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About us

About the Department

Western Australia’s diversifying economy and changing industry needs require a labour force that is skilled, versatile and highly competitive. Established in 2009, WA’s Department of Training and Workforce Development provides leadership in training and workforce development to drive a responsive, flexible and quality training system to meet the needs of industry and build a strong and successful future for our community.

Our vision is that all Western Australians can be part of a skilled workforce to meet the State’s economic and community needs.

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Our work

We work closely with industry, government and the community across Western Australia to support and facilitate training and workforce development strategies that will build, attract and retain a skilled workforce for now and into the future.

This is achieved through our focus on:

  • planning and leading the State Government response to workforce development issues in Western Australia;
  • growing Western Australia’s workforce through attraction, retention, participation and skilled migration strategies;
  • providing career development services that support individuals to plan and reach employment and career goals;
  • delivering an innovative, flexible and responsive vocational and education training system; and
  • governing the Department’s services and performance systems to ensure they are client centred, of the highest quality and managed in an open, transparent and accountable manner.
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Strategic Plan 2019—2023

Strategic Plan.

Our Strategic Plan 2019—2023 sets a clear, high level vision for the future of Western Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector. It draws on extensive stakeholder consultation, which conveyed consistent views about the Department's emerging priorities and primary activities. The goals of Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity and other Government strategic initiatives are also embedded in the plan.

To achieve our vision of transforming people’s lives and creating strong, vibrant businesses and communities through training, the plan outlines key actions that we will take under the following five priorities.

  1. Drive accessibility and participation in training that lead to jobs and careers, especially in the regions
  2. Embed STEM and digital capability into VET
  3. Drive innovative, quality training content and delivery with employers and industry
  4. Support micro-credentials for more agile skills development
  5. Promote a contemporary and dynamic VET sector domestically and internationally

View our Strategic Plan 2019—2023

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Key documents

Our current business operations are driven and informed by the following.

Strategic plan 2014–2018
Our strategic plan focuses on five goals that articulate the vision and standards we aim to achieve.
View the 2014–2018 Strategic plan document

WA State training plan 2018–2021
Developed by the WA State Training Board, the State Training Plan 2018–2021 identifies the current and future training and skill development needs of WA's industries, and contains strategies that will contribute to achieving the State Government’s major goals and visions for the economy and labour market.
Find out more about the WA State Training Plan on the State Training Board website

Disability access and inclusion plan 2017–2021
Our new Disability access and inclusion plan demonstrates the Department's commitment to support and assist the State's workforce and vocational education and training sector to be more accessible, particularly for people with disability.
View the Disability access and inclusion plan document

Aboriginal employment strategy 2019
As an employer, we are committed to growing and developing our Aboriginal employees. Our Aboriginal employment strategy 2019 supports our vision for reconciliation, and reflects the Public Sector Commission’s key priorities to attract Aboriginal people to work for the Department, appoint Aboriginal people to positions commensurate with their skills and expertise, advance the careers of Aboriginal employees, and develop Aboriginal leaders. 
View the Aboriginal employment strategy 2019 document 

Reconciliation action plan (RAP) 2017–2019
The Department embraces the spirit of reconciliation and plays a key role in helping Aboriginal people in our community acquire skills, qualifications and employment. Our new Reconciliation action plan 2017–2019, launched on 1 June 2017, strengthens our commitment to celebrating Aboriginal culture and heritage and creating greater opportunities for Aboriginal people including our staff, clients and partners.
View the Reconciliation action plan 2017–2019 document

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Annual report 2017–2018

A picture of the cover of the 2017–18 Annual report.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development’s Annual report 2017–18 provides the Western Australian Parliament and the community with an overview of our performance, as well as budget papers and other strategic documents.

The report offers transparency, accountability, and compliance with legislative and government policy requirements, focuses on key areas of achievement and describes the functions, operations and performance highlights of the Department over the period.

Key areas of achievement for 2017–18 included:

  • building  and supporting our workforce across the State;
  • growing workforce participation and engagement with vocational education and training;
  • providing more opportunities for jobs; 
  • improving services and performance; and
  • supporting the State Government's Plan for Jobs.
View the full Annual report 2017–18 here

We welcome your feedback on the Annual report 2017–18. Please use our feedback form, which you can email in to us once completed.

