Quicker, Cheaper Degrees: More TAFE-University Pathways

The Albanese Labor Government is making it quicker and cheaper for Australians to get the skills and qualifications they need. 

Student debt has been cut by 20 per cent and the Government has introduced Free TAFE. 

The next step is cutting the length of a degree for students who already have a TAFE qualification in the same area. 

This year the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) will develop a national credit recognition framework.

This will build on the good work some universities and TAFEs are already doing:

•    The University of Canberra is saving students up to $17,000 by taking one year off a degree if you already have a relevant TAFE qualification in seven areas, including nursing, early childhood and care and graphic design. 

•    Western Sydney University is saving students up to $18,000 by reducing the length of a degree if you have a relevant qualification in areas including nursing, construction and IT. 

These institutions are the pace setters. 

To encourage more universities and TAFEs to work together, the ATEC will be able to allocate more future student places to universities that reduce the length of a degree for students who have a TAFE qualification in the same area. 

This will reduce the length and cost of university study required for students with relevant TAFE qualifications, making going to university quicker and cheaper. 

For students who do a Free TAFE course, it means that the first year of their degree is effectively free. 

The ATEC will develop the framework with the Department of Education, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Jobs and Skills Australia and State and Territory Governments. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare:

“We have cut student debt by 20 per cent.

“We have made Free TAFE permanent. 

“This is the next step to make going to uni quicker and cheaper. 

“If you have a TAFE qualification and you go to uni to study in the same area, the university should count that. 

“They should cut the length of your degree. 

“This will save you time and money.

“This is what this is all about. 

“Making it quicker, cheaper and easier to get the skills and qualifications you need. And that Australia needs.

“It also means that if you do a Free TAFE course, your first year of uni is free.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“Students shouldn’t have to relearn skills they already have, their TAFE qualification should count the moment they step onto a university campus.

“Removing duplication is good for students and good for productivity.

“The Australian Tertiary Education Commission, alongside our Government and the education and training sectors are working closely together to build a seamless skills pipeline so students can move from TAFE to university without hitting roadblocks.

“This creates a coordinated pathway instead of two separate systems that don’t speak to each other.”