Television presenter Scott Cam will be paid $345,000 for his role as National Careers Ambassador, jobs department officials have confirmed.
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The Block presenter was appointed to the role in October, as part of the Coalition's $585.3 million to improve the vocational education and training system.
The former carpenter was hired to "help promote the importance of career information, both when starting out and at key transition points throughout a career", a government press release said at the time.
"Scott will also help the National Careers Institute promote the variety of career pathways available, including vocational education and training (VET), something he's well placed to do as a VET graduate," it read.
But Employment Minister Michaelia Cash refused to say how much Mr Cam would be paid for the 15-month gig, claiming it was commercial-in-confidence.
However Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business deputy secretary Nadine Williams told a spillover session of Senate estimates on Thursday evening Mr Cam would be paid around $345,000 for his services.
"Mr Cam's contract - or the contract with Mr Cam's representatives - is over two years and the value for the first year is $260,000 excluding GST, that's for this financial year, and there's a further amount for next financial year of $85,000," Ms Williams said.
Senator Cash pointed out the Labor government had previously hired Mr Cam for other promotional purposes.
The Austender contracts register shows Mr Cam was paid $74,250 to spruik the Centrelink Jobs Expo in 2009. His company SWC Contractors was paid another $76,500 to endorse the jobs expo the following year.
"He's across politics," Senator Cash interjected.
Labor senator Louise Pratt said while Mr Cam was a "fun bloke", she was concerned that his appointment came "at the same time as there are significant cuts to vocational education".
"Is this an attempt to paper over and distract from those cuts by the government?" Senator Pratt asked.
Senator Cash said it was unfair to ask the department that question.
"The appointment of Scott Cam is obviously to highlight the value of vocational education as an opportunity to provide an incredibly rewarding career," Senator Cash said.
