Landmark National Skills Agreement between Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments

• A national agreement between the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments has been signed unlocking billions of dollars to build the skills and prosperity of Queensland.
• The landmark five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) – which includes Fee Free TAFE, will take effect from January next year.
• The Albanese Government is prepared to invest $2.54 billion, to support an investment close to $4billion by the Palaszczuk Government which will expand and transform access to the VET sector, support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs.

A five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) developed under principles agreed by National Cabinet, will embed national cooperation and strategic investment in Queensland's vocational education and training sector.

States and Territories successfully sought a longer-term Commonwealth funding agreement in order to address the ad hoc approach of the previous Coalition government, with a five-year period providing funding certainty that supports Queensland in the development of its comprehensive QVET Strategy.

In an historic first, a new National Stewardship model will coordinate strategic investment in skills across the economy and support delivery of skills needed in national priority areas, as well as providing States and Territories with flexibility to meet local industry skills needs.

The agreement places TAFE at the heart of the VET sector, with TAFEs to be supported by baseline funding commitments.

Major reforms will include the establishment of nationally networked TAFE Centres of Excellence involving partnerships between TAFEs, universities, Jobs and Skills Councils and industry.

The Albanese Government is prepared to invest $2.54 billion, to support an investment close to $4billion by the Palaszczuk Government which will expand and transform access to the VET sector, support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs.

Nationally, the $12.6 billion investment by the Commonwealth includes an extra $2.4 billion in flexible funding to support State and Territory skills sectors with capacity to deliver skills for critical and emerging industries. Priorities include:

• Clean energy and Net Zero transformation of the economy.
• Australia’s sovereign capability, including advanced manufacturing skills, national security, food security and construction.
• Care and support services.
• Ensuring Australia’s digital and technology capability.

This new investment is on top of $414 million already committed for the delivery of 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE places from 2024.

In a significant shift away from the short- term, transactional working relationships of the past decade, a new National Stewardship approach on skills will provide a framework for cooperation across state borders and across national and State and Territory priorities. 

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor:

“This landmark agreement will kickstart real change

“I’d like to thank my colleague Di Farmer for her genuine cooperation in looking to rebuild national vocational education and training, with TAFE at its heart.

“The TAFE sector has endured periods of underfunding, impacts of deregulation, loose rules of VET market entry, a lack of national cohesion and an obsession for competition at the expense of collaboration.

“By providing genuine national leadership in partnership with states and territories, we are building a system that is greater than the sum of its parts.

“A high performing and world class VET sector is crucial for achieving a fairer society and a stronger economy.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Di Farmer

“We are so pleased to have signed the new National Skills Agreement with the federal Government.

“This partnership will mean we’re providing a world-class training system in Queensland  to equip our workforce for the jobs we need now and importantly for the jobs we need for the future.

“But it’s also a game-changer for individual Queenslanders.

“We are committed to providing high quality training no matter who you are or where you are in Queensland.

“This national agreement, including Fee free TAFE, will help us to achieve that in our diverse and decentralised state.
“Training changes people’s lives and we know that for so many it has been the difference between not having a job and getting one. 

“This year alone more than 45,000 Queenslanders have taken up the Fee Free TAFE opportunity. By making it easier for Queenslanders to embark on new careers and upskill we are ensuring Queenslanders have the best possible chance of a good job and a prosperous life.”

MEDIA CONTACT: 

(Office of the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP | Minister for Skills and Training) Ben Ansell 0477 284 411

(Office of the Hon Di Farmer Queensland Minister for Training and Skills) Gary Shipway 0458 090 906