The National TAFE Network is a reality. The Multilateral Agreement has the first five signatories, being the Commonwealth of Australia, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. The fact 50% of the States and Territories have signed means initial planning can begin.
What is the National TAFE Network aiming to do? According to the Implementation Plan, the National TAFE Network will ‘foster collaboration between teachers and TAFE administrators and public training providers’. It will be in place until the end of 2028 and is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and participating State and Territory Governments. Therefore, there is time for real innovation to develop in a collaborative way between participants.
The vision for the National TAFE Network is to ‘support delivery of nation-leading, high quality training outcomes for Australian learners and industry and drive innovative and collaborative initiatives to support TAFE teachers and administrators to achieve these outcomes’ (Implementation Plan).
The focus will be on quality teaching, learning and assessment. Inherent within that is the relationships TAFEs have with industry to ensure that that what is being delivered happens in partnership with industry. Equally TAFE’s role in providing accessible access to learning is endorsed.
Interestingly, the National TAFE Network will promote collaborative research to strengthen the vocational education and training sector. It will bring TAFEs together and lean into the collective capacity of all TAFEs to deliver.
Importantly, there is a link between the National TAFE Network and the TAFE Centres of Excellence. Both initiatives will support Australian critical industries. There are real opportunities through the National TAFE Network to ‘reduce duplication and increase efficiencies’ across so many areas of delivery.
TDA is delighted to see this promised initiative start to take shape. It is well overdue for there to be meaningful funding for development of TAFE people. We look forward to being a supporting arm for the benefit of all our members through this great initiative.
No TDA Monday Newsletter next week as it is Easter Monday. To all readers, have a happy Easter. We’ll be back on Monday 28 April.
A new $10 million Trades Training Centre at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus has officially opened.
The 2,400-square metre, two-storey building includes a heavy equipment precinct, assembly and workshop spaces, an industrial sandpit, and modern classrooms, all designed to provide hands-on, industry-standard training environments.
The centre will cater to over 500 students a year and offer qualifications in key trades including construction pathways, carpentry, plumbing, roof plumbing, and electrotechnology.
The Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey said the centre will play a pivotal role in developing a skilled, agile and capable workforce to meet the growing demands of industry across the Territory.
“This is an exciting day for the Territory. The Trades Training Centre will give more Territorians the opportunity to train locally, stay locally, and contribute to the growth of our economy,” she said.
CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive TAFE, Michael Hamilton, said the new centre would ensure a more enriching educational experience for the NT’s future tradies.
“The University has enhanced trades training and the student experience by providing high-quality equipment, industry-relevant curriculum, and collaborations with leading trade professionals,” he said.
Join us to explore how TAFEs are leading innovation in nurse education to meet future healthcare needs. Hear from the Office of the Chief Nurse on the skills nurses will need, and from HumanAbility on how qualifications can build adaptability and keep pace with change.
Holmesglen Institute will share outcomes from its Victorian Skills Authority-funded FutureReady Project, focusing on innovation in the Diploma of Nursing. TAFE Queensland will showcase GIGxR, using AR/VR and AI to transform nurse training.
This TAFETalks event has been planned in conjunction with TDA’s National Enrolled Nurse Advisory Council (NENAC) to celebrate and recognise the ongoing development and importance of nursing as a profession, and International Nurses Day. Discover how the TAFE network with the help of its stakeholders is preparing a future-ready, tech-enabled nursing workforce.
Our Watch, a leader in primary prevention of violence against women, has launched a suite of videos, online learning resources and audio podcasts specifically designed for TAFEs.
The Respect and Equality in TAFE project aims to support TAFE staff to develop a foundational level of understanding about why gender equality is important in a TAFE context, as well as why and how they might be involved in primary prevention work.
The resources are designed for easy integration into any LMS platform and incorporation into existing processes, such as staff induction or professional development.
Our Watch also runs Change the Story training for TAFE staff. The three-hour training supports staff understanding of the drivers of violence against women.
See more about Our Watch’s approach to supporting TAFEs to promote gender equality at the Respect and Equality page.
For information about how to access Our Watch resources and training including the Equal Space learning modules, please email Katie Yates-Burgess at Our Watch: katie.yates@ourwatch.org.au
Leah-Rose Hart, a proud Indigenous woman with connections to the Gundungurra and Darug 
peoples of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, is currently far from her Darug, pursuing a path with deep purpose and significance.
Leah-Rose is completing her Certificate IV in Youth Work (CHC40421) at TAFE Queensland’s Springfield campus to then help those youth in her community who are struggling.
A digital initiatives champion at Kangan Institute has been celebrated as one of Australia’s leading education technology leaders at the 2025 iTnews Benchmark Awards.
Kangan Institute’s Head of Digital Initiatives Andrew Roadknight was a finalist for the Education Technology Leader Award, acknowledging his role in enhancing Kangan Institute’s digital courses.
“It’s humbling and it’s nice recognition for all the work we’ve been doing, including the team that I work with that help to make it happen,” Andrew said.
Armed with 15 years of experience in the sector, Andrew has led Kangan Institute’s digital technology initiatives since 2021.
The 2025 iTnews Benchmark Awards were held in late March and celebrate excellence and innovations of 40 tech leaders from across Australia.
A scheduled independent review into the operation of TasTAFE and its overriding legislation is underway.
The review, is chaired by Dr Bronte Adams and is now inviting submissions.
The 30-month legislative review will examine:
The consultation will close on 27 April.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has published more draft Practice Guides to support the transition to the revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), which take effect on July 1.
Guides on VET Student Support – Diversity and Inclusion, and VET Student Support – Wellbeing have been published.
9th Research Conference of the International Network for Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP)
8-9 May 2025
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, England
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National Apprentice Employment Network 2025 National Conference
11-13 June 2025
Sofitel, Brisbane
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WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Showcase
12-14 June 2025
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2025 Skills Conference
24 June 2025
Amora Hotel, Sydney
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2025
Navigating Authentic Assessment and Learning in a Digital World
25-26 June 2025
University of Sydney
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34th National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Research Conference ‘No Frills’
9-11 July 2025 (Abstract submissions due by 7 March 2025)
Gold Coast
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Victorian TAFE Association TAFECreates25 Conference
7 August 2025
Melbourne Polytechnic Conference Centre, Melbourne
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VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
14-15 August 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
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National Skills Week
‘Explore All the Options’
25-31 August 2025
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Impact ATEM 2025
Association for Tertiary Education Management annual conference
7-10 September 2025
Australian National University, Canberra.
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Velg Training National VET Conference
30-31 October 2025
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
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TDA Convention 2026
SAVE the DATE
5-7 May 2026
Brisbane
48th WorldSkills International Competition Shanghai
22-27 September 2026
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2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
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