Bill Shorten is urging the government to stop cuts to the TAFE and apprenticeship sector, as he continues his bus tour down the country's east coast.
The Labor leader is turning his attention to the trades from Monday, calling on the prime minister to step in and prevent $500 million in TAFE cuts.
The National Partnership Agreement on Skills Reform expires on June 30.
"The Turnbull government's own budget papers show there is nothing to replace it," Mr Shorten said ahead of a visit to Brisbane.
"If Mr Turnbull lets these cuts happen, it will mean fewer TAFE courses, higher course fees and lower course quality."
Citing youth unemployment in parts of Australia sitting at above 25 per cent, Mr Shorten says now is the worst possible time for the government to be cutting money from TAFE and apprenticeships.
"It beggars belief the Malcolm Turnbull's budget includes a $50 billion tax handout to big business and the banks, but he can't find $500 million to properly fund TAFE and training programs."
His call echoes that from Australia's peak business organisations which united last month to insist the government recommits to fully funding a new National Partnership Agreement focused on apprenticeships.
They include The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Australian Industry Group and the Business Council of Australia.
Mr Shorten spent last week travelling through flood-ravaged North Queensland before making his way down the state's coast.
