NSW 2023 Budget handed down

The NSW Budget was handed down on Tuesday 19 September. Much of the new spending in the education and training portfolios is directed at schools. There is a substantial pay rise for teachers and a boost to the Innovative Teacher Training Fund, $4.9 billion for new and upgraded primary and high schools in Western Sydney and regional NSW and an Education Future Fund which will focus on literacy and numeracy tutoring programs, school counsellors to support mental health needs, an expanded school breakfast program and community languages programs.

At the vocational education level there is a stated intention to restore TAFE in order to address skills shortages and to provide opportunities for people to gain training, education and employment. The budget announced:

• $112 million to meet the TAFE funding shortfall and a thorough VET review.
• $93.5 million for 1,000 extra apprentices across the NSW Government by 2026.
• Fee free vocational education places for training in in-demand skills and industries and fee concessions for Commonwealth welfare beneficiaries and people with a disability to undertake Certificate IV and below qualifications through the Smart and Skilled program.

Budget papers can be accessed here.