“The budget has made a number of significant skills training commitments and the focus now turns to ensuring that these put students are at the heart of the skills training sector,” said the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.
“The government’s commitment includes include $871.7 million over 5 years for 480,000 fee-free skills courses in industries and regions with skills shortages, including around 180,000 places under a one-year partnership agreement with states and territories commencing from 1 January 2023,” said Troy Williams, ITECA chief executive.
“The budget commitments are welcome and we need to ensure that the Albanese Government backs a student’s decision to study with the provider of their choice, whether this be a quality independent skills training provider or a public one.”
Independent skills training providers support more than 87% of the 4.3 million students in skills training across the country, according to the ITECA.
 |
| "Sustained cost pressures" ASBFEO Bruce Billson |
Meanwhile, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says the Budget will provide “welcome capability building, mental health and financial advice support for small businesses and incentives to grow, transform and become energy efficient.”
Billson noted that the Budget includes:
“$62.6 million over 3 years for small and medium sized businesses energy efficiency grants to reduce energy use and lower bills. The funding will support studies, planning, equipment and facility upgrade projects that will improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions or improve the management of power demand.
“$10.9 million in extra funding for the New Access for Small Business Owners mental health support program operated by Beyond Blue, which offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches providing evidence-based advice on strategies for managing stress.
“$4 million extra for the Small Business Debt Helpline operated by Financial Counselling Australia offering free, independent, confidential and impartial phone-based support to small business owners.
“$5.8 million over 4 years to support education and compliance associated with introducing the positive Respect at Work duty on employers; and $2.1 million over 4 years to establish one-stop shop for workplace sexual harassment information including support service referrals and employer responsibilities.
“$3.4 million over 4 years to support the development and delivery of education, technical advice and support services targeting the needs of small business employers to support the implementation of 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave.
“$7.9 million over 4 years for the Fair Work Commission to support uptake of enterprise bargaining for small business.
“$15.4 million over 4 years to establish the Startup Year program to deliver HELP loans to graduates, postgraduate and final year undergrad students. The business focussed accelerator program will encourage innovation and support Australia’s startup community.
“$18.6 million in Digital Solutions grants for advisory service providers to help small businesses wanting to get online to access high quality, independent advice at low cost.
"Funding to improve mobile and broadband connectivity and resilience in rural and regional Australia.
“Reaffirms tax deductions – the Technology Investment Boost and Skills and Training Boost providing an extra 20% deduction.
“More funding for childcare, increased fee-free TAFE and vocational education places, extending the relaxation of work restrictions for student visa holders and a one-off incentive for older Australians to work more hours without losing their pension will assist in helping combat skills shortages.”
Billson added: “Small and family business owners are literally exhausted. They are struggling to make rosters work and keep doors open due to labour and skills shortages; grappling with supply troubles that means critical inputs, goods and services are not always available, on edge about cyber security fears and some are fighting floods and other natural disasters.
“The Budget forecast that inflation will be 7.75% at the end of this year and still high at 5.75% by the middle of next year and 3.5% in mid-2024, tells small and family businesses they will face sustained cost pressures on their businesses.”
