National Skills Agreement

In reply to the Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17 October 2023).

The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills): I have been advised of the following:

Training delivered by TAFE SA will continue to be funded at an appropriate level to deliver on the government's expectations and priorities for the public provider.

This differential has long existed, including under the funding arrangements of the former government, and stems from the role the public provider has in delivering training in regional and remote locations, offering a broad range of courses to deliver on labour market and local needs, providing support services to students, operating campuses with large infrastructure and capital requirements and to deliver on the industrial arrangements to support the workforce.

The role of the public provider is supported by non-government providers and the government continues to provide subsidy levels that are aligned with economic need and quality training.

As the member will also be aware, the 2023-24 SA budget included a $28 million targeted subsidy increase for not-for-profit and industry providers to recognise their critical role in the training system. This is an initiative ITPA has advocated for over many years, and it is the Malinauskas Labor government who has delivered it.