EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Australian Technical Colleges
The Australian Government is investing $351 million over the five years to 2008-09 to assist more young Australians into traditional trades through Australian Technical Colleges. In 2005-06, the Australian Government is providing $65.4 million to assist with the establishment of the first of the Australian Technical Colleges to start in the 2006 school year.
The Australian Technical Colleges will assist up to 7200 Australians a year into traditional trades by providing them with the opportunity to commence their training in a traditional trade through a School‑based New Apprenticeship while at the same time completing academic subjects leading to a year 12 certificate.
The Australian Technical Colleges will be established in 24 identified regional and metropolitan locations and will provide these local communities with the opportunity to develop local solutions to address skill shortages while at the same time providing an alternative education opportunity for young people in each region.
Investing in Our Schools Programme
The $1 billion Investing in Our Schools Programme, announced by the Prime Minister in 2004, will directly assist schools throughout Australia over the five years to 2008-09.
Over the five years to 2008-09, $700 million in new funding will be injected into state schools throughout Australia to help repair, replace or install new items critical to the school's overall infrastructure needs.
A total of $300 million in new funding will be provided over the same period to Catholic and independent schools through the Block Grant Authorities (BGAs).
The focus will be on delivering projects which improve the infrastructure of schools in accordance with priorities identified by school communities — that is, the people who know best — parents, friends, the teaching profession and students associated with the school.
The Investing in Our Schools Programme commences in 2005 and will continue until the end of 2008.
Capital Grants Programme
In 2005-06 the Australian Government will provide a record $392.2 million as part of its school Capital Grants Programme. This represents an estimated increase of $30.3 million or eight per cent over 2004-05.
The programme provides state and territory governments with an estimated $1.6 billion over four years to assist them to build, maintain and upgrade state schools throughout Australia. Australian Government funded projects typically include the construction of new schools, additional classrooms, libraries and other vital school facilities to improve educational opportunities for our children.
The Australian Government will provide $193.8 million in capital funding to non-government schools, and a total of $699.2 million over four years from 2005-06 to 2008-09. These funds include $17 million over four years to provide capital grants for Catholic and Independent schools in isolated areas and communities in the Northern Territory.
This funding will make a real difference to non–government school communities in remote and isolated regions who face substantially greater costs for capital construction and refurbishment than metropolitan and regional schools.
Non-Government School Term Hostels Programme
The Non-Government School Term Hostels Programme is a new Australian Government initiative that commenced in January 2005. The programme is targeted at not-for-profit non-government school term hostels that operate principally to accommodate primary and secondary students from rural and remote areas of Australia. Under this four year initiative eligible hostels will attract a grant of $2,500 per eligible student per year. The programme also supports rural communities by providing an affordable alternative to boarding school or distance education for rural and remote families.
Country Areas Programme
In 2005-06, the Australian Government will provide an estimated $28.4 million under the Country Areas Programme (CAP) which will benefit Australian schools and students in rural and remote communities.
This represents an estimated increase of $6.6 million or 24 per cent over the previous year to government and non‑government education authorities. Of the $28.4 million, an estimated $23.9 million will be provided to state government schools and an estimated $4.5 million will be provided to Catholic and independent schools. The Australian Government recognises that students attending primary and secondary schools in geographically isolated areas often have more limited access to educational opportunities than metropolitan students. Australian Government funds for CAP are provided to state and Northern Territory government and non-government schools.
Funds can be used to support projects which:
- Enhance the curriculum through excursions and visits, attendance at cultural and sporting events.
- Assist with the transition to further education, training or work.
- Provide access to professional development for teachers.
Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
From 2005, the Australian Government has significantly increased assistance under the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (AIC). The AIC Scheme helps the families of primary, secondary and under 16 year old tertiary students who are unable to attend an appropriate government school on a daily basis primarily because of geographic isolation.
The Basic Boarding Allowance and the Distance Education Allowance both received a significant boost from 1 January 2005. The Basic Boarding Allowance increased from $4,446 to $6,000 per year from 1 January 2005 and will help around 7,500 students who have no choice other than to board away from home at a school, hostel or private home. This results in an estimated increase in funding of $39.6 million over the four years to 2008-09. The Distance Education Allowance increased to $3,000 per year for students who study at home through distance education. The increase — some $1,759 for a primary school student and $1,140 for a secondary school student in 2005 — reflects the increased costs of new computer technology and communications infrastructure required by students. This results in an estimated increase in funding of $21.3 million over the four years to 2008-09. The Second Home Allowance and Additional Boarding Allowance increased by the CPI from the beginning of 2005.
Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Programme
In 2005–06, the Australian Government will provide almost $500 million for the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs (LNSLN) Programme. From 2005, the LNSLN is the Australian Government’s key targeted programme to provide additional assistance for educationally disadvantaged students, including students from rural areas or who are geographically isolated.
