Skills for sustainable growth

A record of investing in people

This Government has already made substantial investment to support skills acquisition, including significant reforms to higher education in the last Budget. The skills investments continue through the Skills for Sustainable Growth strategy.

A strategy for skills

The strategy aims to boost the skills base of the Australian workforce and ensure that our education and training systems are responsive to industry, employer and individual needs.

Skills for recovery

The Government will invest $300 million to address skill hotspots.

This includes a $200 million Critical Skills Investment Fund to support quality training where it is needed most through partnerships with industry. The investment is expected to fund up to 39,000 training places.

The fund will leverage industry co‑investment, providing support for 50 per cent of the cost of training for large firms and up to 90 per cent of the cost of training for small firms.

Funding will be allocated through a competitive process.

Continued investment by employers in trade skills is vital as the economy strengthens. The Government will build on the success of the Kickstart Apprenticeship bonus by providing $79 million for small and medium businesses to take on young traditional trade apprentices in skill shortage occupations.

This measure will provide greater access to training and support for around 22,500 apprentices.

The Government is also providing $20 million to encourage competency based apprenticeships, improving the efficiency of skills formation.