Party responses to this inquiry for NSW election 2023.
The Greens - full response
Thank you for contacting the Greens NSW regarding the TAFE Community Alliance’s election issues.
The Greens support the Alliance position on these critical issues. The Greens NSW Education election policy platform includes strong commitments in relation to restoring TAFE.
Restoring TAFE is fundamental to supporting people in our communities to grow skills and educational wealth. The Greens believe that any person who wants vocational education in our communities should have access regardless of their socio-economic background, cultural background, or learning needs. Forcing students to pay fees to undertake higher learning is a travesty and it is the most vulnerable in our communities who are missing out on educational opportunities because of the Liberals and Nationals systemic underfunding of TAFE, the introduction of student fees, and the appalling pay and conditions for teachers.
The current salary, conditions and workload of TAFE teachers has become a barrier to retaining existing teachers and the recruitment of new teachers. TAFE teachers are now paid less than school teachers despite being required to have additional expertise.
The Greens will restore a free and well-resourced TAFE system where teachers and students are valued. The Greens will ensure fair and just salary increases for TAFE teachers and reverse the casualisation of the TAFE workforce. The Greens will deliver 100% funding to TAFE from the State and Commonwealth budgets with no competition from private providers.
The Greens commitment to restoring TAFE includes:
- Making TAFE free again for all students
- Delivering a salary increase for TAFE teachers that is on par with school teachers
- Providing pathways to permanency for 10,000 casual TAFE teachers over the next 4 years
- Reducing administrative burdens
- Abolishing the contestable funding model and guarantee 100% of all State and Federal vocational education budgets to TAFE
- Stopping the closure of TAFE campuses
For more information on the NSW Greens Education policy see the Greens Education Policy.
"The NSW Greens believe education is a human right of children and people at all stages of life"