Business welcomes the government’s commitment to a national skills passport, making it easier for businesses to employ workers and for Australians to apply for jobs, Business Council chief executive Bran Black said.

“The Business Council has long advocated for a skills passport and a national framework for a digital, portable skills sharing system, and today’s announcement is a game changer.

“This will enable Australians to store their qualifications easily, make applying for a job simpler and more streamlined and help reduce the barriers to lifelong learning. 

“It will make the system more flexible for learners and make it easier for them to switch degrees or institutions while receiving recognition for what they have already achieved. 

“For employers, it will provide a nationally consistent format to view and verify the skills and competencies of a potential employee.

“We thank the government for working with business to develop common sense solutions that are needed to improve our skills system.

“The Business Council welcomes the opportunity to participate in the scoping study later this year.”