QUESTIONS ON NOTICE › Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Employment Participation and Childcare, and Indigenous Employment and Economic Development: Staffing (Question Nos 1113, 1125, 1138 and 1141)
Senator Chris Evans: The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows: A summary table responding to the question is provided at Attachment A. Attachment A Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Portfolio: Agency 2010-11 ASL (i) 2011-12 ASL (i) Question 1 Have staffing numbers in agencies within the Minister's portfolio been reduced as a result of the efficiency dividend and/or other budget cuts; if so, in which areas and at what classification? Question 2 Are there any planned staffing number reductions? Question 3 What changes are underway or planned for graduate recruitment, cadetships or similar programs, and if reductions are envisaged can details be provided, including reasons, target numbers etc? Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations 5,070 4,800 Change in ASL reported in 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 1. In 2011-12 the Department's latest assessment is that it will need to meet a staff reduction of approximately 200 people The de partment is managing this reduction through natural attrition and strengthened focus on internal mobility and agility. Efforts are focused on four elements of matching people to work, welcoming ideas on saving time and money, supporting people to be the best they can be and balancing responsibilities better. Graduate and other recruitment programs will continue. Numbers recruited will have regard to business needs and available resources. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority 106 108 Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 21 34 Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Australian Learning and Teaching Council 31 8 The reduction in ASL numbers relates to the decision to abolish the ALTC operations. The ASL levels forecast for 2011-12 primarily had carriage of winding up the operations of the agency, and finalising delivery of the remaining agency work plan Not Applicable Not Applicable Comcare, The Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation, and the Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority 637 642 Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Fair Work Australia 329 332 Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Fair Work Ombudsman 868 855 Change in ASL reported in 2011-12 Budget Paper No. 1 is due to operating budget reductions. Staff reductions will be made across all classifications and parts of the business. No No change is planned to recruitment through any entry level programs. National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority) 0 155 Not Applicable The increased ASL for the agency reflects that 2011-12 will be the first year of operation Not Applicable Not Applicable Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner 155 155 Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Safe Work Australia 107 110 Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable (i) Reference Table C5: Estimates of average staffing level (ASL) of agencies in the Australian Government general government sector, Budget Paper No. 1 2011-12