A 5% rise in the number of government-funded students to 1,256,365 in 2023 masks the fact that government funding allocations limit student choice, with tens of thousands of students across the nation unable to study in their preferred course or with their preferred Registered Training Organisation (RTO). That's the view of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers.
Data released this week by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) showed that in 2023, the total number of government-funded students rose by 59,830 to 1,256,365 students, with much of the growth in public TAFE colleges, which saw their numbers grow by 50,240 students. Last year, the number of government-funded students with independent RTOs grew by 9,100 to 595,735.
"The growth in students studying with public providers has nothing to do with students' study preferences, but rather it was the only option given to them by the government," said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
ITECA welcomes any rise in the number of government-funded students; however, government skills funding programs continue to be poorly designed as they limit student choice.
"Many will naturally welcome the increase in government-funded students; however, this will not be universal as government funding policy that increasingly preferences public TAFE colleges limit the ability of students to choose the colleges that's best able to help them achieve their life and career goals," Mr Williams said.
According to ITECA, the structure of government skills training funding, which forces students to study with public providers, is not in the best interests of students.
"Where students want to study with an independent quality RTO, they may not be able to do so as a government-funded place may not be available. This approach lets students down," Mr Williams said.
When it comes to government funding of skills training, the NCVER data shows that independent RTOs deliver better outcomes for both students and taxpayers.
"Government funding policy that increasingly directs students to public TAFE colleges delivers subpar outcomes for both students and taxpayers. NCVER data shows that across all qualification types, independent RTOs achieve higher completion rates for government-funded students," Mr Williams said.
The most recent data shows the importance of ITECA's advocacy to put students at the heart of a high-performing skills training system that's underpinned by independent quality RTOs.
"Governments should empower students to study with the training providers that are best able to support their life and career goals, whether this is an independent quality RTO or a public TAFE college," Mr Williams said.
The data on government-funded students needs to be considered in the context of overall student enrolment data. Across Australia, independent RTOs support more than 89% of the 4.5 million students in skills training.
