When it comes to government funding of skills training, data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) achieve the highest qualification completion rates. This should be a core consideration of government skills funding, according to the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.
"The NCVER data on completion rates for government-funded students indicates that private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) provide better outcomes for both students and taxpayers than public TAFE colleges. This highlights a major policy flaw of the Australian Government that seeks to put TAFE at the heart of the skills training system," said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
The NCVER data reveals that, across all qualification levels, private RTOs achieve completion rates up to 17% higher than public TAFE colleges for government-funded students.
NCVER Data On Government Funded Student Completions
- Certificate I – Completion Rates: TAFE: 22.5% / Private RTOs: 38.5%
- Certificate II – Completion Rates: TAFE: 33.8% / Private RTOs: 50.8%
- Certificate III – Completion Rates: TAFE: 51.9% / Private RTOs: 57.9%
- Certificate IV – Completion Rates: TAFE: 44.2% / Private RTOs: 51.9%
- Diploma & Above – Completion Rates: TAFE: 51.9% / Private RTOs: 53.3%
- Total Qualification Completion Rates: TAFE: 43.0% / Private RTOs: 54.2%
The NCVER data reveals that private RTOs consistently deliver superior outcomes for students and taxpayers. This is also reflected in NCVER data concerning student satisfaction.
NCVER Data On Government Funded Student Satisfaction
- Achieved main reason for doing the training: TAFE: 85.7% / Private RTOs: 88.7%
- Improved employment status after training TAFE: 64.4% / Private RTOs: 68.7%
- Satisfied with support services: TAFE: 77.5% / Private RTOs: 81.5%
- Satisfied with teaching: TAFE: 87.2% / Private RTOs: 88.9%
- Satisfied with the facilities: TAFE: 84.2% / Private RTOs: 85.0%
- Satisfied with the learning resources: TAFE: 81.6% / Private RTOs: 85.4%
- Satisfied with the training overall: TAFE: 88.9% / Private RTOs: 90.7%
The NCVER data clearly shows that the Australian Government's preference for directing funding to public TAFE colleges does not deliver the best outcomes for students, employers, or taxpayers," Mr. Williams said.
As the Australian, state, and territory governments consider the implementation of the national skills funding agreement, ITECA believes that a reconsideration of Australian Government policy is required.
"Students need to be at the heart of the skills training system, where the government supports their informed decision to study with either a public TAFE college or an independent RTO with a commitment to quality," Mr. Williams said.
