Commonwealth Numbered Acts

EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACT 1988 No. 80 of 1988 - SECT 7

7. (1) The functions of the Board are:

   (a)  to inquire into, and to provide information and advice to the Minister
        with respect to, any matter referred to it, in writing, by the
        Minister, being:

        (i)    a matter relating to:

                (A)  education, other than migrant adult education;

                (B)  youth affairs;

                (C)  employment or training; or

                (D)  national research priorities or the co-ordination of
                     research policy; or

        (ii)   any other matter arising under an enactment administered by the
               Minister;

   (b)  on its own motion, but subject to subsection (2), to inquire into, and
        provide information and advice to the Minister with respect to, any
        matter referred to in subparagraph (a) (i) or (ii);

   (c)  to prepare and give reports to the Minister in accordance with section
        9; (d) to publish, or arrange for the publication of, reports, papers
        and periodicals on matters dealt with by the Board in the course of
        the performance of its functions; and

   (e)  to collect, assess and disseminate, and to promote, and assist in, the
        collection, assessment and dissemination of, information on matters
        dealt with by the Board in the course of the performance of its
        functions.

(2) The Board may perform a function under paragraph (1) (b) only if the
performance of that function does not prejudice the performance of its
functions under paragraph (1) (a).

(3) Before referring a matter to the Board under paragraph (1) (a), the
Minister shall consult with the Chairperson of the Board on the matter.

(4) Without limiting the generality of the matters relating to employment,
education or training that may be referred to the Board under paragraph (1)
(a), those matters include:

   (a)  the general development of employment, education and training
        policies, programs and services;

   (b)  the identification of national objectives, needs and priorities in the
        fields of employment, education and training;

   (c)  the provision of assistance for persons having difficulty in obtaining
        employment, education or training;

   (d)  the encouragement of a greater level of involvement in education and
        training on the part of the business and industrial sectors;

   (e)  the creation and development of educational materials and curricula;

   (f)  the education of handicapped children who have not attained school
        age;

   (g)  the overall allocation of financial assistance by the Commonwealth in
        respect of:

        (i)    higher education;

        (ii)   technical and further education;

        (iii)  school systems and schools;

        (iv)   employment programs and services; or

        (v)    skills formation;

   (h)  the provision of assistance to persons participating in employment,
        education or training programs;

   (j)  the provision of employment services;

   (k)  the granting of financial assistance under Part VII in respect of
        innovative or curriculum projects;

   (m)  the promotion of informed public debate on matters relating to
        education, employment or training through the involvement of
        employers, trade unions and the community.

(5) Without limiting the generality of the matters relating to national
research priorities or the co-ordination of research policy that may be
referred to the Board under paragraph (1) (a), those matters include:

   (a)  the identification of areas in which research should be carried out as
        a matter of priority;

   (b)  encouraging and facilitating the application or utilisation, in a
        manner beneficial to the country, of the outcomes of research;

   (c)  the identification of areas of research that will contribute directly
        to the economic or social development of Australia;

   (d)  stimulating a greater awareness of the necessity for research;

   (e)  making a more effective use of the skills and resources available in
        the community for research;

   (f)  the overall allocation of financial assistance by the Commonwealth in
        respect of research;

   (g)  policies relating to the grant of scholarships, fellowships, and other
        research grants under schemes administered by the Minister.

(6) The functions of the Board under subsection (1) do not extend to inquiring
into, and providing information and advice with respect to, the making of
particular grants of assistance under a scheme referred to the Australian
Research Council under paragraph 27 (1) (a).

(7) In the performance of its functions under this section, the Board:

   (a)  may consult with:

        (i)    the Consultative Committee; and

        (ii)   such persons, bodies or authorities as the Board thinks
               necessary; and

   (b)  shall have regard to any advice given by a Counsellor to the Board
        under section 57.