Search Results

The Education Legislation Amendment (Provider Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2017 was introduced to Parliament on 1 June 2017, the reforms aim to ensure the quality of providers moving from the vocational education and training (VET) sector into the higher education and international sectors. Regulatory responsibilities for Australia's tertiary education sector are divided between the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training (DET) and some state departments. The effectiveness of that regulation aims to minimise the need for students to have recourse to generic consumer protection. The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and a variety of other student entitlement and grant programs operate within this regulated environment.

In this paper, the author discusses the implications of the new Bill for higher education providers and its potential contribution to regulation in the tertiary education sector. The author suggests that the real solution being offered may be a tightening and restriction of student loan programs, where the sector is bifurcated into 'trustworthy' education providers whose students can access government assistance and marginal providers where domestic, as well as international students, are required to pay full fee fees upfront for their courses and do so in an environment in which there is inadequate enforcement of regulatory protections.

Edited excerpts from publication. Show less

This paper argues that it is critical that all of the components of Australia's tertiary education sector be integrated and efficiently resourced in order to achieve the Commonwealth Government's objective of promoting growth in economic prosperity and social wellbeing through access to quality higher education, skills and training. The paper presents the following: recent developments in higher education resourcing and in [vocational education and training] VET resourcing; analysis and implications of income contingent loans (ICLs); the resourcing of teaching and training in the tertiary sector; and regulation. Recommendations are also provided.

Edited excerpts from publication. Show less