The draft Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bills 2015 released for public consultation today highlights the Australian Government’s commitment to high-quality international vocational education and training (VET). Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham welcomed the consultation, saying the growth in the numbers of international students studying skills training in Australia demonstrated…
Australian apprentices, people interested in an apprenticeship, and their employers will be able to get more help, from more locations, than ever before with start of the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) today. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said the new Apprenticeship Network was the biggest reform to apprenticeship support…
The Government has today released the new vocational education and training (VET) guidelines, implementing important reforms to further safeguard the VET FEE-HELP student loan program. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said the latest measures come into effect in two tranches – 1 July 2015 and 1 January 2016 – and tighten…
New data on vocational education and training (VET) enrolments supports the Australian Government’s reforms to lift the quality of all vocational education and training (VET) providers and support greater student choice. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said the Government-funded students and courses 2014 report, released today by the National…
Tonight at a reception celebrating National TAFE Day an unexpected election announcement by Shadow Minister Sharon Bird showed that Labor has no idea where they stand. 12 months ago, on the last National TAFE Day, Mr Shorten said “And I have asked our Shadow Minister for Vocational Education Sharon Bird to work with all of…
In a further bid to strengthen the vocational education and training (VET) sector, the Coalition has confirmed additional funding to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the additional funding to ASQA will help bolster the Authority’s regulatory powers and remove excessive paperwork and red tape…
The Government has today announced a ban on withdrawal fees that will make it easier for students to withdraw from courses that they have been inappropriately signed up to. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said this new measure will further protect students, taxpayers and the reputation of the vocational education and…
The six organisations that will make up the new Industry Skills Fund Skills Adviser Network have been announced today. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the Industry Skills Fund (ISF) Skills Adviser Network will invest $43 million over the next three years to provide intensive support to businesses that are looking…
The Coalition Government is committed to supporting the jobs and skills needed to grow and diversify the Australian economy. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the Government was investing around $6 billion this year to support people undertaking vocational education and training (VET), including more than 300,000 apprentices. “One of our…
South Australian families and employers have been waiting to see if today’s State Budget delivers real plans to tackle the jobs crisis in our state. With the highest unemployment in the nation, PremierJay Weatherill and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis must change tack from the last year. They need to admit SA has a problem, accept their…