Summary of publication

Australia remains committed to working with Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). In January 2024, DFAT, in partnership with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), commissioned an independent strategic review to assess the effectiveness of DFAT’s investments in TVET in PNG  in realising the commitments set out in the PNG-Australia Joint Statement of Intent on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (JSOI on TVET) that was signed on 5 August 2020. The JSOI on TVET contains commitments for Australia and PNG to work together to improve outcomes for the PNG TVET sector and to grow the number of skilled workers to enable PNG to seize economic growth opportunities domestically and internationally.

The review was led by independent consultants Dr Myra Harrison, an education specialist, and Mr Mark McNamara, a TVET specialist. The findings, observations and recommendations were compiled by the independent consultants and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government or the PNG Government.

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• Strategic review of PNG-Australia Partnership in TVET [DOCX 4 MB]
• Strategic review of PNG-Australia Partnership in TVET [PDF 3 MB]

DFAT management response

The review found that DFAT and DHERST have made good progress in 7 of the 18 commitments, there has been little or no progress in other commitments for various reasons which must be addressed. DFAT and DHERST agreed in-principle with the 12 recommendations of the review, which seek to address identified gaps and to enhance collaboration between DFAT and DHERST. Immediate priorities include updating JSOI commitments, producing a TVET subsector strategic framework, and reinstating technical assistance to DHERST. Longer-term actions involve strengthening governance structures, conducting TVET graduate tracer studies, and exploring new approaches for TVET provision. Some immediate priorities have already been achieved including updating the JSOI on TVET at the June 2024 PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby.

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• Management response – Strategic review of PNG-Australia Partnership in TVET [DOCX 145 KB]
• Management response – Strategic review of PNG-Australia Partnership in TVET [PDF 255 KB]

Publishing the review is in line with Australia’s commitment to high standards of transparency in reporting on the international development program, as per DFAT’s transparency statement.