developers, cybersecurity experts, and data scientists, but the local workforce is struggling to meet this demand. The Tech Council of Australia reports that Artificial intelligence could lead to 200,000 AI-adjacent jobs by 2030, with the potential to inject billions into the Australian economy. However, meeting those targets will require a workforce expansion of 500% in the next few years. Unless significant reforms are taken, the country may face a skill shortage when it comes to this burgeoning technology. Giving kids exposure to coding from an early age is an opportunity to capture their interest and nurture their curiosity in coding and STEM related pathways.

The tech industry is answering the call using their applications to nurture skills and future proof local tech talent. New Relic, an Intelligent Observability Platform, provides students of all levels (high school, college, and bootcamp) full access to their New Relic Student Edition which gives free hands-on learning and expanded access to its observability platform. Young coders can learn and practice valuable, in-demand skills for careers in today’s hottest tech fields.

In an era where technology touches every aspect of life, teaching coding from an early age is vital because it equips children with the skills to not only navigate the digital world but to actively shape it. Teaching coding is about more than preparing kids for future jobs; it’s about empowering them so we can build a more inclusive, diverse, and innovative future for Australia.