The nature and effects of current common understandings of the relationship between work and literacy were examined along with the typical design and objectives of workplace literacy programs for members of Australia's work force. Special attention was paid to the following topics: changing demands of work and literacy at work; discourses of literacy at work as skill; new ways of work and new worker identities; effects of new discourses of and at work; current understandings of workplace literacy training; potential futures for workplace literacy training; workplaces as "communities of practice"; opportunities for authentic workplace literacy provision; and mechanisms to access workplaces to promote literacy. It was concluded that, in addition to recognizing the opportunities existing legislation provides for the marketing and development of appropriate workplace literacy training, those involved in the field of workplace literacy must acknowledge the shelf life of legislation and the need for active promotion of continuing legislation that works for the benefit of all workplace participants. It was further concluded that the fluid political situation within which workplace literacy training occurs and its contingency on factors extending beyond traditional and emerging educational contexts and concerns must also be acknowledged. (Contains 41 references.) (MN)