The announcements last week regarding international education continue to see TAFEs as priority for visa processing. And, from 2026, international students transitioning to 
universities from TAFE institutes will be exempt from the National Planning Level.
That means, TAFE pathways to affiliated universities will be recognised once only in the New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) data. Previously, these students were counted twice, which acted as a disincentive for universities to provide a pathway for international TAFE students to higher qualifications. Both directions are good developments and welcomed. They mean that the public provider can pursue an international education growth strategy.
Additionally, last week Ministers Giles and Clare engaged with many stakeholders in tertiary education as part of their portfolios’ contribution to Treasury’s Economic reform roundtable. This deliberate engagement strategy brought disparate stakeholders together.
Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, has expressed disappointment that no one from tertiary education will be part of the actual Treasury Economic reform roundtable to be held later in August. Therefore, the lead up events and submissions are pivotal to ensuring the importance of vocational and higher education are in the mix for their contribution to economic reform.
From media reporting, it appears that the main tenure of the economic roundtable will be how to remove unnecessary barriers to delivering improved productivity. Improved productivity means reducing the inputs required to deliver a product or service.
TDA’s submission to the Economic reform roundtable continues to call out the high cost of training package changes. It is hard to see why there continue to be so many layers of consultation, approval and bureaucracy. When training packages have over prescription of inputs it drives the need for constant updates. If training package developers adopted a more outcomes focus that genuinely allowed for flexible, agile, quality delivery then the amount of churn would reduce.
Treasury’s Economic reform roundtable is an important event. It will bring together many perspectives from many different positions. It will be interesting to see how this translates into short- and long-term policy. It will also be interesting to see if there are significant improvements that support industry and individuals to acquire skills, with less cost and inputs than exists now in vocational education and training, while retaining quality.
Around one in five, or 2.3 million Australian workers, are in jobs that rank at the most extreme level for gendered segregation, according to a landmark study by Jobs and Skills Australia.
The report utilises a new and more detailed approach for measuring segregation in the labour market, known as the Gender Segregation Intensity scale (GSIS).
“Using the GSIS demonstrates how gendered Australia’s labour market really is,” the report concludes.
Around half of the total workforce is in occupations that are at the highly and almost completely gendered segregation intensity, where 75% or more of the workforce is either female or male.
Even worse, 21% of the workforce are at the highest segregation intensity in occupations that are either 90% or more male or female dominated.
“New perspectives on old problems – Gendered Jobs Work and Pay” is the first of three studies to be released by JSA addressing the impact of gender segregation on the labour market.
It says that females and males are equally likely to work in gender balanced occupations. Females are more likely to work in jobs at the moderately or highly female dominated segregation intensity. Men are far more likely to work in almost completely male dominated occupations.
“Skills shortages typically worsen as gender segregation intensifies and are more common in male dominated occupations,” it says.
It also applies intersectional analysis to show how occupations and industries are divided along other lines, not just gender. Some jobs or workers suffer “double” segregation based on their First Nations status or culturally and linguistically diverse background, along with gender.
“Regardless of what pay gap measure or benchmark is used, First Nations females have the highest gender pay gaps in Australia. Their 2022/23 pay gap to all males was 35.3%, almost 10 percentage points higher than the whole of economy 25.7% gender pay gap.”
You can explore the gender pay gaps in over 680 occupations on JSA’s Occupational Gender Pay Gap dashboard
Australia is entering a pivotal moment. With a projected shortfall of nearly 250,000 skilled workers across finance, technology and business occupations by 2030, our ability to meet this demand will directly impact national productivity, economic resilience, and global competitiveness. The pressure is rising, not just to fill roles, but to ensure our workforce is digitally capable, AI-literate, and prepared for continuous reinvention. And yet, this challenge is also our greatest opportunity.
This session will explore the Power of TAFE to seize the digital and AI moment to become the national engine room of productivity.
TAFE is uniquely placed to lead with agility. With deep roots in community and industry, TAFE has the structural and pedagogical foundations to deliver job-ready skills at scale.
In this TAFE Talk supported by ReadyTech, one of TDA’s valued corporate affiliates, we bring together:
The NSW government is considering a mechanism to publicly recognise high-performing employers of apprentices as an “employer of choice”, under proposed reforms to the NSW Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.
The review will also consider clearer minimum expectations around apprentice supervision, and updated penalties for employer non-compliance, including limiting new commencements for serious or repeat offenders.
A consultation paper, Modernising the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001, says there is an opportunity to “strengthen the Commissioner’s powers to enable earlier, risk-based intervention and better protect apprentices and trainees”.
