Have your say - make a submission

In Victoria, introduction of market driven demand focussed system has meant:
• rises in course fees
• disguised public funding going to private providers
• declines in TAFE enrolments
• private providers cherry picking profitable courses - TAFE left with high cost technical training
• course options delivered by providers driven by financial considerations
• financial viability of TAFE threatened
• declines in educational quality

Many NSW MPs, including the Minister Adrian Piccoli have pledged to support the TAFE 5 Point Plan for a Better State. This includes a commitment to oppose contracting out TAFE jobs and courses to the private sector, to keep TAFE affordable, and to guarantee TAFE funding.

TAFE NSW is arguably Australia’s best TAFE system in spite of government underfunding in recent years. The NSW and Federal Governments must invest more funding in our successful TAFE institutes, which offer a broad range of high quality, diverse programs for all in the community, not just those who can afford to pay.

It is important that you make an individual, section or campus submission to oppose changes proposed by the consultation.

Your submission will be sent to:

• Smart and Skilled consultation  
• Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans
• NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell
• NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli
• Your local State MP

Please note: we will protect your privacy by not publicising or passing on your submission to any other organisation.

Your details

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State: * Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Victoria Western Australia

Your message

Smart and Skilled Submission - Keep TAFE high quality, with low fees Everyone in our community has always been entitled to attend TAFE and receive government funded high quality training at a modest cost. I oppose the concept of a “student entitlement” which means governments can shift costs to students through underwriting income contingent loans rather than increasing actual TAFE funding. Students are forced into debt to enrol in VET, and will pay more tax when employed. At the same time, profits for private providers grow. Students in regional and rural areas could face a reduction in services and availability of course options. For those out of work, or who are considering re-training these proposals could make it more expensive by requiring those on low incomes to go into debt. This could be a disincentive for many young people, or those wanting to re-enter the work force to enrol in vocational education and training. TAFE fees must be kept low to ensure everyone has access to high quality vocational educational and training. This means governments must increasing funding to TAFE and ensure that fees do not increase at higher rate than inflation. I oppose proposals which increase the cost of VET education, but which also deny TAFE adequate funding and threaten quality. In Victoria, introduction of market driven demand focussed system has meant: • rises in course fees • disguised public funding going to private providers • declines in TAFE enrolments • private providers cherry picking profitable courses - TAFE left with high cost technical training • course options delivered by providers driven by financial considerations • financial viability of TAFE threatened • declines in educational quality Recent reports on the “demand” driven Productivity Places Program have revealed that little training was delivered in the skills critical to our nation’s economy needs. A “demand driven” approach in Victoria has meant an over supply of VET graduates in fields where there are no critical skills shortages. A “demand” focus has led to complaints that unethical practices such as offering inducements to students enrolling in private for-profit training have developed. I oppose forcing TAFE institutes to compete with low cost private profit making providers on price alone. A financial report on the VET sector produced by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (The Australian 5/10/11) shows that Victoria’s fully marketised VET system has been the biggest loser. The financial position of the state’s TAFE institutes has deteriorated. “Having averaged small surpluses during the preceding four years, Victoria was confronted with an operating deficit of nearly $125m last year, after public payments to non-TAFE providers rose almost $140m to $275m.” Appallingly, the report also shows that much of the $190m increase in federal VET funding in the last year was advanced to states through underwriting student loans and debt. This has been accompanied by significant fee increases as part of student “entitlement” schemes. Many NSW MPs, including the Minister Adrian Piccoli pledged to support the TAFE 5 Point Plan for a Better State. This included a commitment to oppose contracting out TAFE jobs and courses to the private sector, to keep TAFE affordable, and to guarantee TAFE funding. The Smart and Skilled consultation must not be used to justify increasing the amount of training delivered by the private sector at the expense of TAFE. TAFE NSW is arguably Australia’s best TAFE system in spite of government underfunding in recent years. The NSW and Federal Governments must invest more funding in our successful TAFE institutes, which offer a broad range of high quality, diverse programs for all in the community, not just those who can afford to pay. I urge your government to invest in TAFE, guarantee funding and ensure everyone in NSW has affordable access to a TAFE education.

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