Portfolio — 18 August 2026

The Minister for Skills and Training used a statement to the House to showcase two education infrastructure milestones in Melbourne's northern suburbs, reinforcing the portfolio's equity-focused approach to expanding access to vocational and tertiary education [TA-260817-house-0d302146644c:s081]. Earlier this month the minister officially opened new student toilet amenities at Findon Primary School, delivered through the Albanese government's Schools Upgrades Fund [TA-260817-house-0d302146644c:s081].

The project traces to a visit two years ago when the minister joined the Member for Mill Park, Lily D'Ambrosio, to hear students' ideas, including a request for a dedicated years 5 and 6 swimming pool and a priority for refurbishing toilet blocks [TA-260817-house-0d302146644c:s081]. The minister thanked Principal Anita Osavkovska and former student leaders Deb and Lucy for their advocacy on the project [TA-260817-house-0d302146644c:s081].

The Northern Study Hub in Epping marked its first anniversary, now supporting 420 students across two sites, with more than half from low-SES backgrounds and over one-third the first in their families to attend tertiary studies [TA-260817-house-0d302146644c:s081]. The minister said the hub demonstrates how the portfolio makes tertiary education more accessible by reducing distance, cost and circumstance barriers for students in Melbourne's northern suburbs [TA-260817-house-0d302146644c:s081].

These announcements follow the earlier Free TAFE Construction program, maintaining the portfolio's focus on expanding educational infrastructure and targeted support to improve equity and pathways for disadvantaged communities [TA-260817-house-0d302146644c:s081].