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Statement by the Minister for Higher Education and Skills

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Yesterday's announcement by Victoria University that it has decided to cut 30 jobs in its TAFE division creates a difficult time for students and staff. However, to imply this is because of changes to the Victorian Government's funding of vocational education and training is misleading.

Victorian TAFE institutes are experiencing a period of change, some of which is externally driven. Many of Australia's universities and TAFE institutes have been impacted upon by a significant decline in international student numbers, partly due to the high Australian dollar and the Commonwealth Government's application of highly restrictive visa arrangements for students wishing to study at TAFE.

In the last year, international education enrolments in vocational education in Victoria have fallen by 16 per cent across the sector. Victoria University's international student enrolment in vocational education has declined by almost 25 per cent in the last year.

Policy-driven changes implemented by the previous government and continued by this government have led to changes within the vocational sector, and in particular have increased access to vocational education and training to a record number of Victorians.

Those policy changes have seen a major increase in the level of government investment in training, and TAFE institutes have grown their overall delivery on the back of that additional funding. In 2011 the Victorian Government will make a record investment of around $1.2 billion in vocational education and training, and this is expected to increase to around $1.3 billion in 2012.

Since the introduction of Skills Reform in 2008, Victoria University has reported a 12 per cent growth in government-subsidised enrolments. Over the same period, VU's revenue from the Victorian Government increased by more than $13 million and its TAFE workforce has increased by 127 full time equivalent staff.

TAFE institutes in Victoria are independent statutory authorities and as the employers of all staff they are responsible for managing their workforces, including all decisions on employment matters. This independence has been important in ensuring that Victoria has the most responsive TAFE system in the country.

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