Education, Science and Training
Assistance for isolated children — increasing the Basic Boarding Allowance and the Distance Education Allowance
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 17.5 | 18.1 | 18.8 | 19.4 |
The Government will provide funding of $82.1 million over five years (including $8.3 million in 2004-05) to increase the Basic Boarding Allowance and the Distance Education Allowance for students from remote areas. On 1 January 2005, the Basic Boarding Allowance was increased from $4,446 to $6,000 and the Distance Education Allowance was increased to $3,000 per eligible student per year.
This measure was announced on 24 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Investing in Stronger Regions.
Australian network of industry career advisors
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 27.5 | 37.7 | 38.7 | 39.4 |
The Government will provide $143.2 million over four years to establish a national network of industry career advisors. Advisors will support young people, aged 13-19, in achieving a successful transition through school, and from school to further education, training and work. Building on existing programmes and the network of Local Community Partnerships, this measure will facilitate access to career services, mentoring and vocational pathway programmes.
This measure was announced on 26 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Australian Network of Industry Career Advisors.
Australian Technical Colleges
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 65.4 | 86.3 | 102.5 | 95.0 |
The Government will provide funding of $350.8 million over five years from 2004-05 (including $1.6 million in 2004-05) to establish 24 technical colleges. The colleges will accommodate up to 7,200 year 11 and 12 students undertaking school-based New Apprenticeships in the trades, as well as providing academic, information technology and business courses relevant to the trades and leading to the Year 12 certificate.
The first Australian Technical Colleges will commence operation from 2006 with all colleges to be in operation by 2008. Colleges will be encouraged to establish relationships with industry to ensure that training is relevant to local business needs, and will have an industry led governing body. The college principals will have the autonomy to manage the colleges and to select the best staff, who will be offered the option of an Australian Workplace Agreement which will include performance-based rewards.
This measure was announced on 26 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Australian Technical Colleges.
Charles Darwin University — improved information technology infrastructure
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 0.5 | 0.5 | - | - |
The Government will provide $2.0 million over three years (including $1.0 million in 2004-05) to improve information technology infrastructure at Charles Darwin University.
This measure was announced on 20 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Supporting the Territory.
Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 15.3 | 29.4 | 30.3 | 31.1 |
The Government will provide funding of $106.3 million over five years (including $0.2 million in 2004-05) for trade learning scholarships. From 1 July 2005, scholarships of $500 will be provided to New Apprentices, after the successful completion of their first and second years, in skill shortage trades such as plumbing, carpentry and metalwork.
This measure was announced on 26 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment, Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships.
Continuation of the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | -13.6 | -0.3 | -0.3 | -0.3 |
The Government will provide funding of $139.9 million over the four calendar years from 2006 to 2009 ($125.5 million over the period 2005-06 to 2008-09) to continue the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme. Funding will be used for projects to improve teaching quality and teaching performance and for initiatives such as the National Institute for Quality Teaching and School Leadership.
Provision for this funding already has been included in the forward estimates.
The reduction in expenses of $14.4 million over the period 2005-06 to 2008-09 reflects the re‑profiling associated with the change from a financial year to a calendar year programme. This will align the programme’s funding arrangements with the school year and result in a revised funding profile of $20.3 million in 2005-06, $34.3 million in 2006-07, $35.1 million in 2005-06 and $35.8 million in 2008-09.
This measure was announced on 3 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment The Coalition’s Plan for Higher Standards and Values in Schools.
Further information can be found in the press release of 8 April 2005 issued by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.
Indigenous Youth Leadership
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
The Government will provide funding of $12.9 million over five years (including $1.0 million in 2004-05) to help create opportunities to develop Indigenous youth leaders. This will allow over 250 school and university based scholarships and targeted study tours to be offered to Indigenous young people. Potential scholarship recipients will be nominated by local communities and selected by the Indigenous Elders Advisory Group.
This measure was announced on 17 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Indigenous Australians — Opportunity and Responsibility.
Indigenous Youth Mobility
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
The Government will provide funding of $23.1 million over five years (including $7.0 million in 2004-05) to introduce an Indigenous Youth Mobility Programme. Over 600 Indigenous people from remote locations will be offered accommodation in capital cities and major provincial centres so they can take up apprenticeships, and other employment and training opportunities. Accommodation will be provided through Aboriginal Hostels Limited.
This measure was announced on 17 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Indigenous Australians — Opportunity and Responsibility.
Institute for Trade Skill Excellence
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 4.3 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 4.8 |
The Government will provide $22.9 million over four years to establish an Institute for Trade Skill Excellence, which will provide industry endorsement of registered training organisations. The Institute will reward excellence and promote improvements in trade training. It will also improve the status of trades where there are skill shortages.
This measure was announced on 22 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Institute for Trade Skill Excellence.
James Cook University — Additional Veterinary Science and Tropical Agriculture Places
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 1.7 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Related revenue ($m) | ||||
| Department of Education, Science and Training | - | .. | .. | 0.1 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Education, Science and Training | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide a total of $14.0 million over four years to meet the costs of an additional 50 undergraduate veterinary science and 50 undergraduate tropical agriculture places at James Cook University each year. The first 100 places will begin in 2006.
Amounts loaned under the Higher Education Loans Programme (HELP) for students taking up these places are treated as financial assets and therefore do not impact on the fiscal balance. Payments by students of the indexation component of their HELP loan are treated as interest revenue. These payments will impact on the fiscal balance from 2006-07.
