THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has recently commenced three new inquiries into proposed works by the Department of Defence (Defence), the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts (DITRDCSA), and Services Australia under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

Defence is proposing to deliver new facilities and infrastructure upgrades in support of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory. The proposed works include a new operations support facility, new vehicle shelters, and associated external works to provide infrastructure and security. The total estimated cost of the proposed project is $299.1 million (excluding GST).

DITRDCSA is proposing works under the Norfolk Island Multi-Purpose (NIMPS) Facility—Stage 1 Residential Aged Care Replacement Project. The proposed works include a 16-bed residential aged care facility, mortuary, ancillary storage and warehouse structures, upgraded site-wide infrastructure (electrical, water supply, wastewater, stormwater, communications, roads and footpaths) and the demolition of redundant facilities. The total estimated cost of the proposed works is $51.6 million (excluding GST)

Services Australia is proposing 11,301 square metres of fit-out works at new leased premises at 10 Macquarie Street, Parramatta, New South Wales. The new office space will replace Services Australia’s existing lease at 130 George Street, at a reduced Net Lettable Area. The total estimated project cost is $30.69 million (excluding GST).

The committee is inviting interested individuals and organisations to make submissions by Thursday, September 10 this year for the Defence referral and Thursday, October 1 for the DITRDCSA and Services Australia referrals. More information is available on the Committee’s website.

Note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Thursday, August 27, as part of its inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES).

The inquiry was referred to the committee on November 27 last year by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth MP.

The NES set out the minimum working conditions, forming a safety net that underpins Australia’s workplace relations system. After hearing evidence from unions, the business sector, peak bodies, academics and employment law practitioners, the committee will discuss the key issues and concerns identified by these stakeholders with the Federal Departments charged with managing the NES.

Committee Chair, Carina Garland MP, said, "The hearing would allow the committee to test how proposals to simplify, clarify and modernise the provisions for minimum working entitlements may operate in practice.

"The National Employment Standards are a cornerstone of Australia’s workplace relations system, but workplaces and working arrangements have changed significantly since they were introduced 16 years ago. Our goal is to identify pragmatic reform that ensure the standards remain relevant, accessible and effective for the modern Australian worker."

The committee will hear evidence from:

• The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
• The Fair Work Ombudsman

Further information is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Time: 5:30pm to 6.30pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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NSW PUBLIC SCHOOLS are leading an increase in the number of students signing up to vocational education and training courses, which are helping them gain practical, job-ready skills for rewarding careers while also addressing critical shortages.

As the nation prepares to mark National Skills Week from August 24, new National Centre for Vocational Education Research figures show that NSW VET in School commencements increased by 30.8% or 13,850 across all three school sectors to 58,785 in 2025.

This was led by a surge at NSW public schools, where commencements rose by a massive 36.5% from 29,005 in 2024 to 39,605 in 2025.

This increase in commencements has driven total VET in School enrolments at NSW public schools to a record high of 44,550 in 2025.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said vocational education and training (VET) in schools gave students valuable skills, experiences and insight into the many pathways available to them after school.

“National Skills Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible work of our VET teaching workforce and the opportunities they create for students every day," Mr Dizdar  said.

“By giving students practical, industry-connected skills while they are still at school, VET opens their eyes to careers they may not have considered and helps them make informed choices about their future.

“VET is about giving young people a head start – building the practical skills, confidence and experience they need to move from the classroom into further training, further study and rewarding careers.”

NSW public school students can enrol from as early as Year 9 in VET courses to help them prepare for further education, training or employment.

Schools offer a range of VET courses from construction through to entertainment services, providing students with recognition towards their HSC in addition to a nationally recognised VET qualification.

The lift in high school VET numbers has been supported by the NSW Government expansion of the Educational Pathways Program, and increased support for the Regional Industry Education Partnerships Program and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs).

SBATs allow students to achieve a VET qualification and their HSC at the same time as gaining valuable work skills through paid employment.

These programs are helping to build a skilled, adaptable workforce that meets the needs of employers today while also preparing NSW for the jobs of the future.

The NSW Skills Plan 2024-2028 underlines the importance of strengthening VET pathways, transitions and career support for secondary learners.

National Skills Week 2026, under the theme Life Changing, raises awareness of the opportunities available through VET and the contributions of apprentices, trainees and skilled workers to industry, employers and the broader economy. 

NSW Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister Steve Whan said National Skills Week was the perfect opportunity to showcase to students how vocational education and training could transform lives, businesses and communities.

“I am delighted to see a record number of students in VET subjects. It shows more young people are recognising the value of practical, job-ready skills.

"National Skills Week is about celebrating the skills that work. These are the skills that lead to jobs, support industry and create opportunities for people right across NSW.

"Through our school-based initiatives we're connecting students with local employers, local industries and real career pathways, helping build the skilled workforce our state needs for the future."

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from the representatives of more than 50 councils during five interstate hearings in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia this week as part of its inquiry into local government funding.

The committee wants to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government and its workers who provide infrastructure and deliver services to residents of regional and urban communities in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. It also wants to listen to issues faced by councils trying to meet the demands of rapidly growing commuter areas near Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Perth.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips MP, said, “The committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, potential solutions to current challenges, and the impacts of rising demands on the sector’s workforce.”

Hearings will begin in Launceston on Monday, August 24, where the committee will hear from local government representative bodies, unions, metropolitan councils and regional councils, including from King Island. The committee will explore a range of issues including workforce issues, and labour market conditions across Tasmania.

The committee will then travel to Adelaide for a hearing on Tuesday, August 25 to listen to councils as diverse as the City of Adelaide, Kangaroo Island Council and the Mildura Rural City Council in Victoria, as well as from local government associations for the Northern and Yorke, Murraylands and Riverlands, Limestone Coast and the Southern and Hills regions. The committee will hear from the Essential Services Commission of South Australia and members of the Australian Services Union too.

Port Lincoln in South Australia will be the next hearing venue on Wednesday, August 26, for the committee to listen to the range of challenges faced by rural district councils across the Eyre Peninsula, along with the larger city councils in Port Lincoln and Whyalla.

The committee will then travel to Perth for a hearing on Thursday, August 27, to explore a wide range of issues including grant distribution processes. It will hear from state government officials, councils in metropolitan, regional and outer‑urban areas, unions, and other stakeholders such as the WA Local Government Association, the Local Government Professionals WA and the Local Government Elected Members Association.

The committee’s final hearing in Western Australia will be in the wheatbelt town of Northam, on Friday, August 28.  Discussions will cover financial sustainability, insurance and risk, workforce and infrastructure challenges, as well as the broader pressures facing local government across regional WA such as providing rural health services.

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 24 August 2026
Time: 8.30am – 3.20pm
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street, Launceston, Tasmania

Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Time: 8.40am – 4.45pm
Location: Parliament of South Australia, Kingston Room, Adelaide, SA

Date: Wednesday, 26 August
Time: 8.30am – 1.30pm
Location: Port Lincoln Yacht Club, 1 Eyre Street, Port Lincoln, SA

Date: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Time: 9.00am – 4.25pm
Location: WA Legislative Council, Committee Room 1, 2 Parliament Place, West Perth, WA

Date: Friday, 28 August 2026
Time: 9.00am –4.30pm
Location: Bridgeley Community Centre, Avon Auditorium, 91 Wellington St, Northam, WA

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

Details for upcoming public hearings and more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is also available on the inquiry webpage.

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