“Stronger safeguards could help maintain quality, reduce risk, and ensure the system remains fair, consistent and trusted by all participants,” it says.
The review will also look at better support for part-time and flexible training arrangements, degree-level apprenticeships, streamlining competency-based completions, simplifying recognition of prior learning (RPL) and trade skills recognition (TSR) for experienced workers.
It advocates the removal of “unnecessary procedural barriers in the completion process, particularly where all training and assessment has been successfully completed by the RTO.”
TDA is excited to announce that the Call for Proposals for TDA Convention 2026 is now open. TDA Convention 2026, Power of TAFE, will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5-7 May 2026. We warmly invite you to join TDA, our host partner TAFE Queensland, and Diamond sponsor ReadyTech to celebrate the strength, innovation and impact of TAFE in Australia’s education and training landscape.
TDA welcomes proposals from all stakeholders. If you are not from a TDA member organisation, and your proposal is accepted, then you will be eligible for the TDA member rate to attend TDA Convention 2026 in May in Brisbane next year. We encourage proposals from partners and stakeholders.
If you are from a TDA member organisation and you want to know more, the best place to start is with your TDA Convention 2026 Advisory Committee member. Don’t forget to also let your organisation’s Group Manager know when you submit.
TDA thanks members of the TDA Convention 2026 Advisory Committee who are guiding the development of the program. Advisory members are:
After losing his 19-year-old son, Alan Webb was overwhelmed by grief and anger, facing a possible prison sentence. Instead, he joined Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place, a culturally safe space for Aboriginal men, where he began healing through writing and cultural reconnection.
His poem, ‘The fire of knowledge’, now displayed at TAFE Gippsland and Wulgunggo Ngalu, symbolises his transformation. Alan also took part in horticulture training and is now studying a Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing.
Supported by Wulgunggo Ngalu and TAFE Gippsland, Alan’s story shows the life-changing impact of culturally responsive education and support.
Image: Alan Webb, left, with TAFE Gippsland Koorie Liaison Officer Ricky Mentha and a framed copy of his poem ‘The fire of knowledge’
Employers are hindered in their efforts to navigate Australia’s tertiary education and training system, adversely impacting the nation’s productivity, according to Australian Industry Group’s Centre for Education and Training.
In a new paper for the upcoming productivity summit, it says that efforts to combine skills-based and knowledge-based learning means ad hoc work arounds and dealing with multiple providers “who do not speak each other’s language”.
“Removing these barriers to tertiary collaboration has been described as akin to cutting red tape that gets in the way of productivity,” it says.
“It would create a ‘twofold boost’ by both improving the productivity of the tertiary sector itself and also enable our workforce skills to move towards the optimal requirements of industry.”
The paper says tertiary harmonisation needs to be underpinned by modernised and flexible system architecture that gives appropriate weight to knowledge, skills, and their application.
“A critical reform is raising the status of skills relative to knowledge in the Australian Qualifications Framework – included as a key step in harmonisation by Jobs and Skills Australia.”
Current and aspiring apprentices in NSW who are experiencing financial and personal hardships can apply for a Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships.
The scholarships financially support first-year apprentices and are valued at $5000 per year for up to three years.
Established in 2014, the $2.25 million scholarship program supports 150 apprentices every year, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentices, apprentices with a disability, women in non-traditional trades, mature-aged learners and apprentices from regional NSW.
Applications are open until August 31.
What happens when the power of generative AI meets the practical needs of TAFEs?
In this engaging webinar, Build the future of education with humans and generative AI, Professor Martin Bean unpacks how leading TAFE providers can harness this emerging technology to transform learning, streamline student services, and build a stronger sense of belonging across campuses.
Drawing on real-world insights and sector-wide shifts, Martin explores the opportunity for TAFEs to go beyond automation, leveraging AI to empower staff, personalise learning pathways, and drive measurable impact for learners and institutions alike.
CQUniversity’s TAFE division has notched up a series of wins in the Queensland Training Awards Central Queensland Regional Final.
Metal Fabrication teacher Andrew Abbas received the coveted VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year Award.
Certificate III in Business graduate Chloe Hutchinson received the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award.
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician/Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control student Maddison Petrie took the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
Livingstone Shire Council employee and proud Bailai woman Kylie Johnston won the the Vocational Student of the Year, while studying a Certificate III in Horticulture.
Image: from left, Andrew Abbas, Chloe Hutchinson, Maddison Petrie and Kylie Johnston.
