Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Skills and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

Today I am introducing the Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Amendment Bill 2023.

The bill makes consequential amendments to the Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Act 2015 which arise from the enactment of the Trade Support Loans Amendment Act 2023.

The amendments update references in theStudent Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Act 2015 to 'Trade Support Loans Act 2014' with 'Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans Act 2014', to align with the rebranding of Trade Support Loans to Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans.

This rebranding reflects changes to the Trade Support Loans Scheme, which expand eligibility for access to the loans so that they will no longer be limited to trade occupations. Instead, there will be ongoing flexibility for the program to provide support loans for apprentices in priority non-trade occupations such as aged care, child care and disability care.

I commend this bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.