According to the Future Skills Organisation Workforce Plan 2025, Australia could face a shortfall of 131,000 technology workers by 20301. That’s a big gap, and it’s a risk to our nation’s innovation and growth.
The good news? Kids are keen to learn – 75% say digital skills are vital for their future careers according to the 2024 Australian Youth Digital Index. Yet only half2 are being taught how to code at school.
Enter Patch: a high-tech, mischievous animatronic puppet set to be a true ‘code mate’ to thousands of kids across the country.
Designed to bring the magic of coding to life, because it’s more fun when we do things together and coding is no different. So, we’ve created Patch, a mate for kids to learn with.
For over two decades, we have helped thousands of Aussie kids dive into coding through engaging and free programs like Code Club.
This October, we’re taking things up a notch with Codemates. An Australian first – it’s the country’s first publicly available experience in which children (aimed at 8–15-year-olds) can program and control an animatronic puppet in real time via a web-based coding interface.
Cheeky, funny, and impossible to ignore - Patch is coding’s most entertaining sidekick.
Via a live feed, kids can watch as their efforts come to life in real-time as they program Patch to perform a series of different actions and sequences – from dance moves to kung fu and even furry flatulence (yes, Patch burps and farts).
Integrating live coding and remote execution with a physical character, it’s all about putting children in the driver’s seat alongside a friendly copilot and unleashing them to explore new digital skills through creativity, play and humour.
Why learning to code matters in a rapidly changing world
According to the 2024 Australian Youth Digital Index, more than half of young people (58%) want a job using advanced digital skills.
While 1 in 2 Australian kids agreed they had been taught how to code at school – the majority of kids surveyed (75%) demonstrate an independent appetite for self-learning digital skills. This is compared to acquiring skills from parents / family members (43%) or friends (42%), for example.
Coding isn’t just about writing lines of numbers, letters and inputs – it's often referred to as software engineering for a reason. It’s about solving problems, figuring out sequences, and breaking down complex challenges.
Think of it like solving a Sudoku puzzle: you’re not just filling in numbers, you’re using logic, deduction, and strategy. Coding works the same way - and the more you engage with it, the sharper your computational thinking becomes. That kind of mental muscle helps you get more out of technology, whether you're building with AI or navigating other digital tools.
“I love coding because it lets me be creative and tackle problems step by step, which is valuable for any career path. Thanks to Codemates, thousands of kids now have a coding buddy, making learning to code fun and collaborative.” - Chloe (16), student and member of Telstra Foundation’s 2025 Youth Advisory Council.
How Codemates works
This year, Codemates launches during the 10th anniversary of Moonhack – an Australian-born and now international coding event that brings together tens of thousands of kids from around the world.
Ready to see what your child can create? Visit the Codemates website and join the coding adventure.
1. Future Skills Organisation’s Workforce Plan 2025: Pathways to Impact report – June 2025
2. Australian Digital Youth Index 2024. In response to ‘I have been taught how to code at school’ - 50% of respondents answered ‘Agree’ or ‘Strongly Agree’
