?Australia pledges AUD 30 million to spend on cyber security growth centre

A recent survey found that two-thirds of Australian young adults had never discussed a career in cybersecurity at high school; Tehan said Australia needs to work harder to encourage future employment in the sector as there is a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.

"Australia also needs talented cyber professionals to help protect our national and business interests online and to encourage innovation," Tehan said. "The Centres of Excellence extends the government's work encouraging young people into cyber careers through the Australia Cyber Security Challenge and Women in Cyber networking event."

Birmingham said the government wants to ensure that the funding for cybersecurity is being directed as strategically as possible.

"In an important next step we will also appoint a working group to review the courses currently on offer at universities and the eligibility and selection criteria for establishing the Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence," Birmingham added.

"Ultimately, our Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence will help ensure our students are ready to enter the workforce, that we can up-skill executives and government professionals, and that our research highlights Australia as a leader in the field."

In December, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pledged AUD30 million through to 2019-20 as part of the government's AUD1.1 billion National Science and Innovation Agenda to establish a new industry-led Cyber Security Growth Centre in a bid to grow and strengthen Australia's cybersecurity industry.