Federal Budget 2022-23

A $312 million pledge to modernise aged care is one of the key IT spending announcements in this week's 2022-2023 Federal Budget.

The first step in this plan will be the development of a $1 billion one-year National Skills Agreement with States and Territories, to provide 180,000 fee-free TAFE and community-based vocational education places over 12 months from 2023. The permanent Migration Program planning level will be increased from 160,000 to 195,000 in 2022–23, with more than 90 per cent of new places skilled migrants and more than a quarter targeted to regional areas. What do you want for your business from the Federal Government in 2022-23? From 2024, vocational education and training will be supported by a new longer-term National Skills Agreement. Meanwhile, 480,000 fee-free TAFE and community-based vocational education places will be created, especially for areas of critical shortage. Labour demand is expected to soften in 2023–24, with employment growth forecast to remain positive. The money will also go to supporting mobile coverage through new investments in regional and remote Australia, especially in under-serviced areas, and improving resilience against natural disasters, including reliable power supplies and innovative approaches to keeping communications running. The government also announced $31.3 million to extend its whole of government cyber hubs pilot while an evaluation is completed. Are you happy with the 2022-23 budget? Regional connectivity is another big technology spending item in the new budget. A further $6.8 million has been budgeted to improve critical data infrastructure. This will include providing faster internet for 755,000 NBN fixed wireless users, including 120,000 satellite users upgraded to fixed wireless.