Alison Byrnes (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Since coming into government, the Albanese Labor government has been working hard to make our education system better and fairer. We have passed legislation to make early childhood education and care more affordable for all families. We have introduced legislation to increase the wages of thousands of early childhood educators and help attract and retain more people to the profession. We have introduced legislation to increase funding for public schools, enabling states and territories to fully fund public education and implement reforms to help students catch up, keep up and complete their schooling. We have also introduced legislation to help university students, by capping HELP debt increases to the lower of CPI or WPI, reducing debt growth for students. We've introduced Commonwealth prac payments to support students in fields like teaching and nursing with mandatory placement costs, and we've provide free uni-ready courses to boost access, especially for underrepresented groups.

With all of this investment in early childhood education and care, public schools and universities, we are strengthening our commitment to education by further investing in TAFE. The Free TAFE Bill 2024 is not just about boosting our education system; it is about ensuring that every Australian, regardless of their background, has access to the opportunities that they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Australia is currently facing one of the most significant skill shortages that we have seen in decades. The need for skilled workers in critical sectors such as construction, health care, early childhood education and heavy industry has never been more urgent. Nine in 10 new jobs over the next 10 years will need post-school qualifications, and half of those jobs will need vocational education and training.

Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven is in the middle of a two-year research project that aims to identify the current and future skill demands in the Illawarra region. This project is currently collecting region-specific data which will help to develop strategies for local employers and businesses to help attract and retain their skilled workforce. The first survey that the RDA conducted for this project, which included responses from 185 employers, highlighted significant challenges. Fifty-six per cent of the respondents reported experiencing high or extreme levels of skill shortages. Sixty per cent of participants are also anticipating a worsening shortage of skilled workers in the near future. However, despite the very clear demand for these critical skills, too many Australians face barriers when it comes to accessing vocational education and training.

By eliminating the financial barriers to TAFE education, this side of the House aims to empower more Australians to take up vocational training, equipping them with the skills that they need to secure good, well-paying jobs. This will help to open doors for young people, for women, for First Nations Australians, for jobseekers and for those living in regional and remote areas, who have traditionally been underrepresented in the workforce.

This bill is designed with a very clear objective: to make vocational education more accessible, more affordable and more relevant to the needs of our economy.

Fee-free TAFE, which began in January 2023 and ran through to 30 June 2024, has far surpassed expectations, with over 508,000 enrolments in priority courses. This includes 131,000 enrolments in care sector courses, such as disability and aged care; 48,900 in digital technology; 35,000 in construction; and 35,500 in early childhood education and care.

These impressive national enrolment figures highlight how important the free TAFE initiative is, and in Cunningham we have seen more than 5,500 enrolments to date. And these aren't just numbers. They represent real people gaining valuable qualifications. Each enrolment tells a story of someone taking a step toward a brighter future for themselves, for their families and also for our community. In Cunningham, some of the most popular course enrolments were: the cert III in information technology, which equips students with essential digital skills; the cert III in individual support, which prepares workers for vital roles in aged and disability care; and the cert III in early childhood education and care, which is helping to address the growing demand for qualified childcare professionals.

However, the current fee-free TAFE program is set to end on 31 December 2026. Between now and then, we expect that even more people will take advantage of these fee-free courses, boosting our skilled workforce. The new free TAFE legislation will secure at least 100,000 fee-free places each year across Australia, starting in 2027, ensuring that access to vocational training remains a priority for years to come.

Last time those opposite were in government we saw the damage done by their disregard for the vocational educational training system and for skilling Australians. They ripped $3 billion from vocational education and training, decimating TAFE. One of the dangers of electing a Dutton Liberal government is that many communities across Australia would see further cuts to vocational education and TAFE. We cannot afford to let those opposite undermine access to vocational education, shutting down pathways into essential industries that are facing skill shortages.

The Albanese Labor government is reversing the damage of a decade of neglect and cuts from those opposite, and we are rebuilding TAFE for communities across Australia. We can't afford not to have people equipped with the skills our nation urgently needs. We can't afford not to have plumbers, electricians, aged-care workers, early childhood education and care workers, nurses, construction workers, and so many more professions that require a TAFE education. Our government knows we must invest in TAFE, because the future of our economy, our communities and our nation depends on it. TAFE graduates are critical to so many essential industries, and their contributions ensure that our hospitals run smoothly, our infrastructure projects are completed on time, and our elderly and our children are cared for with dignity and compassion.

The Illawarra is so fortunate to have strong TAFE institutions that are providing top-quality training to many of our local workforce. These institutions have shaped countless dedicated and passionate individuals across a wide range of fields, from beauticians and hairdressers to healthcare professionals, aged-care workers, early childhood educators and hospitality experts. TAFE has been the starting point for so many successful careers in our community.

In addition, we have a thriving network of skilled tradespeople across the Illawarra: builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, boilermakers and fitters, who are the backbone of our local heavy industry. This excellence continues with cutting-edge facilities like the $2.5 million renewable energy training facility at Wollongong TAFE, ensuring that our tradespeople are not only prepared for today's jobs but also equipped for industries of the future, particularly in renewable energy. And the Illawarra has a proud history of trades, with BlueScope at its heart. From electricians and fitters to boilermakers and mechanical technicians, the range of trades involved is vast, with each playing a crucial role in ensuring that the plant runs smoothly, safely and efficiently. These tradespeople have attended TAFE for the trade or further qualifications needed to complete their jobs.

As Australia and the world moves to clean energy, we need these tradespeople to be able to upskill and complete courses in clean energy technologies. More and more tradespeople will need to expand their skills and qualifications to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving clean energy sector. As Australia moves towards renewables, TAFE will play a vital role in equipping our electricians, plumbers, builders and engineers with essential knowledge and skills in solar panel installation, battery storage systems, wind turbine maintenance and energy-efficient building practices.

We cannot afford to fall behind here or in any other industry that relies on a TAFE qualification. We need a workforce that is skilled, adaptable and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The demand for skilled workers in sectors like aged care, nursing and the renewable energy industry is set to skyrocket in the coming years. By making TAFE courses free, we are encouraging more Australians to consider these career paths which are not only rewarding but also essential to a thriving economy. Access to education should not be determined by one's financial situation.

For too long, the cost of TAFE courses has limited many capable Australians in pursuing their dreams. This bill is a step towards levelling the playing field, giving everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation, a fair chance at securing a stable and fulfilling career. In regions like the Illawarra this bill will make a huge impact, allowing more people to gain qualifications needed for our region. TAFE is an essential pathway for many people seeking to change careers, upskill their current roles or take their first steps into the workforce. By creating more free TAFE places each and every year we are investing in our local communities, supporting local businesses and equipping individuals with the skills they need to thrive. A more skilled workforce leads to increased productivity, better wages and a stronger economy. By addressing these skill shortages through this bill we are not only supporting Australian and Illawarra businesses but also enabling them to innovate, to expand and to excel in the global market. I commend the bill to the House.

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