NSW students will benefit from a record $25.9 billion commitment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget, from their earliest years through primary and high school to vocational and tertiary education.
The NSW Government is supporting education at all stages, with an investment of more than
$1.1 billion in early childhood education, $21.6 billion in schools and $3.1 billion in skills in 2022-
23.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the first 2,000 days of a child’s life were crucial to set them up for successful lifelong learning.
“I am so proud of our $5.8 billion commitment to a once-in-a-generation reform to deliver universal pre-Kindergarten by 2030, as well as our $5 billion fund to increase the accessibility and affordability of childcare across the State,” Ms Mitchell said.
“These long-term reforms start immediately, with our $281.6 million early childhood workforce
package, our $1.4 billion Affordable Preschool program, and our $376.5 million cross-agency
Brighter Beginnings initiative being delivered over the next four years.”
NSW public schools are educating more than 800,000 students each year with the help of more
than 90,000 dedicated teaching staff, and the NSW Government is ensuring students have the
environment and support to reach their full potential.
“The school infrastructure pipeline continues with an additional 23 new and upgraded schools to be delivered,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The NSW Government is ensuring a brighter future for families and students by building a
stronger education system.”
The Budget will also deliver record funding for skills and training, to support a highly adaptable
workforce that contributes to the prosperity and productivity of New South Wales.
A landmark $3.1 billion will be invested in skills and training, including a record $2.0 billion for
TAFE NSW, Australia’s largest training provider.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the investment would ensure that NSW
Government-funded training delivered skills and capabilities needed for employment, met current industry expectations, and improved lifelong employment outcomes.
“New South Wales continues to lead the nation in creating a pipeline of skilled workers for the
future and this Budget invests in everything from employment pathways for young people through to cutting-edge training in new and emerging industries,” Mr Henskens said.
“The NSW Government’s investments in this Budget will help more people get a first job, a new
job or a better job, by delivering a suite of fee-free training options to create a pipeline of skilled
workers for the future.”
The NSW Government will invest $82.7 million over four years for an additional 70,000 fee-free
training courses to accelerate the State’s skills-led recovery.
The NSW Government is also building on a commitment to life-long learning with the $25.1 million expansion of Careers NSW that has been rolled out across the State to provide career guidance to NSW residents at any stage of their career.
The Educational Pathways Program is being implemented in 145 State high schools after the
successful completion of the 2020-21 pilot phase.
The Program includes eight different initiatives that are delivered in conjunction with careers
advisers and is designed to create engaging training and employment opportunities for students and young people.
