The NSW Government is taking critical steps to strengthen the skills sector with a record $2.5 billion budget investment in TAFE NSW.

Rebuilding our skills sector is essential for delivering key government priorities such as building the homes NSW needs, delivering a renewable energy future, reviving the state’s domestic manufacturing sector, and providing the staff that hospitals and aged care services need.

A strong TAFE allows us to up-skill the next generation of apprentices and trainees, and to re-skill existing workers.

This Budget supports the government’s commitment to ensuring TAFE NSW is at the heart of the vocational education system and communities.

Investing in the teaching workforce

The NSW Government is addressing the skills shortages facing the state by ensuring that we are attracting and retaining talented teachers in NSW TAFEs.

The government has already recognised the value of teachers by giving them the largest pay increase in more than two decades.

The 2024-25 NSW Budget also includes a $83.1 million boost to support increased permanency through the conversion of 500 casual teachers to permanent employment, providing them with better job security and peace of mind.

Rebuilding education infrastructure

The 2024-25 NSW Budget continues to address years of neglected infrastructure to ensure teachers and learners have access to modern facilities and teaching equipment.

This includes $190 million to undertake urgent repairs at campuses across the State, upgrade 5000 digital devices and improve Wi-Fi at 40 campuses.

This investment will ensure students have access to the facilities and industry equipment they need to be job ready.

Investments made in the government’s first Budget have already delivered upgrades at 111 TAFE campuses across the state, including updating Wi-Fi access at 29 regional campuses.

Extension of subsidised Apprenticeships and Traineeships

The NSW Government is investing up to $16.3 million to continue fully subsidised training for all apprentices and trainees. This initiative removes barriers for employers and those seeking employment, and addresses cost of living pressures facing the emerging skilled workforce.

The demand for trained workers is continuing to grow, with NSW needing thousands of skilled professionals across health care, hospitality, construction, and emerging sectors like renewable energy.

This investment will ensure that anyone who wants to access vocational education and training can afford to do so.

Get Back in the Game

The NSW Government is also building on its support of at-risk youths through an allocation of $4.9 million for the Get Back in the Game program which helps vulnerable teenagers to re-engage with education, training, and employment.

This second Budget highlights the NSW Government’s long-term commitment to rebuilding TAFE NSW by putting teachers and students first.

Its record investment will enable TAFE NSW to better support the needs of industry and community by becoming more agile and responsive to emerging demands, to deliver the best possible vocational education training.

This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better communities, better homes, and better futures for the people of NSW.