TAFE & Adult Provision State of disappointment: still not enough for TAFE

The state budget handed down on 2 May had some welcome investment for public schools and early childhood education; however, Victorians who rely on TAFEs for their education will be disappointed.

There was additional funding of $83.2 million over four years for the Office of TAFE Coordination to help TAFE network collaboration, including funding to support the transition to the new funding model announced in 2021. 

There was $12 million for the Apprenticeship Support Officers program to support students at risk of failing to complete their apprenticeships, and $800,000 for an audit of accessibility in TAFE campuses.

Greater investment is needed to ensure high quality student learning.

But the state government’s Macklin review made it plain that Victoria’s TAFEs are not funded to cover the full cost of training, and this budget did nothing to address this funding shortfall. Greater investment is needed to ensure high quality student learning, and to attract and retain the next generation of TAFE teachers.

With a state election in November, and as we campaign for a new TAFE agreement, there is plenty of opportunity to make a case for the state government to find a way to finally ‘Save TAFE’.

    * mandatory fields


    Filed under

    Latest issue out now

    Australia's public education system is open to everyone. That's why it deserves the support of every Australian. AEU members working in public education continue to do the heavy lifting within the education system, doing more with less, fighting for equity, and seeking the best possible outcomes for their students, often against the odds. Read more in our Term 2, 2023 edition of AEU News.

    View Latest Edition