Around $2.2 billion will be provided under the LNSLN Programme between 2005-06 and 2008-09 as follows:
- The Schools Grants element will contribute an estimated $1.97 billion to government and non‑government education authorities to provide additional assistance in schools for the most educationally disadvantaged students.
- Non-government Centres Support element will contribute an estimated $154 million to improve the educational opportunities and learning outcomes of children with disabilities.
- The National Projects element will provide an estimated $44.3 million funding for national projects and initiatives to improve the learning outcomes of educationally disadvantaged students, including improved literacy and numeracy outcomes.
National Skills Shortages Strategy
Under the National Skills Shortages Strategy, the Australian Government is funding a number of regional skills pilots to identify and develop practical strategies to address a region's current and future skills needs. In each pilot, the Australian Government will work with regional stakeholders such as industry, education providers and the broader community to:
- Profile existing and potential industries in a region.
- Identify common factors and solutions to skills issues.
- Engage relevant national, state and local industry and training bodies.
- Identify skills and training needs.
- Pilot practical strategies that could be used in other regions.
Pilots are already underway in Townsville, Illawarra and the Hunter. Recently, submissions were called for under this strategy to broaden the number of projects and approaches. New regional projects are expected to begin by the end of June 2005.
Rural and Regional Skills Shortage Special Commencement Incentive
Under the Rural and Regional Skills Shortage Special Commencement Incentive the Australian Government boosts training in rural and regional Australia by providing a special commencement incentive for rural or regional employers who employ New Apprentices in occupations where there are skills shortages.
Group Training
Group Training is an arrangement whereby an organisation employs apprentices and trainees under an Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract and places them with host employers. The organisation provides for continuity of their employment, additional care and support and manages their training. There are Group Training Organisations located in most regional centres.
Group Training in the Trades Programme
The Group Training in the Trades Programme aims to address current critical skill shortages in traditional trades through group training arrangements. The Australian Government is providing an additional $45.9 million to assist 11,500 people nationally over the next four years to undertake a New Apprenticeship in the trades, either through a School-Based New Apprenticeship or by undertaking pre-vocational training.
Tools for Your Trade Programme
The Australian Government will provide funding of $120.2 million over five years, including $400,000 in 2004‑05, to assist New Apprentices to acquire tools up to $800 in value that are associated with their trade. This initiative will apply to eligible New Apprentices starting out in skill shortage trades from 1 July 2005. This will help alleviate the financial burden on the New Apprentice when they enter an apprenticeship in the identified skill shortage trades.
Employers of eligible New Apprentices will receive a toolkit after the New Apprentice has completed the initial three months of their training, and they will make it available to the apprentice to use. The New Apprentice will be entitled to keep the kit upon completion of a further six months of training.
The Australian Government will continue to address skill shortages and provide skills training through existing programmes and initiatives.
Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships
The Australian Government will provide around $106.3 million over the five years 2004-05 to 2008-09 for Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships. Under this initiative eligible New Apprentices employed in small and medium businesses in skills shortages trades may apply for a $500 incentive payment on successful completion of their first and second years.
New Apprenticeships Access Programme
The Australian Government will provide $51.7 million over five years for an extra 5,000 places in the New Apprenticeships Access Programme targeted at industries and regions experiencing skills shortages. This is in addition to the 4,500 places already available annually through the programme. Under the programme, participants receive pre-vocational training, support and assistance to obtain and maintain a New Apprenticeship. Eligible client groups include the long term unemployed, Indigenous Australians, early school leavers and people aged 45 and over. Priority for the additional places is to be given to job seekers who have successfully participated in the Work for the Dole programme or are receiving intensive support from the Job Network, thus supporting the Australian Government’s aim of moving people from welfare into sustainable employment outcomes.
Rural New Apprenticeship Options
The progressive implementation of the Rural Production and Horticulture National Training Packages across Australia has significantly expanded the range of rural production and horticulture New Apprenticeship options that are available for primary producers in all sectors, for production and other horticulturists, for gardeners and landscape gardeners, and for nursery operators.
In most states and territories, general agriculture and horticulture New Apprenticeships are now available at Certificate levels II, III and IV, in addition to a range of sector–specific New Apprenticeships for: pig production, goat production, sheep, wool and poultry production, horse breeding, beef/cattle, milk, harvesting, dairy sugar, cane production, grain production, cotton rural merchandising production, horticulture, floriculture, landscape, nursery, parks and gardens, arboriculture and turf management.
Living Away From Home Allowance
New Apprentices may be eligible for Living Away From Home Allowance for the first three years of the New Apprenticeship if they have had to move away from the parental or guardian home to commence or remain in a New Apprenticeship.
Basic IT Enabling Skills for Older Workers Programme
Basic IT Enabling Skills (BITES) provides 11,500 older workers per year with the opportunity to undergo nationally recognised training in information technology. It is designed to help low-income, mature age (45 and over) job seekers gain nationally recognised skills in information and communication technology, for them to operate personal computers effectively at a basic level in the workforce. BITES courses are advertised locally and through Centrelink.
Regional Disability Liaison Officer Initiative and Disability Coordination Officer Programme
The national network of Regional Disability Liaison Officers and Disability Coordination Officers assist those people with a disability who are interested in post-school options to move between school, vocational education and training, higher education and employment by providing information, co-ordination and referral services.
Regional loading — extra funding for regional universities
The Australian Government committed to an additional $146 million over five years from 2004 to incorporate a regional loading into the Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS) for students enrolled at regional campuses. This measure supports the provision of higher education at regional campuses which face higher costs as a result of such factors as location, size and history.
New Commonwealth — supported higher education places
The Australian Government will fund 9,100 new Commonwealth–supported higher education places in institutions in 2005. These places will grow to 24,883 places by 2008 as students continue in their courses. Institutions submitted bids for the new places against a range of criteria that were developed in consultation with state and territory governments. The bids were assessed on a competitive basis against these criteria, which included institutional capacity, regional priorities, workforce demand, student demand and an ability to sustain growth in national priority areas. More than 45 per cent of the new places were allocated to regional universities or regional campuses of metropolitan universities.
The Australian Government also introduced 440 new university places in nursing with a focus on aged care. These places commenced in 2005 and will grow to more than 1,200 by 2008. Regional universities and regional campuses of metropolitan universities received half of these new places.
Additional undergraduate places for James Cook University
The Australian Government will provide $14 million over four years to James Cook University for 100 new undergraduate places for veterinary science and tropical agriculture in 2006, rising to 274 places by 2009. This is part of the election commitment to help James Cook University establish a Marine and Tropical Sciences Precinct. The Precinct will be located in Townsville and will include a new veterinary school, to which the Australian Government will provide $12 million towards infrastructure costs.
The new undergraduate places will provide opportunities in North Queensland for students to study veterinary science. The new school will produce veterinarians with expertise in tropical animal diseases, and with skills in the prevention and early detection of diseases in livestock. This will help James Cook University position itself as a leader in the teaching and research of veterinary science and tropical agriculture. The new undergraduate course in tropical agriculture will not only produce tropical plant experts in the region, but will stimulate vital agricultural research.
Extra funding for information technology infrastructure at Charles Darwin University
The Australian Government will provide $2 million over three years to Charles Darwin University for the upgrade of its information technology infrastructure. The new funding is part of the Australian Government’s election commitments supporting the Northern Territory.
The project will improve the University’s administration systems, its online education and flexible delivery mechanisms, strengthen its communication services and upgrade information technology services. It will provide better access for regional students to vocational and higher education in the Northern Territory.
Commonwealth Learning scholarships
The Australian Government has provided $426.1 million over five years from 2004-05 for almost 40,000 new scholarships, which will assist rural, regional and Indigenous students from low socio–economic backgrounds with costs associated with higher education.
The Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS) will provide successful students with approximately $2,000 per year for up to four years to assist with their education costs. The Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS) will provide successful students with approximately $4,000 per year for up to four years to assist with the costs of studying away from home. More than 22,500 CECS are being offered over five years from 2004 and more than 17,000 CAS over the same period.
The CAS will particularly benefit students from regional and rural areas by providing assistance with the costs of living away from home, such as accommodation.
Australian Network of Industry Careers Advisers
The Australian Network of Industry Careers Advisers (ANICA) election commitment of $143.2 million over the four years 2005-06 to 2008-09 will support young people between 13-19 years of age to access professional career advice to achieve a successful transition through school and from school to further education, training and work.
The ANICA will provide significant new support in regional and rural Australia for improved career and transition services. This will lead to better career choices by young people, more effective transition planning and better matching of young people’s interests with opportunities.
An Australian Government network of Local Community Partnerships (LCPs) will partner with industry and professional career advisers to facilitate access to quality career and transition support for all young people and better prepare them for post-school options. LCPs will also link schools with local business and industry representatives to ensure schools have a better understanding of local labour market and economic development opportunities. The network of LCPs will continue to deliver Structured Workplace Learning and through its management of projects across the country, increase access to the successful Adopt a School model.
In addition to the support provided through the LCP network young people will also have access to professional career advice from industry experts. A network of regional industry career advisers will be on‑the‑ground industry champions and knowledge brokers with a comprehensive understanding of regional industry skill needs and local opportunities and sensitivities. Industry career advisers will have an understanding of employability skills and be supported by industry relevant careers resources.
Extension of Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy payments to New Apprentices
From 1 July 2005, the Australian Government will extend eligibility for Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY payments to eligible full-time New Apprentices, who will be able to apply for the same payments that are currently available to full-time students. This will assist them in the early years of their New Apprenticeship when their wages are generally at their lowest.