National Skills Agreement: Vision and Principles

The following vision statement and guiding principles for longer-term vocational education and training (VET) reform under a new National Skills Agreement have been agreed by Skills Ministers and endorsed by the National Cabinet on 31 August 2022:

On this page:

“Australia needs a VET sector that provides high-quality, responsive and accessible education and training to boost productivity and support Australians to obtain the skills they need to participate and prosper in the modern economy. Recognising the key role the VET sector plays in providing strong economic and social outcomes for Australians, all governments commit to working in partnership to negotiate a National Skills Agreement which:

  1. provides critical and emerging industries at a national, state and local level with the skilled workers they need and secures a domestic workforce to deliver on current and future priorities
  2. supports training providers to deliver quality education and training, with a modern and responsive TAFE at the heart of the VET sector — including by upgrading TAFE facilities, prioritising wrap-around supports for priority groups, supporting a quality teaching workforce and strengthening collaboration with industry and unions
  3. ensures that all Australians — particularly women, First Nations Australians, young people, mature age Australians, those experiencing long-term unemployment, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, and regional and remote learners — have access to the education, training and support needed to obtain well-paid, secure jobs
  4. ensures that no Australians are left behind as the Australian economy transitions and adapts to structural change, including by providing opportunities for life-long learning and foundation skills development
  5. supports informed decision-making for students, workers, employers and governments through skills and labour market analysis informed by Jobs and Skills Australia, access to relevant career information and improved transparency
  6. pursues greater national consistency where beneficial to ensure access, equity, and transparency, while providing states and territories with appropriate flexibility and autonomy to deliver national, state and territory priorities; is clear and simple; and reflects genuine tripartite engagement with the sector on reform.”