Terry Young (Longman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] Australia's education, skills and training systems are important for our country's foundation. Education and training lays the groundwork for strong economic growth and creates pathways for more jobs, skilled and experienced workers, and stability across the nation. The Morrison government recognises that young Australians have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns, creating increased levels of stress and anxiety, disrupted school routines, restricted face-to-face contact and difficulties associated with social relationships. But the resilience and adaptability of each and every school system and each and every teacher is to be applauded. It is great to see that more than four million students have returned to the classroom for 2022.

The education and training of young Australians is paramount. Choosing to invest in the time it takes to hone the skills you need to get into a job is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, because the skills you develop can help you get your dream job. I want people in my community of Longman to get ahead, whether that's through developing a new skills or pursuing further study. I'm proud to say that today's Australian education and training systems are strong, with guaranteed choices for Australians looking to get into a job or wanting to start a trade or their dream career.

The Australian government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that people have the right skills for the workforce today and in the future, and I expect the future of education and training to be even stronger under the Morrison government. Through record funding, $7.1 billion in this financial year alone, the Morrison government is ensuring that Australians, whether they live in a city, on the outskirts of a city, or in a rural or regional area, can get into high-quality jobs in their local area.

Today, our $2 billion JobTrainer Fund is supporting up to 463,000 placements in free or low-fee courses in areas of skill shortage through TAFE and registered training organisations. We are seeing results. We started 2022 on the right track, with almost half a million job-ready Australians skilled up, with over 300,000 Job Trainer enrolments and the highest level of trade apprentices on record, with 220,000 in training. That is why the government is providing a record $7.7 billion investment in skills and training this year, 2021-22, more than double pre-COVID levels, to support students, apprentices, training organisations and employers.

As part of its economic response to COVID-19, the Australian government is providing free or low-fee training courses across the nation through its $2 billion JobTrainer Fund so that Australians can upskill or reskill in areas of identified skills need. This investment has seen more than 300,000 JobTrainer enrolments across the country, with nearly 100,000 course completions in areas of employment growth. As part of the 2021-22 budget, the Australian government extended the JobTrainer Fund until 31 December 2022 and expanded it to fund a further 163,000 placements—great news indeed. Under the extension, any Australian who wants to enrol in aged care, digital skills, disability care or childcare qualifications can access a JobTrainer place, regardless of their age, employment status, or prior qualifications.

In addition to JobTrainer, the Australian government has invested $4.8 billion over four years from 2020-21 through the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy to support businesses and group training organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees. This includes $1.2 billion announced in the 2020-21 budget, $2.7 billion announced in the 2021-22 budget, and a further $900 million through the portfolio additional estimates statements 2021-22. There are already more than 1,300 apprentices in Longman, and these new measures will lead to even more opportunities for apprentices and trainees in my electorate and around the country, with expanded wage subsidies. The number of Australians taking up a trade apprenticeship is at its highest level since data was first collected in 1963.

When it comes to school funding, this government invested a record $23.4 billion in all Australian schools last year and will invest a further record $24.8 billion this year. Since we first came to government, funding across all schools has increased by 80 per cent and will increase by a further 40 per cent by 2029. Commonwealth funding for government schools has doubled—it's grown by 100.7 per cent—since 2013 and will see a further 46 per cent increase to 2029. We've locked in record school funding that provides fairer funding for Australian schools, agreed to by all state and territories and approved school authorities. The success of these— (Time expired)

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