The Independent Tertiary Education Council of Australia's pre budget submission "Skilling Australian Business"  nominates seven key priorities for a contemporary skilled and educated workforce. These include an integrated post secondary education system, streamlining of regulation and reporting and funding policy measures that enable greater student choice in both Vocational and Higher Education. 

Apprentices
Apprentices in high-demand industries (including Chefs) will get up to $5000 in cash payments for the first two years of their training but wage subsidies will be scaled back for employers.
The renamed Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Scheme has been re targeted so that apprentices, as well as employers, receive financial incentives.
Under the scheme, from July 1 employers in “priority occupations” will receive 10 per cent wage subsidy for first and second-year apprentices and 5 per cent for third years. The subsidy caps out at $15,000. Employers in regional areas will receive an additional 5 per cent wage subsidy for each of the three years of an apprentice’s training.
In a measure aimed at tackling dropout rates among young tradies, those aged between 15 and 20 will receive a follow-up call within three months of starting their apprenticeships to iron out any early issues and the government will fund 2500 more in-training support places.
Tourism Research
The Budget allocates $2 million for a new “visitor economy online employment and skills platform” as well as $4.8 million for Tourism Research Australia “to capture and analyse more tourism and visitor data to help businesses operating in the visitor economy make improved business decisions,”
Working Holiday makers
To help address skills shortages, the current caps on Working Holiday Makers will have a one off 30% increase in 2022/23.
Training
With the aim of encouraging small businesses to train new staff and upskill existing employees, small businesses that invest in training new employees will receive a $120 tax deduction for every $100 spent on training employees.
Read the budget papers here

Peak member body for the digital technologies industries, the Australian Computer Society (ACS), have released their election policy platform for 2022 ahead of the forthcoming Federal election.
The report notes the increased demand for IT products and services as Australia moved to remote work in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and argues that Australia needs to ensure that the professional skills needed are in place to underpin its economic stability and strength. Built on advice gained through ACS member and public surveys in 2021, the platform identifies the need to boost Australia's IT workforce as the core challenge facing the sector and broader industry.

Access the report

The following qualifications and skill sets are being updated.
Qualifications
• SIS10122 Certificate I in Sport and Recreation
• SIS20122 Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
• SIS30122 Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
• SIS40122 Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation
• SIS50122 Diploma of Sport and Recreation Management.
 Skill sets
• SISSS00131 Aquatic Technical Operator Skill Set
• SISSS00132 Swimming and Water Safety Teacher Skill Set
• SISSS00133 Pool Lifeguard Skill Set.
 
Your views, thoughts and suggestions on these updates are welcome. To find out more visit SkillsIQ here
Closing date for feedback is Tuesday 19th April 2022.

Applications are now open for sports coaches and officials of state sporting associations to participate in professional development programs. Programs that focus on enhancing diversity and inclusion are encouraged, such as mentoring or pathway development programs. Applications close Friday 1st April 2022 . More details can be found at the Coaching and Officiating Grants Program. 

It has been 25 months since Australia banned the entry of international cruise vessels under the Biosecurity Act.

Upon the resumption, additional measures will be in place to reduce the COVID-19 risk on board ships, including enhanced pre-arrival reporting; ensuring vessels always arrive with permission to unload passengers; stress testing of emergency response systems; and engaging with the cruise industry on a safe resumption.

​Ships will also need to meet all state and territory public health requirements, with these jurisdictions to soon advise on their readiness to begin cruising.