This document is intended as a summary and does not provide analysis.
YNOT attended the community lock-up prior to the release of the 2018-19 Tasmanian State Budget, on Thursday 14 June.
It’s pleasing to see that the Government has invested much needed funds in child protection; however opportunities to address youth housing and homelessness, transport and support for young people transitioning from education to employment have been overlooked.
While there are initiatives in these areas, a more coordinated and targeted approach in addressing the specific needs of young people is required.
YNOT looks forward to working with the Government to ensure the voice of young people and the youth sector are represented in policy implementation and the work of the Government moving forward.
Below is a brief summary of some of the relevant Budget items for young people and the youth sector:
Out of Home Care
Extension of Out of Home Care to 21
$3 million over three years to support young people transitioning from Out of Home Care, for young people 18 to 21 years of age.
Out of Home Care – additional support
Funding of $6 million per year provided to Child Safety Services to employ additional Child Safety Officers, other front line staff, implementation of the child protection redesign and support children with complex needs in OOHC.
Out of Home Care – continuing Learning Initiative
Funding of $1.2 million over three years allocated for a new foster care allowance program to improve secondary levels of education and training. $2500 incentive payment to both the foster carer and the young person upon successful completion of their TCE.
Strengthening the permanency of placement process
Funding of $900,000 over three years allocated for improvements in processes and systems of the transfer of guardianship and adoption.
Support for Young People Exiting Care
Additional funding of $150,000 over three years to the CREATE Foundation Tasmania to support young people leaving OOHC.
Youth Justice
Ashley Youth Detention Centre Redevelopment
$7.3 million over three years allocated for a major redesign and upgrade to the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
Youth Sector
Equal Remuneration Order Costs
Additional funding for the ERO is being contributed in ten installments over nine years; 2020-21 will be year nine of additional ERO funding. This will enable community sector organisations to fully meet their obligations and requirements under the Fair Work Australia ERO.
Increased Core Funding to peak bodies
Increased core funding to existing peak bodies previously funded by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which includes the Youth Network of Tasmania. Indexation will be applied to core funding from 2019-20.
Housing and Homelessness
Affordable Housing Strategy Stage II
Stage two will provide an additional 1,500 new affordable homes, assisting around 2,000 households. Funding allocated is $25 million per year over five years starting in 2018-19. Of this, $20 million over three years will be quarantined for accessible homes for people living with a disability.
Successful elements of the Affordable Housing Strategy Stage 1 will continue including Private Rental Access Program, Rapid Rehousing, Landlord Incentive and Head
Leasing, and continuing the Streets Ahead and HomeShare home ownership programs for low income Tasmanians.
Stamp Duty Discount
A 50% discount on stamp duty for first home buyers for homes up to $400,000, saving up to $7,000.
First Home Owners Grant
Extending the $20,000 First Home Owners Grant for 12 months until 30 June 2019.
Education
Extend Every Tasmanian High School to Year 12 by 2022 (Job Ready Generation 2.0)
38 high schools have been extended to Year 12, with the remaining 19 to be extended over the next four years. A further $6 million has been allocated in this Budget to support infrastructure building development required for the implementation in this initiative. ($1.5 million commencing in 2018-19, taking the total infrastructure allocation to $10.5 million over the Forward Estimates).
TasTAFE Centres of Excellence
$18.9 million allocated to establishing TasTAFE Centres of Excellence in agriculture, trades and water, and tourism and hospitality aimed at providing opportunities for young Tasmanians to develop skills.
Stay ChatTY
Funding of $250,000 per annum for four years has been allocated in 2018-19 budget to continue work between Government Schools and Stay ChatTY.
Health
250 beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital
A dedicated 16 bed adolescent unit in the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) as part of 250 new beds announced for the RHH.
Employment
Supporting more Apprenticeships and Traineeships
$7.5 million over three years for a Small Business Grants for Apprentices and Trainee Program. The funding would provide a grant of up to $5,000 for each new apprentice or trainee taken on by a small business in an area of identified skills demand, such as building and construction, tourism, hospitality and manufacturing.
Other
Rural Youth of Tasmania
$70,000 over four years to Rural Youth of Tasmania to support young people in rural industries leadership programs.
Project O
Funding of $450,000 over three years to deliver a family violence primary prevention project. The project will aim to provide workshops on mentoring, leadership, empowerment and digital inclusion for at-risk young women who have witnessed or experienced family violence.
Ticket to Play – supporting sport participation
Funding of $3 million in 2018-19 has been allocated for Ticket to Play, a sports voucher system for young Tasmanians. Vouchers up to $100 will be available to eligible Tasmanians aged 5-17 years to go towards sporting club memberships as part of this pilot project.
Intensive Family Engagement Services
Additional funding of $7.5 million over three years to build on intensive engagement services that are already delivered by community organisations.
Karinya Mums and Bubs
Funding of $600,000 over three years to enable the Mums ‘n’ Bubs program to continue to provide services to young Tasmanian mothers that includes supported accommodation.
Youth at Risk Strategy
Additional funding of $2 million over three years to support the Youth at Risk Strategy including Individualised Case Management aimed at providing a targeted therapeutic response. This includes an ongoing relationship with a support worker who will assist as they connect into relevant support and accommodation services.
• A copy of the State Budget can be found HERE
Youth Network of Tasmania
