Summary —

A delegation of senior executives from Australia’s skills training and higher education providers are gathering this week at Parliament House in Canberra, taking part in pivotal meetings with key political figures. The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) is convening the meetings that, in this instance, sees its members meet with the federal Opposition..

Key Issues —

As part of the ITECA Small Business Roundtable, these industry leaders are taking the opportunity to engage directly with members of the Opposition, including the Shadow Minister for Skills and Training, the Shadow Minister for Education, and other senior parliamentarians.

The ITECA Small Business Roundtable's engagement is part of a broader series of meetings with policymakers from across the political spectrum. These discussions aim to address pressing issues in skills training, higher education, and international education system.

A central topic of concern is the Australian Government’s policy to "put TAFE at the heart" of the national skills training system. Independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) argue that this approach is failing students, employers, and taxpayers. The data from the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) shows that independent RTOs consistently outperform public TAFE colleges in delivering quality outcomes for students. Leveraging this data, ITECA is advocating for a policy shift to "put students at the heart" of the system, rather than focusing on any one provider type. By doing so, ITECA members argue that the skills training system will better serve the diverse needs of learners and employers alike.

The ITECA delegation is advancing a strong case for reforms within the Australian Universities Accord. With the final report from the Accord including recommendations that do little to support students studying with independent higher education institutions. These institutions, often small and student-focused, have long been overlooked in higher education policy debates. ITECA is urging for a more inclusive approach that values all education pathways, not just those offered by traditional public universities.

Another pressing issue on the agenda is the looming crisis in Australia’s international education sector. The Australian Government’s recent policies have put significant strain on independent providers, leading to college closures and job losses. Despite this, data from the NCVER shows that international students overwhelmingly report satisfaction with their experiences at independent RTOs. ITECA members are calling for urgent reforms to prevent further damage to this vital sector.

"This is a great example of ITECA's award-winning member-driven political advocacy, which is shaping critical discussions in Parliament House.  It ensures that the voices of independent RTOs and higher education providers, influencing policy decisions that directly impact providers in the sector, their staff and students," said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.

This week’s meeting with the Opposition is just one in a sustained series of high-level engagements ITECA is holding with parliamentarians. Later in the week, ITECA will with the Minister for Skills and Training to continue their advocacy, with discussions also taking place with key cross-bench members.

ITECA members are driving this political engagement. They are inside the room, meeting directly with Ministers and Shadow Ministers to share their stories and advocate for the reforms that will shape the future of Australia’s education sector.

Further Information — ITECA is a member-driven organisation, with our members setting our agenda, determining our policy, funding our activiries and directly benefiting from the results.  If you would like further information on this matter, please 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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