Apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeship and traineeship funding

$24 million is allocated towards apprenticeships and traineeships to offer Territorians the opportunity to study and earn an income while undertaking a qualification (Budget and regional overview, p. 11). Women also receive additional incentives, such as pastoral care, and are targeted for traditional trades (Budget and regional overview, p. 16).

Continuing programs: Workwear and gear bonus and Travel and accommodation allowance

$6.7 million is provided to support Territorians undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship including travel and accommodation subsidies, support schemes for those living in regional and remote parts of the Northern Territory (NT) as well as the Work Wear Work Gear bonus. The workwear and gear bonus provides up to $1000 to support first-year apprentices and trainees buying workwear and equipment, and the apprenticeship and traineeship travel and accommodation subsidy scheme supports apprentices and trainees who live more than 50 kilometres (one way) from the nearest registered training organisation that provides off-the-job training for their qualification (Media release, 20 May 2024; Budget and regional overview, p. 11).

Employment

Initiatives to address workforce shortages in the Territory

This key existing initiative administered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is allocated $1.55 million in 2024-25 (Budget paper no. 3: Agency budget statements, p. 88).

Mini Woolies

The Territory Government has partnered with Woolworths to open the first Mini Woolies at Henbury School, which simulates a supermarket setting. This partnership supports Territory students' education through hands-on-learning experiences and provides them with transferrable skills for future vocational education and training (VET) pathways and employment opportunities (Budget and regional overview, p. 11).

Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education

$2 million is provided for the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education program which enables remote residents, particularly women, to pursue a teaching career in schools and early childhood care (Budget and regional overview, p. 16).

Industry

Supporting women in construction and engineering

$278 000 is provided to continue the support for women to undertake study in the fields of construction and engineering (Budget and regional overview, p. 16).

Supporting the screen industry

This key existing initiative administered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is allocated $3.11 million in 2024-25 (Budget paper no. 3: Agency budget statements, p. 88). The budget supports the screen industry with funding of $5.2 million in 2024-25, including an additional $3 million over two years from 2024 25 to support the Screen Territory Funding Program, which includes the Production Attraction Incentive Program, story and games development, project production, career development and industry partnerships (Budget and regional overview, p. 18).

International education

The Study output of the Tourism, services and hospitality output group within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade promotes the Territory as an international education and training destination. Study has estimated expenses of $1.544 million in 2024-25 (Budget paper no. 3: Agency budget statements, pp. 87 and 93). The budget also supports international students moving to Darwin by providing grants of up to $750 to assist with flight costs for their relocation to the Territory, grants to cover the first six weeks of an international student's accommodation fees at either UniLodge or International House Darwin, and the International Student Wellbeing Grants of up to $10 000 for employment skills initiatives, volunteering and leadership programs, sporting activities, community and multicultural events as well as mental health awareness activities (Budget and regional overview, p. 13; Media release, 20 May 2024).

National Agreements

The Australian Government will provide estimated funding of $35.755 million in 2024-25 to support the Northern Territory's skills and workforce development services through the National Skills Agreement and Free-Free TAFE National Partnership.

National Skills Agreement

Funding from the Commonwealth Government under the National Skills Agreement is estimated at $35 million in 2024-25. The National Skills Agreement came into effect in January 2024 and replaces the National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development national specific purpose payment (NSPP), however payments will continue to be reported as an NSPP until Commonwealth legislation is changed to replace the NSPP with a national partnership payment under the new agreement (Budget paper no. 2: Budget strategy and outlook, p. 58; Budget paper no. 3: Agency budget statements, p. 97).

Fee-Free TAFE

Funding for Fee-Free TAFE places is estimated at $755 000 in 2024-25 (Budget paper no. 3: Agency budget statements, p. 97).

Training providers and programs

Workforce funding

The Workforce output group, within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, administers the vocational education and training (VET) system. The budget aims to address workforce shortages and supporting employment opportunities through $109.24 million to support VET and ensure the skill requirements of the Territory economy are met through training, workforce growth and skilled migration initiatives (Budget paper no. 3: Agency budget statements, p. 87; Budget and regional overview, p. 10).

Minister for Equality Scholarships

$65 000 will be provided to fund seven Minister for Equality Scholarships for tertiary and vocational education and training through Charles Darwin University (Budget and regional overview, p. 16).

New Trades Training Centre

The Territory Government is investing $4.8 million into the new $10 million Charles Darwin University Trades Training Centre. The two-storey centre features a heavy equipment precinct, an assembly area, an industrial sand pit, and classrooms, and has been designed for trades courses that need larger work spaces, with initial focus on carpentry and roof plumbing. The centre is expected to open towards the end of 2024 (Media release, 20 May 2024).

New interim training facilities

The 2024-25 infrastructure program includes $57 million to construct two new interim standalone women's therapeutic prison facilities in Darwin and Alice Springs, and an interim men's training prison facility in Darwin. For the women's facilities, a new trauma-informed approach will incorporate women-specific educational and therapeutic programs, including vocational training, psychosocial programs and culturally relevant, clinical treatment. The existing Don Dale Youth Detention Centre will be refurbished for use as an interim training facility for male prisoners to get them work ready (Budget and regional overview, pp. 7, 8 and 17).

Strengthening VETiS

This key existing initiative for the Department of Education is allocated $1.2 million in 2024-25 (Budget paper no. 3: Agency budget statements, p. 208). In 2024, students will be able to access qualifications in new areas of employment, including the Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence Aeroplane) - Skill Set, Certificate III in Drone Aviation (Remote Pilot), Certificate III in Real Estate Practice, and Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts industry work (Media release, 16 May 2024).

Remote VET Training Hub

The new student skills centre in the remote community of Tjuwanpa, located near Ntaria (Hermannsburg) will offer students the opportunity to access qualifications encompassing Certificates in Hospitality, Cooking, Arts and Trades (Media release, 16 May 2024; Budget and regional overview, p. 11).

How to cite this page

NCVER (National Centre for Vocational Education Research) 2024, Budget highlights: Northern Territory 2024-25, VET Knowledge Bank, NCVER, Adelaide, <https://www.voced.edu.au/vet-knowledge-bank-policy-initiatives-budget-highlights-northern-territory-2024-25>.