Education and Training News

The election of the Labor Government on 24 November 2007 will see changes to education and training policy and funding.

During the campaign the Labor Party released several policy papers outlining its approach to early childhood education, primary and secondary education, vocational education, and higher education.

The Government has already moved to implement some of its policy commitments, and will continue to implement the others over the next few months.

New Department: DEEWR

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Education, Julia Gillard, has announced the new Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) will replace the former Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

Workskill Vouchers abolished

The previous Government's Workskills Voucher and Business Skills Vouchers will not be continued. These will be replaced by a new program consisting of 450,000 training places over 4 years.

More information on how this program will be implemented will be available in the near future.

School Computers

The first Cabinet meeting held in Brisbane agreed to the implementation of the Government election commitment to provide all Year 9 to 12 school students with access to a computer.

The government will conduct an audit of schools current information technology infrastructure prior to issues requests for funding from individual schools.

Each school will be able to apply for up $1 million in funding to purchase computers and other technology, and establish high speed internet connections.

Australian Apprenticeships

The new Government has stated in its policy documents that it will retain Australian Apprenticeships and existing employer and apprentice support schemes.

It has stated that changes may be made to encourage the take up of Australian Apprenticeships in skill shortage areas and to improve completion rates.

More information will be provided as the Government implements its policy.