National Cabinet met virtually today to discuss issues of national importance and agree to a new National Skills Agreement.

National Skills Agreement

First Ministers endorsed the new National Skills Agreement, building on National Cabinet’s close cooperation on other priorities, such as housing and planning.

The Agreement will support a new way of working together to deliver the nation’s social and economic priorities through shared stewardship of the vocational education and training (VET) system.

The new Agreement will see the Australian Government invest up to an additional $3.7 billion in VET over five years, bringing total Commonwealth investment through the Agreement up to $12.6 billion.

First Ministers noted that the National Skills Agreement delivers on the vision and guiding principles previously endorsed by National Cabinet. It will support a shared skills reform agenda that drives improved outcomes nationally, while recognising each state and territory’s unique circumstances and VET systems.

First Ministers also recommitted to fee-free TAFE, noting that almost 215,000 places were delivered in the first six months of this year. The Commonwealth and states and territories will partner to make a further 300,000 TAFE and VET places fee-free from January next year.

National Cabinet noted the shared challenges of skills shortage in every state and territory, and committed to keep working together through the National Skills Agreement and other avenues to ensure Australians are trained for the jobs of the future and the jobs the economy needs right now

This highlights the commitment of First Ministers to deliver high-quality, responsive and accessible vocational education and training to boost productivity and support Australians to obtain the skills they need to participate in rewarding work.

This media statement has been agreed by First Ministers and serves as a record of meeting outcomes.