Aware Super ended the last financial year on a high – our Future Save High Growth returned 11.91% to 30 June 2025.* and from 1 June we’ve lowered the admin fees for our retirement members — up to 25%!1 This reduction will make our fees even more competitive — in fact $600 lower than the industry average2.
Want to know how you are tracking and get your super sorted?
Book here for a 30-minute chat with one of our Education Managers who deeply understands education sector. Appointments are online or via phone and are at no cost to you.
Some super helpful links
Thinking of retirement – Get help on your retirement journey or check out our My retirement planner – more than just a super calculator, it provides a snapshot to see how close you are to reaching your goals.
Learn more about your super – Supporting teachers and education workers for more than 30 years.
We know cost of living is front of mind for many Aussies, so we’re committed to keeping costs lower and delivering the benefits of being one of Australia’s largest super funds for all of our members.
Aware Super
*Aware Super’s High Growth option return over 1 year to 30 June 2025. SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, June 2025. Based on the SR50 Growth (77-90) Index. Returns are after tax and investment management expenses but before the deduction of administration fees. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
1 Amount of fee reduction will vary based on account balance.
2Savings is the difference between the (reduced) Aware Super Retirement Income Conservative Balanced option total fee at 1 June 2025; and the ‘Overall average’ total fee; as published in the Chant West Pension Fund Fee Survey March 2025: Balanced [41-60] Category based on a $250,000 balance. Fees may have changed since. Fees vary each year and include admin/investment fees and costs, and transaction costs. Fees differ for other investment options and account balances.
Advice provided by Aware Financial Services Australia Limited (ABN 86 003 742 756, AFSL 238430), wholly owned by Aware Super.
Consider if Aware Super is right for you and the PDS and TMD at aware.com.au/pds.
Issued by Aware Super Pty Ltd (ABN 11 118 202 672, AFSL 293340) trustee of Aware Super (ABN 53 226 460 365).
Future Skills Organisation – A new report, ‘Developing the Tech Workforce: Unlocking the Potential of Earn While You Learn’
BSB Training Package Update: Safe and Respectful Workforces Unit of Competency project to update BSB30719 Certificate III in Work Health and Safety with a new, elective UOC. See the project page
AUSMASA – 2025 Workforce Plan – Evolving Together
VET Workforce Blueprint National Consultations
Darwin Hilton Garden Inn – 20 August; Adelaide Rydges South Park – 16 September; Perth Duxton Hotel – 18 September; Melbourne RACV – 7 October; Brisbane Rydges South Bank – 9 October; Hobart Rydges – 19 November Register now
Open Consultations
First draft training products, Automotive Tyre Servicing Technology: Automotive Tyre Servicing Technology Project – Provide your feedback here
Updated qualification feedback, Superseded Units Review – Superseded Units Review Project – Provide your feedback here
Manufacturing Skills Alliance – 2025 Manufacturing Workforce Plan, ‘Pathways to Transformation’.
Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is hosting a national series of dedicated roundtables for Transport Supply Chain Industries and RTO stakeholders.
Darwin: Darwin Industry and RTO Roundtable – Transport Supply Chain Industries Tickets, Wed, Aug 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite
Canberra: Industry Roundtables Canberra Industry Roundtable – Transport Supply Chain Industries Tickets, Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite
RTO Roundtables Canberra RTO Roundtable – Transport Supply Chain Industries Tickets, Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
14-15 August 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
National Skills Week
‘Explore All the Options’
25-31 August 2025
More information
TAFETalks: Seizing the Moment: The Power of TAFE to Lead Australia’s Digital and AI Opportunity
27 August 2025, 2.00-3.00PM AEST
Register here
MyeQuals Connect
2 September 2025
Venue: Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Register here
25% discount code: TDAMyeQuals
Impact ATEM 2025
Association for Tertiary Education Management annual conference
7-10 September 2025
Australian National University, Canberra.
More information
TAFETalks: Build the future of education with humans and GenAI
29 October 2025 14:00 Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Register here
Velg Training National VET Conference
30-31 October 2025
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
Association of Colleges Annual Conference
18-19 November 2025
Birmingham, England
More information (contact TDA memberservices@tda.edu.au)
11th Annual Conference on VET Teaching and VET Teacher Education
Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group
‘VET teaching in the tertiary education sector: New horizons and possibilities’
11-12 December 2025
Canberra
More information
TDA Convention 2026
5-7 May 2026
Brisbane
Call for proposals now open!
More information
48th WorldSkills International Competition Shanghai
22-27 September 2026
More information
2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
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