Federal Election Watch: Careers

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With Australians set to head to the polls in a number of weeks, the election campaigns of both the Liberal and Labor parties are at a fever pitch. A number of issues, ranging from housing affordability and immigration to climate change policy, have already emerged as key points in this year’s federal election. 

As both of Australia’s major political parties relentlessly promote their promises online and in the media, it can be difficult to distinguish which policies will have an effect upon you. Careers and job growth tend to emerge as drawing cards in many election campaigns, and it is important to know how the pledges from each party will affect your job security and prospects. 

Whether you have already decided who will be receiving the first preference on your ballot paper, or you are still grappling with where to cast your vote, our guide to both Liberal and Labor’s vocational and higher education pledges may inform your choice.

Liberal

  • Tax relief to the tune of over $1,000 for 4.5 million Australians
  • Establishing the Skilling Australians Fund to create 80,000 apprenticeships in jobs with skills shortages over the next four years
  • Establishing 10 new Industry Training hubs in areas with high youth unemployment rates
  • Expanding the Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) program to pilot up to 10 new industry-led programs
  • Create 1.25 million jobs for all Australians over the next five years
  • Grants to establish partnerships between schools, tertiary providers and employers to help develop future job skills.

Labor

  • Creating rail manufacturing jobs through pledging $3.7 billion to rail infrastructure projects around the country
  • $1 billion towards an Advanced Manufacturing Future Fun (AMFF) to help Australian manufacturers expand their businesses and create new jobs
  • Increasing job security for casual and labour hire workers
  • Funding Local Projects, Local Jobs plan where local jobs will be created out of Commonwealth invested projects.