The 2026–27 Budget invests in employment, workplace relations, and skills initiatives to help Australians find secure work, build careers and ensure businesses can access the skilled workers they need.
On this page:
Better Selecting Migrants and Recognising Their Skills
The Government will provide $85.2 million over 4 years from 2026–27 to strengthen Australia’s skilled migration system. Funding includes:
- $75.1 million over 4 years from 2026–27 for a new, modern trade skills assessment system. This includes capacity to integrate occupational licensing into Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) skills assessments. Costs will be fully recovered over the medium term through existing charging arrangements.
- $5.6 million over 3 years from 2026–27 for TRA to deliver a new program of skills recognition for onshore non-skilled visa holders. Costs will be fully recovered over the medium term through new cost recovery arrangements.
- $4.5 million over 4 years from 2026–27 to strengthen the regulatory oversight of skills assessment Assessing Authorities.
The department will also consult on requirements for a skills migration commissioner, with costs to be met from within existing resources.
Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System
The Budget better targets apprenticeship supports through reforms to the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, redirecting employer incentives to small and medium-sized employers and Group Training Organisations, and better aligning support with national priorities through changes to the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List methodology and incentive rates from 1 January 2027. These reforms align with the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System.
Workplace Relations
The Government is extending support for workplace relations priorities. Funding includes:
- $1.3 million in 2026–27 for the Fair Work Commission to continue to provide specialised supports to small businesses navigating the fair work dispute resolution system and Commission processes.
- $4.6 million in 2026–27 to continue to provide targeted assistance to fast track accreditation of residential builders under the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme.
Employment Services and Support
The Government will provide funding of $312.1 million over 5 years from 2025–26 (and $35.9 million per year ongoing) for improvements to the employment services system. Funding includes:
- $285.6 million over 5 years from 2025–26 (and $35.9 million per year ongoing) to invest in a strengthened employment services system and support future reform.
- $26.5 million over 3 years from 2026–27 to increase resourcing for the National Customer Service Line to support job seekers and employers.
Skills and Training
The Government will invest $36.7 million over 4 years from 2026–27 (and $9.1 million per year ongoing) in key elements of the skills and training architecture. Funding includes:
- $35.2 million over 4 years from 2026–27 (and $9.1 million per year ongoing) for Jobs and Skills Australia to continue providing advice under its legislated requirements on Australia’s labour market and skills and training needs.
- $1.5 million in 2026–27 for the Australian Skills Quality Authority to continue compliance actions to address serious integrity issues in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Employment and Workplace Relations 2026–27 Portfolio Budget Statements
The Employment and Workplace Relations 2026–27 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) provides government expenditure estimates for the 2026–27 budget year. The PBS was tabled in Parliament on 12 May 2026.