Annual report 2017–18 feedback form
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Our structure

Responsible to the Minister for Education and Training and led by the Director General, Anne Driscoll, the Department comprises four directorates. Each directorate has a key role to play in all aspects of the Department’s core business, from strategic planning and policy development through to operational functions and programs and services to build and support WA’s workforce. Our organisational structure is outlined in the following diagram.

 

State Training Board

Minister for Education and Training 

 

Department of Training and Workforce Development

Director General: Anne Driscoll

Service Resource Management

 
The Service Resource Management directorate purchases training and other services from TAFE colleges, private training providers and community organisations. The directorate also develops and manages WA’s training infrastructure and develops governance processes to support TAFE colleges.

Corporate

 
The Corporate directorate is responsible for establishing, maintaining and monitoring the Department's governance structures, and providing corporate oversight and administration of the Department's financial, physical and information and communications technology resources.

Policy, Planning and Innovation

 
The Policy, Planning and Innovation directorate determines how the Department's funding will be allocated. Working with industry, training providers, the WA community and government at all levels, the directorate also coordinates the State's response to local needs and national initiatives.

Service Delivery

 
The Service Delivery directorate leads areas that deliver services directly to the WA community. This includes the Apprenticeship Office, Migration Services, TAFE International WA and Training Sector Services.
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Working with us

The Department of Training and Workforce Development is building the workforce to meet the economic and community needs of Western Australia. We are a medium sized public sector agency leading and working across many areas of Western Australia’s training and workforce development landscape. Our work requires dedicated staff behind the scenes to develop and drive the training and workforce development initiatives, strategies and plans that support the State’s economic and community needs. Our workforce of over 440 people enjoys the challenges and benefits of working in this diverse and ever-changing area.

The Department embraces diversity and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people and people with disability, and support these groups of employees through the following programs and initiatives.

The Department ensures substantive equality is integrated into our workplaces and across the services we provide. This will be achieved through eliminating systemic discrimination in the provision of services and promoting sensitivity to the different needs of client groups.

What we offer

In recognising the value of our people, our employees have access to a range of benefits including:

  • career and professional development programs and opportunities;
  • salary packaging options; and
  • access to a range of health and wellbeing initiatives including an employee assistance program and flu vaccinations.

Employment opportunities

If you have experience or have an interest in working in the training and workforce development area of the public sector, the Department could offer you a rewarding, worthwhile career.

You can keep track of the positions available across the Department on the WA Government jobs board at jobs.wa.gov.au.

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Media and news

Media statements released by the Minister for Training and Workforce Development can be found on the State Government’s news website at news.wa.gov.au.

You can also search all ministerial media releases for items relating to training and workforce development by using the search function on the State Government’s media statement’s website.

 

 

For all media enquiries, please contact the Department’s Communications and Marketing team via email at media@dtwd.wa.gov.au and we will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

To view our current and archived news stories, please visit the What's new section of our website.

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Legislative framework, policies and guidelines

The Department of Training and Workforce Development manages the State Government’s investment in vocational education and training and builds the Western Australian workforce for the future.

This work is carried out across the sector in accordance with relevant legislation and our own policy framework developed through stakeholder engagement and consultation.

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Legislation

Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 (the VET Act)

The VET Act prescribes how the VET system operates in Western Australia. Its main objectives are to:

  • establish a State training system for the effective and efficient provision of vocational education and training to meet the immediate and future needs of industry and the community;
  • provide for the recognition of vocational education and training, training providers, qualifications and skills;
  • provide a means by which the State is able to meet its obligations under national arrangements relating to vocational education and training;
  • promote equality of opportunity to undertake vocational education and training;
  • provide for research and development for the purposes of vocational education and training; and
  • allow for the operation of an open and competitive training market in this State.

The Act, under Part 5, also prescribes the establishment and functions of WA’s TAFE colleges, and under Part 7 the obtaining of VET qualifications including the registration and administration of training contracts for the apprenticeship and traineeship system in Western Australia. You can view the full VET Act document online.

Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 and the Vocational Education and Training (Colleges) Regulations 2006

You can view both of these Regulations online.

