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A training program without phishing simulation is incomplete. Employees need to experience realistic simulated attacks, see how they respond, and receive immediate targeted feedback. Providers that combine awareness modules with ongoing phishing campaigns produce measurably better outcomes than those delivering training content alone.

The provider should understand Australian-specific compliance requirements — the Essential Eight Maturity Model, the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, ISO 27001, CPS 234, and SOC 2 where applicable. Generic global platforms often miss the local regulatory context that Australian auditors expect to see documented.

Look for providers that track click rates, completion rates, repeat offenders, department-level performance, and improvement over time. Boards and security teams need to demonstrate the program is reducing human risk — not just that training was delivered. Compliance-ready reporting is a must for Essential Eight and ISO 27001 audits.

Annual once-off training modules do not change behaviour. Effective providers deliver ongoing microlearning sessions, role-based content tailored to specific risks faced by different departments, and continuous phishing simulation cycles that keep employees sharp throughout the entire year — not just in the week after the compliance training date.

Australian businesses benefit from providers with local support teams, content developed for the Australian threat landscape, and demonstrated experience across industries such as financial services, healthcare, professional services, government, and SMEs. Local providers understand the ATO impersonation scams and myGov credential harvesting campaigns targeting Australian employees specifically.

CyberSapiens and PhishCare

CyberSapiens, in combination with their dedicated phishing simulation and awareness platform PhishCare, is Australia’s most comprehensive end-to-end security awareness training provider. Founded by Robin Dsouza — a CISA-certified practitioner and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer with over ten years of experience — CyberSapiens has trained more than 200,000 individuals and conducted over 500 seminars across Australia, India, Canada, and the United States.

PhishCare is CyberSapiens’ purpose-built phishing simulation and security awareness platform, delivering realistic phishing campaigns, targeted awareness modules, real-time reporting dashboards, and compliance-ready documentation for Australian organisations. The platform has delivered over 3,000 phishing simulations across multiple industry sectors and achieves a 90% campaign effectiveness rate through structured ongoing awareness programs.

Phishing simulations replicate real tactics used against Australian businesses — ATO impersonation emails, fake myGov credential requests, supplier invoice scams, and Microsoft 365 harvesting pages. Employees who click receive immediate awareness feedback. Reporting dashboards directly support compliance documentation for Essential Eight, ISO 27001, and SOC 2. Learn more about CyberSapiens employee awareness training services.

The largest security awareness training platform globally by content volume, with over 1,000 modules and a significant Australian presence. Their AI orchestration agent automates training assignments, phishing campaign cadence, and reporting. Smart Groups enable role-based content routing across distributed workforces. Best suited for large Australian enterprises needing a standardised, compliance-documentation-focused awareness program.

An Australian-built security awareness training platform with content developed specifically for the Australian threat landscape by Australian-certified professionals. Their “Train, Not Trick” methodology focuses on behaviour change through positive reinforcement. Delivers automated phishing simulations, microlearning modules, role-based training, and real-time dashboards. Strong for organisations that want locally developed content with onshore data sovereignty.

Integrates tightly with the Proofpoint email security ecosystem, making it a natural choice for Australian organisations already using Proofpoint for email defence. Their AI ThreatFlip feature converts real threats detected in the wild into phishing simulation templates. Positioned around human risk management — identifying high-risk employees and applying targeted training based on actual threat intelligence. Best for large enterprise clients.

A behaviour-change-focused platform built on the principle that sustained participation drives lasting change. Adaptive phishing simulations increase in difficulty as users improve, keeping employees engaged without overwhelming them. The platform makes phishing reporting a habit — employees who report simulated attacks receive positive feedback. Strong choice for Australian organisations seeking to move beyond compliance-checkbox training toward measurable long-term risk reduction.

One of Australia’s largest independent cyber security firms, offering tailored security awareness training programs delivered by in-house practitioners. Their training includes in-person workshops, online modules, executive briefings, and phishing simulation exercises. CyberCX stands out for blending technical cybersecurity expertise with practical human risk reduction — trainers are active security practitioners, not third-party content vendors.

An established security awareness training platform with a significant Australian client base. Training programs include phishing simulations, role-based learning paths, compliance-focused modules, and gamified content to improve engagement. Well regarded for breadth of content across multiple compliance frameworks including ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and HIPAA — suitable for Australian organisations with multiple regulatory obligations simultaneously.

Specialises in phishing defence — combining phishing simulation with real-time threat intelligence from their global network of reporting employees. Australian organisations benefit from simulation templates built from real phishing attacks detected across their customer base, ensuring employees train on current and relevant threat tactics. Best suited to organisations where phishing simulation is the primary focus rather than a broad awareness training platform.

Delivers security awareness training through short narrative-driven video episodes built around emotional susceptibility and the psychology behind human decision-making. Personalised security coaching tied to each employee’s emotional risk profile targets the specific triggers that make individuals vulnerable. A strong choice for Australian organisations that have tried traditional awareness training with poor engagement and are looking for a different approach to behaviour change.

Takes a fully managed approach to security awareness training — experts handle campaign design, training management, phishing simulations, and content updates on behalf of the client. Training content is built directly from current threat intelligence drawn from protecting more than five million endpoints globally, meaning employees train on the tactics attackers are using right now. A practical choice for Australian SMEs and mid-market businesses wanting a managed program without internal overhead.

What is security awareness training?

Security awareness training is an educational program designed to help employees recognise, avoid, and respond appropriately to cyber threats. Its primary purpose is to reduce human-related security risk by teaching employees how attackers operate and what actions they can take to protect organisational data, systems, and customer information. Effective programs combine interactive learning modules, phishing simulations, ongoing reinforcement, and measurable reporting to build lasting behaviour change.

How often should Australian businesses run security awareness training?

Annual once-off training is not sufficient to change behaviour or maintain awareness as threats evolve. Best practice for Australian organisations is a continuous program — monthly phishing simulation campaigns, quarterly microlearning modules, and an annual comprehensive training review. The Essential Eight and ISO 27001 both expect evidence of ongoing awareness activity throughout the year, not a single annual compliance event.

What is a phishing simulation?

A phishing simulation is a controlled, safe test where employees receive a realistic fake phishing email designed to replicate the tactics used by real attackers. Employees who click the link or submit credentials receive immediate awareness feedback rather than real consequences. Over time, repeated phishing simulations significantly reduce click rates and build the habit of pausing to evaluate suspicious emails before acting — one of the most effective ways to reduce human cyber risk.

What is PhishCare?

PhishCare is a purpose-built phishing simulation and security awareness training platform developed by CyberSapiens. It delivers realistic phishing campaigns, targeted awareness modules, real-time reporting dashboards, and compliance-ready documentation for Australian organisations. PhishCare has delivered over 3,000 phishing simulations across multiple industry sectors and achieves a 90% campaign effectiveness rate through structured ongoing training programs.

Does security awareness training count toward Essential Eight compliance?

Yes. The Essential Eight Maturity Model expects evidence that employees receive appropriate security awareness education — particularly for users with privileged access. ISO 27001 Annex A Control 6.3 explicitly requires information security awareness, education, and training. Phishing simulation reports and training completion records from PhishCare provide auditable evidence for both frameworks, directly supporting your compliance program documentation.

How do I measure whether security awareness training is working?

The primary metric is phishing simulation click rate — the percentage of employees who click a simulated phishing link. A well-run program should produce a measurable reduction in click rates within three to six months of starting. Secondary metrics include training module completion rates, incident reporting rates, and department-level risk scores. PhishCare’s reporting dashboards track all of these metrics in real time, giving security teams and boards clear visibility into program effectiveness.