Summary —

Official data highlights that international onshore students who completed vocational education and training qualifications have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the training provided by independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), with private RTOs leading on key metrics of student satisaction.

Key Issues —

Independent RTOs have an established reputation for quality, with the official data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) showing that these independent institutions deliver great outcomes for international students in several critical areas.

The NCVER data shows that independent RTOs lead on key metrics of student satisfaction including achieving the main reason for undertaking their training, highlighting the efficacy of these institutions in meeting educational and career goals. Furthermore, the employment outcomes post-training are impressive, with a notable number of students gaining employment in Australia and many others reporting an improvement in their employment status.

Additionally, independent RTOs contribute substantially to enhancing students' skills. The improvement in numerical and writing skills among students is remarkable, reflecting the high quality and practical nature of the training provided. The satisfaction metrics extend to other crucial aspects as well, with high ratings in areas such as teaching quality, assessment satisfaction, support services, and learning resources.

		Student Satisfaction Metrics International Onshore Student Qualification Completer
		◾  Achieved main reason for doing the training	Private RTO:  92.1%
		◾  Employed after training in Australia	Private RTO:  83.2%
		◾  Improved employment status after training	Private RTO:  77.0%
		◾  Improved numerical skills	Private RTO:  75.3%
		◾  Improved writing skills	Private RTO:  82.4%
		◾  Recommend training	Private RTO:  88.8%
		◾  Satisfied with assessment	Private RTO:  88.8%
		◾  Satisfied with support services overall	Private RTO:  82.9%
		◾  Satisfied with teaching	Private RTO:  86.4%	Source:  NCVER Data Builder Accessed 7 August 2024
		◾  Satisfied with the learning resources	Private RTO:  84.0%

The importance of these findings cannot be overstated, especially as the Australian Government considers its approach to international education policy. Independent RTOs not only meet but exceed expectations in delivering vocational training that equips students with essential skills and improves their employability. This high level of satisfaction among international students underscores the pivotal role these institutions play in the broader educational landscape.

“Given these outcomes, it is imperative that the Australian Government engages closely with ITECA when formulating international education policies. The insights and data provided by ITECA and its members can inform policies that support and enhance the quality and competitiveness of Australia's international education sector,” said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.

ITECA's commitment to advocacy is driven by a member-focused approach, aiming to support the growth and development of RTOs that cater to international students. This dedication ensures that these institutions continue to thrive, providing world-class training that meets the needs of students and the demands of the global workforce.

The member-driven advocacy being undertaken by ITECA highlights the continued success of independent RTOs, something essential for maintaining Australia's reputation as a premier destination for international education.

Getting Involved —

Leaders from independent RTOS and higher education shape ITECA's policy advocacy on this and related matters through their participation in the ITECA International Education National Policy Committee.

Further Information — This advice is one of the many ways that ITECA empowers your team with the information to make sound business decisions.  If you'd like to discuss this matter further, the ITECA team would value the opportunity to talk to you.  Simply send an email to [email protected] or telephone 1300 421 017.  Stay up to date via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Disclaimer & Copyright — This information may be reproduced in limited circumstances under a Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.  Information published on this webpage is intended for general information only and no warranty is providers as to accuracy or completeness thus any reliance you place on this material is therefore strictly at your own risk.

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