(Colleges Regulations)
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Statutory bodies, advisory groups and training regulation

Under the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, the following bodies have been established.

WA State Training Board

The State Training Board (the Board) is a statutory body established by Part 3 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, and is the peak industry training advisory body to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development in Western Australia. The Board comprises members appointed by the Minister for their industry expertise and their ability to make a high level contribution to the strategic direction of the State's vocational education and training system. A key function of the Board includes the preparation of the State Training Plan that provides a four year outlook into Western Australia’s skills needs and priorities.

For more information, please visit the WA State Training Board website at stb.wa.gov.au.

Industry training advisory bodies

Under section 21(1)(b) of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 the State Training Board recognises various industry training advisory bodies from which the Board takes advice for the purpose of drafting a State Training Plan or making recommendations to the Minister on apprenticeships and traineeships.

The State Training Board currently recognises 11 industry training advisory bodies:

  • nine industry training councils funded by the Department of Training and Workforce Development;
  • the Public Sector Commission for advice on State Government Administration; and
  • the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) for advice on Local Government Administration.

A full list of WA ITCs is available on the WA State Training Board website.

The Training Accreditation Council

Established as per Part 4 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, TAC is Western Australia’s independent statutory body for the quality assurance and recognition of vocational education and training (VET) services. TAC’s key responsibilities include the:

  • registration of WA training providers delivering nationally recognised VET training in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015; and
  • accreditation of VET courses under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

For more information, please visit the TAC website at tac.wa.gov.au.

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Policy

The following policy documents relate to the Department’s role as Western Australia’s State Training Authority, with responsibility for administering the State’s VET system. This involves managing the investment of public resources to provide a quality training system.

Apprenticeship and traineeship policy

This document outlines the requirements associated with the commencement, registration, variation and completion of the training contract for apprenticeships and traineeships and provides support in the interpretation of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 and the Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 .

This policy contains information relating to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, trade skills recognition (TSR), trade certificates, and travel and accommodation allowance (TAA) for apprentices and trainees.

View the Apprenticeship and traineeship policy (v1.2 10 July 2019)
Complaints management policy

This policy establishes the complaints management process for the Department for complaints made by external clients, members of the public and other government agencies. The policy conforms with the relevant Australian Standard and Public Sector requirements.

View the Complaints management policy document

Government building training policy

Important notice
From 1 April 2019, the Priority Start policy will replace the Government building training (GBT) policy. Those contracted under the GBT policy will have the option to transition to the Priority Start policy from 1 July 2019, once their 2018–19 reporting obligations have been fulfilled. No new tenders or contracts should include clauses relating to the GBT policy.

Further information on the new policy, including transition arrangements, is available on the Priority Start policy page

GBT resources and further information

The following resources are still available to assist contractors and State Government agencies with contracts reporting under GBT policy.

General information
For contractors

Head contractors

Subcontractors

Target training rate

For State Government agencies

If you require any further assistance, please contact the GBT policy officer on 08 6551 5607 during business hours, or email policy.gbt@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

Language services policy and guidelines

The Department of Training and Workforce Development is committed to the use of competent interpreters and translators to provide a service to those unable to communicate through written and spoken English. This policy ensures that the rights of Western Australians who are unable to communicate effectively in spoken or written English to access Government funded services are not compromised by this inability.

View the Language services policy document
View the Language services guidelines document

Priority Start policy

The Priority Start policy came into effect in WA on 1 April 2019, replacing the previous Government building training policy (GBT), and applies to State Government building, construction and maintenance contracts resulting from tenders released from 1 April 2019. Under the policy, all head contractors awarded State Government building, construction, civil construction and maintenance contracts valued over $5 million must meet the industry's average target training rate for apprentices and trainees.

View the Priority Start policy document

Full details about the policy, and helpful information and resources, are available on our Priority Start page

School-based apprenticeship and traineeship policy
As of November 2018, the School-based apprenticeship and traineeship policy is now incorporated into the Apprenticeship and traineeship policy.
 
Sponsorship policy

This policy outlines the sponsorship principles and procedures to be followed as part of all sponsorship arrangements; both providing and receiving, and prior to any binding commitment given by the Department of Training and Workforce Development or TAFE college.

