Deliver the skills Victoria needs through an integrated post-secondary school system

Victoria continues to work towards a better connected post-secondary system.

The Victorian Government’s submission to the Australian Universities Accord process²³ advocated to the Commonwealth Government to implement three Skills Plan recommendations to build a better connected post-secondary system. The final Universities Accord report echoed these recommendations.²⁴

The Commonwealth Government has responded to two of the recommendations through the 2024-25 Commonwealth Budget. This includes funding to pilot self-accreditation for selected TAFEs and for measures to reduce the regulatory burden for dual sector providers including TAFEs.²⁵

The Victorian Government and the Victorian TAFE Network continue to explore opportunities for post-secondary educational pathways which cut across current boundaries to provide responsive and better quality outcomes for learners and industry. Victorian TAFEs also deliver applied Bachelor degrees, which focus on practical and experiential learning to diverse students. TAFEs are also designing innovative vocational skill sets which can be added on to university or higher education programs, often linked to use of technology and equipment in real work settings.

The Victorian TAFE Network is promoting more seamless pathways between VET and higher education in priority areas

The Victorian TAFE Network provides pathways to higher education in priority areas. Some examples of these pathways include:

• GOTAFE has established higher education pathways with Charles Sturt University and La Trobe University.²⁶ For example, a Diploma of Nursing from GOTAFE provides a pathway to a Bachelor of Paramedicine degree at Charles Sturt University or a Bachelor of Nursing degree at La Trobe University.
• South West TAFE graduates from selected courses are given the opportunity to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (credits) for selected Deakin University courses. Pathways into Deakin University are available for Diploma or Advanced Diploma graduates in fields such as agriculture, nursing, arts, accounting, children’s services and community services.²⁷