This Month
Labor wants 50/50 split between universities and VET
The move would mean pushing tens of thousands of prospective university students towards TAFE and other vocational courses.
High teacher dropout rates a myth: study
Contrary to popular belief, teachers are less likely to leave than almost any other profession, and many who do, return.
May
Are overseas student caps back on the government’s agenda?
Julian Hill, the new assistant minister for international education, has refused to rule out another attempt to introduce caps on foreign students.
April
Canada’s collapse a warning as international students baulk at fees
Half of all prospective international students say an increase in visa fees of the magnitude promised by Labor and the Coalition would make them reconsider studying in Australia.
Migrant surge to persist as graduates bring in families
A glut of Indian and Nepalese graduates bringing out family members while they work on post-study visas will wreak havoc with election promises on migration.
Finding someone to fix your EV is hard, and may be about to get harder
Australia is short at least 7000 electric vehicle technicians and industry leaders warn proposed occupational licensing could exacerbate the repair bottleneck.
February
Pub chain got $9.7m taxpayer funds to fully train just 96 staff
In new evidence of widespread wastage in a Coalition training scheme, a pub group backed by Coles got $100,000 per worker to learn basic hospitality skills.
Why businesses are key to fixing Australia’s skills gaps
Cutting-edge training and education is happening in Australia’s largest employers. If we are to meet our national skills challenge, we must encourage more of it.
January
CEOs reveal how to fix the productivity problem
Business reckons it’s ready to invest to help bolster living standards for all Australians. It just needs some policy help.
More skilled migration, less red tape to kickstart economy: CEOs
The government needs to stimulate sagging productivity growth if Australia is to prosper, business warns.
December 2024
‘Give us a chance’: More visas not enough to fix skills crisis
According to a recently launched coalition of business groups, unions and community organisations, more than 620,000 permanent migrants work below their skill levels and qualifications.
Accounting, audit and finance roles added to fast-track visa list
Jobs and Skills Australia has added a range of accounting, audit and finance roles to its list of occupations eligible to apply for new fast-track visas.
Tradies to join yoga instructors on core migration skills list
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the federal government was moving to address critical shortages, including in new home construction.
Why we got it wrong on education and skill shortages
After 15 years of policies encouraging people to go to university, Australia’s skills tsar says it is now time for a reset if we are to address chronic skill shortages.
November 2024
The big trend working against the PM’s 1.2m homes target
Painter Gavin Sas wants to hire an apprentice to expand his business, but the initial cost is too high. It’s a small part of a bigger problem.
Why families feel like they can never get on top of childcare fees
Marita Tilleraas has experienced childcare systems in Norway and Australia, and says the latter is impossible to understand. Economist Angela Jackson agrees.
Chinese social media users slam foreign student chaos
Students and university leaders are digesting what the blocking of student caps legislation mean for them.
Is there a solution to skill shortages?
When migration is no longer the cure for skill shortages, where does the country turn?
Demand for postgraduate courses on the rise
Students increasingly look for shorter and more industry-aligned qualifications, experts say.
The 10 jobs that landed the biggest pay rises in financial year 2024
Geologists, engineers and trades such as carpenters and electricians were among the occupations that landed the largest salary bumps.