Chapter 3
Education and Training portfolio
3.1
This chapter summarises certain key areas of interest raised during the
committee's consideration of budget estimates for the 2019-20 financial year
for the Education and Training portfolio.
3.2
On 5 April 2019, the committee heard evidence from:
- Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism
and Investment (representing the Minster for Education and Training); and
- Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, Minister for Small Business and
Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education.
3.3
The committee also heard evidence from officers from the Department of
Education and Training (the department).
3.4
Due to the prorogation of the 45th Parliament on 11 April
2019, the committee did not hear evidence from the Education and Training
portfolio on 11 April as was originally scheduled as a prorogation is regarded
as terminating the scheduled sittings of the Senate and of estimates hearings.
Department of Education and Training
Cross Portfolio
3.5
Inquiries were made into advertising expenditures for the Quality
Schools Package. Ms Susan Charles, Branch Manager, Communication Branch, noted
that the contract value for the quality school campaign was over $9.4 million.[1] Ms Charles provided a breakdown of this amount, stating:
There was a contract amount for media which was $6,840,627.
For market research, we had benchmark tracking and evaluation research of
$172,899. The creative contract was $1,595,000. Then we had market research for
developmental research at $571,120.[2]
Outcome 1
3.6
The committee discussed the estimated distribution of funding to states
and territories of the 2020 Extension to the National Partnership Agreement to
Universal Access to Early Childhood Education. Ms Jackie Wilson, Deputy
Secretary, Early Childhood and Child Care, noted that of the $453.1 million of
funding, the state‑by‑state breakdown was as follows:
- New South Wales—$136.7 million;
- Victoria—$130.9 million;
- Queensland—$82.3 million;
- Western Australian—$46.5 million;
- South Australia—$28.9 million;
- Tasmania—$9.9 million;
- Australian Capital Territory—$9.6 million; and
- Northern Territory—$4.7 million.[3]
3.7
The committee also inquired into the childcare subsidy legislation and
the provisions in place to potentially waive child care fees should a centre
close temporarily due to unforeseen circumstances. Ms Belinda Catelli, Branch
Manager, Payment Policy and Engagement, was asked for the protocol if a child
care centre was forced to close due to a gastroenteritis outbreak. Ms Catelli
responded:
We have absent day provisions in place for particular events
that could occur. Where the service normally wants to be open but there's a
gastro outbreak, families can claim 42 days per year for absent stays, and that
provides that continuity of fee relief for families.[4]
3.8
Further questions were asked about the protocol if a child care centre
was closed for more than 42 days after, for example, a natural disaster such as
the Townsville floods. Ms Wilson stated:
In the case of the Townsville floods, we worked with the
Queensland state government. They had a mechanism for triggering exceptional
circumstances, and instead of making the families try to meet two requirements
we just agreed with the Queensland state government that if they met their
terms they would meet our terms. We work with Centrelink to put that in force
with their people up there. I think you also asked if the centre was closed for
a longer period. There are mechanisms that can accommodate more than 42 days
and there are provisions for us to consider that on a case-by-case basis.[5]
Outcome 2
3.9
The committee discussed the status of the Performance-Based Funding for
the Commonwealth Grant Scheme. Mr Dom English, Group Manager, Higher Education,
noted that the panel, chaired by Professor Paul Wellings, had issued a
discussion paper inviting responses by mid-March 2019 and that 'in the order of
50 responses' were received.[6] When further questioned on when the performance funding review would be finalised,
Mr David Learmonth, Deputy Secretary, Higher Education, Research and
International, responded that the final report is due on 30 June 2019 for
performance based funding.[7]
3.10
The committee further discussed the cessation of the Endeavour Mobility
Grants program. Ms Karen Sandercock, Group Manager, International, when
questioned about the impact of this responded that the government have
announced 'the new Destination Australia program which is open to international
students who wish to come and study in Australia with a focus on regionally
based locations'.[8]
3.11
Under the Skills and Training section of Outcome 2, the committee
particularly focussed on funding allocations for the new skills package
measures. When questioned on the specific breakdown of funding for the package,
Ms Nadine Williams, Deputy Secretary, Skills and Training, responded:
The overall skills package is made up of that $54.5 million...
There's also an additional $463 million that has been redirected from the
Skilling Australians Fund, as well as a further $7.8 million redirected from
the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for South Australia. That is the total of
the package of $525.3 million.[9]
3.12
The committee also discussed budgeting for the establishment of the National
Skills Commission. Ms Williams provided a year-by-year breakdown of the
funding:
...$48.3 million, or thereabouts, is budgeted for the National
Skills Commission, and the funding for that commences in 2019-2020—that's $12.1
million. 2020-2021 is $12.1 million, 2021-2022 is $11.7 million and 2022-2023
is $12.3 million.[10]
Senator Slade Brockman
Chair
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