Skills reform overview

To support the future growth and prosperity of our nation, the Australian, state and territory governments are committed to improving the vocational education and training (VET) system. A strong VET system is critical for Australia’s long-term economic recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Building on this reform commitment, the Australian Government has also announced a series of initiatives in the 2021-22 Budget and 2022-23 Budget that will strengthen the VET system.
 

2019-21
Immediate reforms and achievements
Independent expert review of Australia’s VET sector: Joyce reviewIndependent expert review of Australia’s VET sector: Joyce review VET Reform Roadmap and consultationVET Reform Roadmap and consultation Heads of Agreement for Skills ReformHeads of Agreement for Skills Reform Strengthening the role of industry and employers in the VET systemStrengthening the role of industry and employers in the VET system Improving VET qualificationsImproving VET qualifications Supporting high-quality training deliverySupporting high-quality training delivery National Skills Commission establishedNational Skills Commission established National Careers Institute establishedNational Careers Institute established Free and low-fee training delivered through the JobTrainer FundFree and low-fee training delivered through the JobTrainer Fund Negotiations for a new National Skills Agreement by August 2021Negotiations for a new National Skills Agreement.
2022-24
Implementation and next steps
Improving access to and support for Foundation Skills Improving access to and support for Foundation Skills Supporting micro-credentials in the training system Supporting micro-credentials in the training system Harmonising and modernising apprenticeships to boost completion rates, support businesses and improve labour mobility Harmonising and modernising apprenticeships to boost completion rates, support businesses and improve labour mobility Improving VET delivered to secondary studentsImproving VET delivered to secondary students Promoting the National Careers Institute as the national front door to local career services Promoting the National Careers Institute as the national front door to local career services Improving VET data collection, use and analysisImproving VET data collection, use and analysis Increasing investment under a new funding model Increasing investment under a new funding model
Ongoing
Benefits
Simplified and streamlined national VET qualifications which are responsive to current and future skills needsSimplified and streamlined national VET qualifications which are responsive to current and future skills needs
Building the skills of the workforce through high-quality and relevant training, with more opportunities for Australians Building the skills of the workforce through high-quality and relevant training, with more opportunities for Australians
Career information is streamlined and empowers informed decision makingCareer information is streamlined and empowers informed decision making
Improved transparency and accountability - learners, employers and industry are all supported to easily navigate a fair and transparent VET systemImproved transparency and accountability — learners, employers and industry are all supported to easily navigate a fair and transparent VET system
National consistency for learners, employers and industry, across course costs and quality, skills needs, subsidies and loansNational consistency for learners, employers and industry, across course costs and quality, skills needs, subsidies and loans

 

Since signing the Heads of Agreement for Skills Reform, the National Cabinet has tasked the Skills National Cabinet Reform Committee with developing a new National Skills Agreement, which will be finalised in the first half of 2022. The Government has committed up to $12 billion over five years from 2022-23 to support the National Skills Agreement.