The Victorian Government’s cuts to skills funding have sent shockwaves through the state’s skills training sector. Students across Victoria, particularly in rural and regional communities, face significant hurdles in accessing skills training opportunities, according to the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.
“The decision to cut the 10% funding premium for online learning, and perhaps counterintuitively a funding boost for public TAFE providers, has raised serious concerns about student equity, access, and choice in skills training for rural and regional students,” said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive Officer.
One of the most controversial changes is the removal of the 10% online learning support payment provided to independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). This funding was crucial for independent RTOs to develop high-quality digital learning resources and offer tailored support for online students.
“For students in rural and regional areas, online study is often the only viable option due to limited access to in-person training facilities. Without this funding, the cost of delivering online education increases, and students may face reduced access to learning support,” Mr Williams said.
While the Victorian Government announced a 30% increase in support for TAFE providers to deliver training in rural and regional areas, this move fails to address the broader needs of students. TAFE colleges do not offer every course that students in regional communities want or need. Independent RTOs deliver courses that support emerging and critical industries, and without equitable funding, students are left with fewer skills training options.
“For students who rely on independent RTOs for skills training, the impact will be severe. Unlike public TAFE colleges, independent RTOs often provide specialised and emerging industry courses not offered by TAFE. These courses are critical to the state’s economic growth and essential for students pursuing careers in high-demand industries across rural and regional Victoria,” Mr Williams said.
ITECA Victoria is calling on the Victorian Government to revisit the cuts and put in place new policies that put students at the heart of skills funding policy.
“Students in rural and regional Victoria deserve access to a full range of training opportunities, not just those offered by TAFE. A fairer funding model will ensure that all students, regardless of where they live or what they want to study, have access to high-quality training options that meet their needs,” Mr Williams said.
The skills training system works best when independent RTOs and public TAFE colleges are seen as complementary parts of a unified system, according to ITECA Victoria.
ITECA Victoria points to data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), which shows that independent RTOs consistently outperform TAFE in student satisfaction, course completion rates, and key performance indicators. By directing more funding to TAFE while simultaneously cutting support for online learning at RTOs, the Victorian Government is reducing the diversity and quality of training options available to students in rural and regional areas.
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Key Facts:
The decision to cut the 10% funding premium for online learning, and perhaps counterintuitively a funding boost for public TAFE providers, has raised serious concerns about student equity, access, and choice in skills training for rural and regional students.
Contact details:
Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive
e: [email protected]
m: 0400 599 934