The NSW Government is committing $83.1 million over the next four years to retain expert TAFE NSW teachers, crucial to train the state’s skilled workforce.

After more than a decade of neglect and underfunding by the former government, the NSW Government is delivering on a key election commitment to rebuild TAFE NSW.

This includes recruiting and retaining teachers who are pivotal to building the pipeline of skilled workers NSW needs.

An estimated 48 per cent of TAFE NSW’s teaching workforce does not have permanent employment, making it difficult to keep great teachers in the job.

The 2024-25 Budget includes $83.1 million to support the conversion of teachers to permanent employment. This significant investment will provide job security for Australia’s largest vocational education and training workforce.

This commitment, along with the removal of the unfair public sector wages cap and the largest pay increase since we were last in government, demonstrates the NSW Government’s recognition of the value of TAFE NSW teachers.

Attracting the best from industry means TAFE NSW students get the very best guidance from teachers with hands-on experience and connections with prospective employers.

NSW needs skilled professionals across construction, health care, hospitality and burgeoning sectors like renewable energy. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to invest in our TAFE NSW teachers, to forge the strong foundation required to train the workforce of the future.

This is all part of the NSW Government’s plan to build a better NSW.

Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“I know, from my conversations with TAFE NSW teachers, that job security is one of the most pressing issues they face. This significant investment will ensure our TAFE NSW teachers have greater peace of mind.

"The investment will provide greater job security for our dedicated TAFE NSW teachers, who are the backbone of our vocational education system.

“That’s why we’re committed to the conversion of casual teachers to more permanent employment.

“This investment, combined with the largest pay increase for TAFE NSW teachers since we were last in government, ensures the longevity of the vocational education and training sector in NSW.

“This budget demonstrates the NSW Government’s unwavering commitment to TAFE NSW and allows TAFE NSW to position itself at the heart of the state’s vocational education system.”’

NSW Teachers Federation President, Henry Rajendra said:

“We welcome the Government’s announcement to provide certainty and security for our TAFE NSW teachers, their students, and communities.

“This is a significant and positive step to reversing the loss of 8000 TAFE NSW teachers under the previous Government's deliberate destruction of TAFE NSW and ensuring a brighter future to meet the chronic skills shortage through public education at TAFE NSW.”