The DEWR website provides details about the new National Skills Agreement (NSA).  This is a 5-year partnership agreement between the Australian and State and Territory Governments. It will provide states and territories “with access to additional Commonwealth funds of up to $3.7 billion over 5 years.” According to the site, “this takes total Commonwealth investment in state and territory training systems to up to $12.6 billion over 5 years.”

The agreement aims to ensure that the national VET system “provides high-quality, responsive and accessible education and training to boost productivity, deliver national priorities and support Australians to obtain the skills and capabilities they need to obtain well-paid, secure jobs.”

The 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, and
  • Ensuring Australia’s digital and technology capability.”

There are factsheets!

The DEWR site provides access to a number of factsheets. One is focused on providing an overview of the agreement. Others consider TAFE Centres of Excellence, foundation skills, completion issues, the VET workforce and closing the gap.

A quick overview of the NSA

According to the overview, “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.” In addition, and over a period of time, “there is up to an additional $1.3 billion of Commonwealth funding to implement agreed reforms including: