The TAFE lobby welcomes the government plan to protect VET students whose colleges close. TAFE Directors Australia head Craig Robertson, congratulates voced assistant minister Karen Andrews, “for adopting these strong protections for students.”

The plan, (CMM Friday) extends the existing Tuition Protection Scheme for international students to locals.  If a college closes, students will be transferred to a similar course, with a subsidy to providers picking them up.

The scheme will be funded by federal levies on colleges, with TAFEs paying an administration fee and private providers paying this, plus a risk levy and an additional surcharge.

““While some higher premiums will be required for a while, the close watch that the TPS office keeps on providers should ensure that risks of sudden closures are reduced, along with premiums.”