Edition 70, August 2009

Changes to education and training ministerial councils

Two new ministerial councils have been established to realign responsibilities and functions of two existing councils to ensure broader, cross-sectoral roles.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs being replaced by the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs. It also agreed to the Ministerial Council of Tertiary Education and Employment replacing the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education.

The Ministerial Council of Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE) now has overall responsibility for the national tertiary education and employment system and will be the key decision-making body in this area.

MCTEE has responsibility for:

  • higher education
  • vocational education and training
  • international education (non school)
  • adult and community education
  • the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
  • employment
  • youth policy relating to participation in tertiary education, work and workforce productivity.

The council has the following key functions:

  • setting the national priorities and strategic policy directions for the tertiary education sector to meet the skills needs of the Australian economy
  • establishing streamlined arrangements for national consistency and harmonisation of the VET and Higher Education sectors (while respecting the distinct mission of each sector)
  • allocations under the National Training System Funding Pool
  • maintaining strong industry leadership of and engagement in the tertiary sector
  • overseeing the work of the Australian Qualifications Framework Council in strengthening the Australian Qualifications Framework
  • engaging with all associated bodies, councils and ministerial companies to ensure the effectiveness of policy and strategies for the tertiary sector
  • responding to business, industry and stakeholder advice on issues impacting on the tertiary sector
  • setting national research priorities.

Ministers agreed to MCTEE commencing from 1 July 2009.

For more information on MCTEE visit www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/Pages/Ministerial_Council.aspx

For more information on the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs visit www.mceecdya.edu.au

This page was generated on 02 September, 2009

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