Apprenticeships and traineeships

Payroll Tax Rebate (Trainees, Apprentices and Youth)

The Payroll Tax Rebate Scheme provides payroll tax relief to businesses operating in Tasmania that employ apprentices, trainees and youth employees. The Scheme was extended to 30 June 2024 and applies to all new apprentices and trainees employed before that date. The payroll tax rebate is provided for a two-year period from the date that apprentices and trainees are employed and one year from the date that youth employees are employed (Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, p. 59).

In the 2022-23 budget (p. 56), it was estimated that the scheme would cost $3.3 million in 2023-24.

Employment

Build Up Tassie

Funding of $4 million ($225 000 in 2023-24) is provided over six years from 2023-24 for Build Up Tassie, a free work readiness program for anyone aged between 16-24 looking to enter the construction industry. Build up Tassie is a program run by Centacare and St Joseph Affordable Homes, which helps vulnerable young people into work, while building affordable homes. This Homes Tasmania initiative will be delivered in conjunction with the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Budget paper no. 2 volume 2: Government services, p. 130; Budget overview, p. 19).

Jobs Hub Initiative

The Regional Jobs Hubs Program has already delivered more than 3000 job outcomes, engaged more than 5500 employers, and supported 1200 training outcomes. While the implementation phase is still under evaluation in 2023, at this stage the Government has committed $5.5 million ($2.75 million each year from 2024-25) to extend the Program until 2025-26 (Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, pp. 247 and 251).

Industry

Delivering the Renewable Energy Agenda

This initiative will provide additional funding of $2 million in 2023-24 and $1.75 million in 2024-25 to progress the Government's Renewable Agenda, particularly Project Marinus, onshore and offshore renewable energy developments, Battery of the Nation projects and the implementation of Renewable Energy Zones in the State (Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, pp. 247 and 249).

High Vis Army continuation

Introduced in the 2021-22 budget (pp. 328 and 334), $5.75 million will be provided over the next two years for the $10 million High Vis Army program (Budget overview, p. 19).

Small Business Growth Strategy Grants Program

This initiative will provide grants to businesses and organisations for the delivery of projects that align with the Small Business Growth Strategy 2026. The program has been allocated $455 000 in 2023-24 and $230 000 in 2024-25 (Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, pp. 248 and 252).

National Agreements

In 2023-24, the Australian Government will provide estimated funding of $54.4 million to support the state's skills and workforce development services through the National Skills and Workforce Development Specific Purpose Payment (SPP) and National Partnership and Project payments.

National Skills and Workforce Development Specific Purpose Payment

Funding from the Commonwealth Government under the National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development is estimated at $36.8 million in 2023-24 (Budget paper no. 1: The budget, p. 103).

National Partnership Payments

The total Skills and Workforce Development National Partnerships payments are estimated to be $17.6 million for 2023-24, comprising:

• Energising Tasmania - $3 million
• Fee Free TAFE - $4 million
• North-West Tasmania Job Ready Generation Fund - $600 000
• JobTrainer Fund - $5 million
• Skilling Australians Fund - $5 million (Budget paper no. 1: The budget, p. 105).

Training providers and programs

Freer Farm Centre of Excellence

The 2018-19 budget (p. 104) included $5 million for an Agricultural Centre of Excellence based at Freer Farm in Burnie, to support growth in the agriculture industry through a modern training facility that uses contemporary equipment and infrastructure. The 2023-24 Budget provides additional funding of $1.5 million for new and upgraded farm infrastructure to complete the Centre of Excellence (Budget paper no. 2 volume 2: Government services, p. 122; Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, p. 250).

Literacy Community-wide Framework

$6.5 million is provided over four years ($1 million in 2023-24) for the implementation of the Literacy Community-wide Framework. In 2021, the Government announced a comprehensive review of literacy policies, approaches and supports in place in Tasmania spanning the early years, schools and adult learning. The Literacy Advisory Panel has developed a community-wide framework towards the aspirational goal of achieving 100 per cent functional literacy in Tasmania. These literacy skills will empower Tasmanians to participate meaningfully in family, work, and life and to contribute to the Tasmanian community and economy. It is anticipated that the framework will be finalised late in 2022-23 and implemented from 2023-24 (Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, pp. 209 and 212).

Skills and Workforce Development funding

The 2023-24 budget estimates around $667 million in expenditure for Skills and Workforce Growth over the next four years, including support for thousands of Tasmanians to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship (Budget overview, p. 19).

The expenses for Output Group 3.1: Skills and Workforce Growth are estimated at $180.845 million in 2023-24. Additionally, skills, training and workforce growth related expenses for Output Group 90 - COVID-19 Response and Recovery, comprising the Rapid Response Skills Initiative, are estimated at $2.15 million (Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, p. 258).

Skills Tasmania Data Systems

This initiative is allocated $600 000 in 2023-24 to plan and scope the replacement of Skills Tasmania's core data systems to a contemporary standard and ensure capacity to meet national VET data requirements (Budget paper no. 2 volume 1: Government services, pp. 247 and 252).

Skills Up! program

$1 million will be provided for the Skills Up! program to provide free short courses at TasTAFE (Budget overview, p. 19).

TAFE teachers

More than $30 million is allocated over four years for more TasTAFE teachers to ensure the continued growth of TasTAFE and support student learning (Budget overview, p. 19).

TasTAFE Priority Infrastructure Upgrades

This initiative will provide $3 million over two years ($1 million in 2023-24 and $2 million in 2024-25) to address priority infrastructure upgrades across TasTAFE facilities, as identified by the recently completed review of physical infrastructure and resolve immediate priority maintenance issues. The priority items to be considered for this funding include:

• assessment of, and urgent repairs to, roofs
• urgent replacement of ageing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning infrastructure
• fire panel and electrical switchboard upgrades.

Priority will be given to maintenance that contributes most to TasTAFE providing best practice training that meets the needs and expectations of Tasmanian learners, employers and industries (Budget paper no. 2 volume 2: Government services, p. 122; Budget overview, p. 19).

TasTAFE transition

Continued funding will be provided to support the TasTAFE transition, including more than $10 million for new student learning hubs at Devonport, Burnie, Clarence, Hobart and Alanvale campuses (Budget overview, p. 19).

VETiS in Tasmanian Government high schools and colleges

Over $2 million is provided for Department for Education, Children and Young People Registered Training Organisation (DECYP RTO) to deliver VET courses for students aged 15 to 19 years (Budget overview, p. 19).