Stop TAFE Cuts
TAFE4all
NSWTF
I give a Gonski
Putting students first
AEU Invest in Quality
AEU 
OurTAFE
Fund Art
Did you know?
What is happening with Smart and Skilled?
The Smart and Skilled website has links to information.
The complexity of Smart and Skilled is proving to be a serious problem as it intersects with new systems and funding cuts.
Previously finding out how much you would have to pay to study for a qualifcation was relatively straight forward. This is now impacted on a by arange of factors. First you need to see whether the qualification is on the Skills List, then you have to prove eligibility, then jump through a series of hoops to see whether you might be able to acheive an exemption of concession.
Next up you will be assessed to see whether this is your first qualifcation at the current level, if not you may be penalised with a higher cost for the qualification. At the coal face this is an exasperating process, even if teachers and admn staff are armed with the right peices of paper, information and by some miracle the systems are working, it is an arduous process that seriously undermines good pedagogical practice. The perfect storm for the crippling of TAFE.
Mick Veitch - MLC Hansard 19/9/13
The best way to ensure a strong economy, a strong future and a fair go for everyone starts with a good education and training system that gives people from all backgrounds the opportunity to develop the skills they need to participate in a vibrant and diverse economy.
Why TAFE needs government support to maintain high quality disability services for students!
This article explains the importance of disability services to TAFE students which you will find of concern. Read Article
The NSW Government has asked the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) to conduct a review of price and fee arrangements for government-funded vocational education and training under the State's Smart and Skilled reforms. From 2014, eligible people will be able to choose government subsidised training for select foundation courses and qualifications up to and including Certificate III from TAFE NSW or an approved private or community training organisation. See further information
ACPET, the national organisation for private training providers, has urged in their pre-budget submission to the Federal Government that TAFE should not continue to have ownership of its facilities. CEO of ACPET, Claire Field suggested that: "The public would get better bang for its money if infrastructure was owned publicly but at arm's length. See further information
Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, said in Parliament on 12 February 2013 that TAFE is at the frontline in skills training which is vital for our economy. He went on to say that all members on his side of the house (the Government) opposed the cuts to vocational education, and gave examples of NSW, Victoria and Queensland cuts to TAFE. See rest of Hansard report
New VET Advisory Board
The Federal Government's new VET advisory Board has no educational or Union expertise. The Board is chaired by John Hart from Restaurant and Catering Australia, with four industry representatives including from Mines and Anglicare. As we have seen to-date the Government only consults with certain groups, and the lack of any educational expertise is of considerable concern.
Gov Funding to Non-TAFE Providers Double +
According to AEU research, payments to non-TAFE providers, as a proportion of Government recurrent funding, was 11 per cent in 2008 and 23.2 per cent in 2012 nationally.
Private Providers continue to make money out of taxpayer funds
TCA Joins Nurses & Firefighters
The Alliance joined nurses and firefighters in supporting the Mining the Age of Entitlement report released today by the Australia Institute, at a media launch.
Alliance launched campaign on National TAFE Day.
The campaign was entitled ‘What do you reckon? What are society’s expectations of TAFE?’ The State Government has used this budget to make further cuts to TAFE, but the Alliance believes that this continual undermining of the TAFE system in NSW does not represent community views. We will be seeking views of the community to campaign around in the run-up to the State elections. See media release and Discussion paper.
TAFECommunityAlliance.org