Bolstering skills –migration and schools

Skilled migration

To help target more immediate skills needs, the Government will:

• increase skilled migration places by 20,000 in 2005-06 to a record 97,500, up from 24,100 in 1995-96
• introduce a new visa to allow overseas nationals to undertake full-fee apprenticeships
• make it easier for business to attract skilled workers to fill short-term vacancies through changes to the taxation of foreign source income for temporary residents ($105 million over 2007‑08 and 2008‑09).

Schools

Schools are the bedrock of opportunity for Australia’s children and the key to our long-term skilled labour supply.

This budget recognises the vital role teachers play in educating our children, and will provide $140 million to extend the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme, which supports professional learning for school teachers and leaders.

This builds on the Government’s election commitment A Billion Dollar Investment in Our School Infrastructure, which will provide for much needed school infrastructure.

Through these measures and the Schools Agreements with the states and other education authorities, the Government will provide $33 billion to Australian schools over 2005-2008, some $9.5 billion more than the previous four-year period. Australian Government spending on schools will increase from $3.4 billion in 1996-97 to $9.5 billion in 2008‑09.

The Government is committed to ensuring young Australians receive the guidance they need to assist them to navigate key transitions at school and move on to further study and work. For this purpose, this budget will provide $143 million to deliver an Australian Network of Industry Career Advisers.