This measure was announced on 21 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Supporting North Queensland.
James Cook University — Veterinary Science School
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 6.0 | - | - | - |
The Government will contribute $12.0 million over two years (including $6.0 million in 2004-05) towards the development of a new Veterinary Science School at the Tropical Sciences and Innovation Precinct of James Cook University.
This measure was announced on 21 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Supporting North Queensland.
New Apprentice poaching — adjusting incentive payments
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
The Government will provide $0.7 million over four years to ensure that employers are not financially disadvantaged by the operation of New Apprenticeship incentives when New Apprentices, before completing their training, move to a new employer. This initiative will share the completion incentive payment under the New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme between employers who have provided 25 per cent or more of a new apprentice’s training.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Step Up to a New Apprenticeship in the Trades.
New Apprentices — increased residential support
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 0.5 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
The Government will increase residential support for New Apprentices at a cost of $5.8 million over four years. The Living Away from Home Allowance provided under the New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme will be extended to New Apprentices in the third year of their apprenticeship at the rate of $25 per week.
This measure was announced on 17 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Residential Support for New Apprentices.
New Apprenticeship incentives — broadening eligibility
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
The Government will provide funding of $2.6 million over four years to expand eligibility for New Apprenticeship employer incentives. From 1 July 2005 employers will be able to apply for incentives for New Apprentices who have attained self-funded Certificate I – IV qualifications (commenced within two years of leaving school) through TAFE or private training organisations.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Step Up to a New Apprenticeship in the Trades.
New Apprenticeships Access Programme — additional places
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 12.6 | 12.8 | 13.0 | 13.2 |
The Government will provide funding of $51.7 million over five years (including $0.1 million in 2004-05) to fund additional places in the New Apprenticeships Access Programme. This funding will assist prospective apprentices gain the skills required to enter the New Apprenticeships Programme. The measure will deliver an additional 5000 places each year, from 1 July 2005, targeting industries and regions with skill shortages.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Step up to a New Apprenticeship in the Trades.
Pre-vocational training in trades
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 4.4 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
The Government will provide funding of $20.0 million over four years for pre-vocational training, to assist up to 4,500 people interested in careers in the traditional trades to gain access to the New Apprenticeship system.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Step Up to a New Apprenticeship in the Trades.
School infrastructure — investing in our schools
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 247.4 | 271.0 | 270.7 | 95.8 |
The Government will provide funding of $1,017.0 million over five years (including $132.0 million in 2004-05) to restore and construct school buildings and grounds.
Government schools will receive $700.0 million over five years for capital projects identified by school parent committees in conjunction with school principals.
Non-government schools will receive $300.0 million over five years for capital projects identified by school communities. Within this overall funding, priority will be given to needy Catholic and Independent schools.
This fulfils the election commitment $1 billion Investment In Our School Infrastructure announced by the Government on 26 September 2004.
Funding of $17.0 million over five years (including $2.5 million in 2004-05) will be provided to the Department of Education, Science and Training to administer the programme.
Funding will also include a payment of $200,000 to upgrade the Hagley Farm Primary School Interpretation Centre in Tasmania and its accommodation facilities for students. This fulfils the election commitment Strengthening Tasmania’s Economy and Building a Better Community announced by the Government on 7 October 2004.
School term hostels
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
The Government will provide funding of $13.1 million over five years (including $2.4 million in 2004-05) to pay non-government school term hostels a grant of $2,500 per eligible student per year.
Further information can be found in the press release of 8 December 2004 issued by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.
This measure was announced on 24 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Investing in Stronger Regions.
School-based New Apprentices in the trades — increased opportunities
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 1.4 | 4.4 | 8.9 | 11.3 |
The Government will provide $25.9 million over four years for an additional 7000 school-based New Apprenticeships in traditional trades. Particular priority will be given to areas that are under‑serviced, and to trades that are experiencing increasing demand and/or skills shortages.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Step Up to a New Apprenticeship in the Trades.
Tool kits for New Apprentices in skill shortage trades
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 28.7 | 29.5 | 30.4 | 31.2 |
The Government will provide funding of $120.2 million over five years (including $0.4 million in 2004-05) to assist New Apprentices to acquire tools up to $800 in value that are associated with their trade. This measure will apply to New Apprentices in skill shortage trades who commence their apprenticeship from 1 July 2005.
This measure was announced on 22 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Tools for Your Trade.
University of Western Sydney — infrastructure projects
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 8.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | - |
The Government will provide $25.0 million over three years to the University of Western Sydney for a range of infrastructure projects, including teaching facilities at the Parramatta and Hawkesbury campuses, a new library at the Penrith campus and a medical training facility at the Campbelltown campus.
This measure was announced on 19 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Supporting Western Sydney.
Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy — extending payments to New Apprentices
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Education, Science and Training | 117.3 | 126.8 | 136.2 | 142.4 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Centrelink | 2.7 | 1.2 | - | - |
The Government will provide income support assistance to apprentices and trainees who do not currently qualify for Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy because they are engaged in full time employment, at an estimated cost of $530.8 million over five years (including $8.1 million in 2004‑05). Apprentices and trainees will be eligible for payments from 1 July 2005. Eligibility for payments will be means-tested in accordance with normal Centrelink requirements.
In addition, capital funding of $6.6 million over three years (including $2.6 million in 2004-05) will be provided to purchase information technology required by Centrelink to implement this measure.
This measure was announced on 26 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Extending Youth Allowances to New Apprentices.