View the Sponsorship policy document 

View the Sponsorship procedures document, including forms 

TAFE Admissions policy

This policy outlines the framework for admission to publicly funded VET award qualifications at TAFE colleges. It contains detailed information on the processes applied by TAFE Admissions to select prospective students for places in full time courses and by TAFE colleges to select students in part time qualifications.

View the TAFE Admissions policy document

Trade certificate policy

As of November 2018, the Trade certificate policy is now incorporated into the Apprenticeship and traineeship policy.

 

Trade skills recognition policy

As of November 2018, the Trade skills recognition policy is now incorporated into the Apprenticeship and traineeship policy.

 

Travel and accommodation allowance policy

As of November 2018, the Travel and accommodation allowance policy is now incorporated into the Apprenticeship and traineeship policy.

 

VET fees and charges policy

This policy outlines the procedures governing the administration of fees and charges by registered training providers who deliver vocational education and training funded by the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development.

View the VET fees and charges policy 2019 (v2: Effective 22 January 2019)

VET delivered to secondary students: Funding policy

This policy outlines the eligibility of enrolled school students to access funding for approved courses listed in the list of VET courses funded for delivery to secondary students. 

View the VET delivered to secondary students funding policy document  (v2: Effective 1 January 2019)

View the VET delivered to secondary students funded course list for 2019 (v2: Effective 10 December 2018 through to 31 December 2019)

View the VET delivered to secondary students funded course list for 2020  (v1.1: Effective from 1 January 2020)

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Guidelines

Travel and accommodation allowance (TAA)

Through TAA, the Department assists apprentices and trainees with travel and accommodation related to the completion of their off the job training component. Assistance is also available to lecturers and employers whose travel and accommodation arrangements meet the requirements of the policy. Full information about TAA is available in the Apprenticeship and traineeship policy, available under the Policy section of this page.

View the Procedures for TAA for apprenticeships document

The following must be used for all TAA claims.

For enquiries relating to TAA, or to submit application forms, please contact taa@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

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Priority Start policy

The Priority Start policy came into effect in Western Australia on 1 April 2019, replacing the previous Government building training (GBT) policy. The new policy meets the State Government’s Plan for Jobs commitment to maximise opportunities for apprentices and trainees on all major State Government funded building, construction and maintenance contracts. 

Priority Start aims to ensure a sustainable construction trades workforce for WA by increasing the overall numbers of apprentices and trainees in the building and construction industry. To achieve this, the policy requires companies awarded State Government building construction, civil construction and maintenance contracts valued over $5 million (including GST) to meet the industry's average target training rate for apprentices and trainees. 

View the Priority Start policy

A major construction project.
A major construction project.
A major construction project.
A major construction project.
A major construction project.
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Who's in scope

State Government agencies issuing building, construction and maintenance contracts and the head contractor and subcontractors used for the contracts are in scope of the Priority Start policy. Government trading enterprises (GTEs) should consider the policy when procuring these contracts. 

What's new under Priority Start

  • Applies to contracts with a total value over $5 million (including GST).
  • Separate target training rates for general construction – 11.5%, and civil construction – 5%.
  • Contractor reporting has been reduced to once a year.
  • Expanded range of in-scope qualifications and construction trades worker occupations.
  • Probationary apprentices/trainees are now included in the training rate calculation.
  • Stronger monitoring and compliance.
  • Panels established to consider head contractor requests to vary their training rate.

Transitioning to Priority Start

Head contractors reporting under the GBT policy will have the option to transition to the Priority Start policy from 1 July 2019, once their 2018–19 reporting obligations have been fulfilled.
Note: No tenders issued from 1 April 2019 should include clauses relating to the GBT Policy.

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Enquiries and assistance

If you require any further assistance, or have any queries, please contact our Priority Start officer on 08 6551 5607 during business hours or email policy.prioritystart@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

     

    The following photos appearing on this page are used with permission.

    • Optus Stadium transport construction (also used on home page), and Forrestfield Airport Link project: courtesy of the Public Transport Authority WA;
    • NorthLink WA and Nicholson Rd (Bridge) over rail projects: courtesy of Main Roads WA; and
    • Yagan Square construction: courtesy of Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.
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    Freedom of information

    Freedom of Information (FOI) gives the public a right to access government documents, subject to some limitations.

