The new government’s approach to Vocational Education and Training

June 2022

Since the election of Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party, Didasko Learning Resources has been interested to see how the new government intends to support the country’s Vocational Education and Training sector.

One month on since their election win, the Labor Party now have the chance to put their election promises into action. To carry out these plans, the government have appointed Jason Clare as Minister for Education, and Brendan O’Connor as Minister for Skills and Training.[1]

A keystone of the government’s VET strategy is a $1.2 billion boost to TAFE. Under the Future Made in Australia Skills Plan, areas worst affected by the pandemic and the nation’s skills shortages will receive increased funding. Hospitality and tourism, as well as trades central to the country’s care economy, such as childcare, aged care, disability care, nursing, and community services, will be among the beneficiaries. TAFE has been promised at least 70% of Commonwealth VET funding, facilitating the creation of 465,000 fee-free TAFE places, including 45,000 fee-paying places. Meanwhile, a $50 million TAFE Technology Fund will work to upgrade IT facilities, workshops, laboratories, and tele-health simulators across the country.[2]

The Labor Party also intends to establish Jobs and Skills Australia, a new body committed to strengthen the VET sector and improve workforce planning. The initiative has been described as a national partnership between the government, employers, unions, and educators; how the initiative plans to work with the National Skills Commission is yet to be seen.[3] As the new government readies to resume parliament, Anthony Albanese announced this week that the formation of Jobs and Skills Australia is one of the party’s top three priorities when parliament meets on July 26.[4]

[1] PARLIAMENT of AUSTRALIA Current Ministry List

[2] Free TAFE and More Uni Places for a Future Made in Australia

[3] Jobs and Skills Australia.

[4] Anthony Albanese sets out domestic agenda for first sitting of new parliament