    In Western Australia, under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (the FOI Act), the right applies to documents held by most State government agencies (such as departments, public hospitals, public universities and State government authorities), Ministers and local government.

    Documents accessible under the FOI Act include paper records, plans and drawings, photographs, tape recordings, films, videotapes or information stored in a computerised form.

    View the Department's Access to information policy (Nov 2018)

    You might also find these Frequently asked questions about FOI useful

    A person reaching for a file.

    You can also find out more about the FOI Act by visiting the WA Office of the Information Commissioner’s website.

    For further information, please contact the Department's FOI coordinator via email to foi.coordinator@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

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    Contact us

    Write to us

    For enquiries, feedback or complaints please use our online form available here.

    Or by post to:

    Department of Training and Workforce Development
    Locked Bag 16
    Osborne Park DC 6916

    Call us

    08 6551 5000
    For callers outside of Australia: +618 6551 5000

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    Apprenticeship Office

    The Apprenticeship Office registers and administers training contracts, and regulates the apprenticeship system in Western Australia.

    Call us

    Phone 13 19 54

    For callers outside Western Australia, please call 08 6551 5499

    Write to us

    Email apprenticeshipoffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au or use our online enquiry form.

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    Migration Services

    The Migration Services team provides a settlement information and referral service for skilled migrants, including overseas qualification assessments for Western Australian residents.

    Visit us

    The Migration Services team is located at 1 Prospect Place, West Perth.

    Visit our website migration.wa.gov.au

     

    Call us

    Migration Services: +618 9224 6540

    Write to us

    Email:  migration@dtwd.wa.gov.au

     

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    Muresk Institute

    Muresk Institute is dedicated to supporting the growth of a skilled rural workforce. With a focus on the agriculture, agribusiness, health and mining industries, Muresk Institute is an education and training facility that aims to improve rural productivity, build capacity and attract and retain a skilled rural workforce in Western Australia.

    Visit us

    Muresk Institute is located on Muresk Road, approximately 10km southwest of Northam.

    Visit our website at dtwd.wa.gov.au/muresk

     

    Call us

    1300 994 031

    For callers outside of Western Australia please call 08 9690 1591

    For callers outside of Australia please call  +618 9690 1591

    Write to us

    Email: muresk@dtwd.wa.gov.au

    Or by post to:

    Muresk Institute
    Locked Bag 2
    Northam WA 6401

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    TAFE International WA

    TIWA is responsible for the recruitment and admission of international students studying at Western Australian TAFE colleges. It also manages the placement of overseas students into WA public schools.

    Visit us

    The TIWA team is located at the East Perth TAFE campus – Building B, Level 2, 140 Royal St East Perth.

    Visit our website tafeinternational.wa.edu.au

     

    Call us

    08 9218 2100

    For callers outside of Australia please phone +618 9218 2100

     

    Write to us

    Use the online enquiry form available on our website.

     

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    Enquiries, compliments and complaints

    The Department welcomes your enquiries, and we want to hear what you have to say. Your feedback helps us understand more about what’s important to our clients and stakeholders, and your complaints let us know where there’s something we need to improve.

    Enquiries

    Please use our online enquiry form and we will make sure your enquiry is handled as quickly as possible, so that we can get back to you with the information you’re looking for.

    Enquiry form

    Compliments and feedback

    We appreciate knowing when our clients are happy, and like to recognise and acknowledge a job well done. We will be sure to forward your compliment on to the right area. We also appreciate your feedback for improvement. Please use our online feedback form.

    Feedback form

    Complaints

    We believe in continuous improvement, and we aim to deliver services that benefit the Western Australian community. We invite you to let us know if there’s a situation or an issue that you’re not happy about, or if you feel we need to improve our service in some way. In accordance with our Complaints management policy; we will respond via the contact details you provide with a formal acknowledgement of your complaint within two business days, and an update or resolution within ten business days.

    Complaints form

    Please read our privacy guidelines for information on how the Department manages information you provide.

    If you would prefer to contact us in writing or over the phone, please refer to our Contact us information for postal address and telephone number details.

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    Page last updated March 08, 2017