Premier warned of fallout from Tas Tomorrow fee hike

The Premier and Minister for Education has known for some time now that skyrocketing fees at the Tasmanian Skills Institute and Polytechnic are forcing many former TAFE students – particularly mature-age students – to leave the new System.

At the time of this year’s Budget, the Tasmanian Liberals raised serious concerns about the dramatic rises in education fees that were tipped for post compulsory students, trade courses, apprentices, Polytechnic courses.

Fees for the Tasmanian Academy, Polytechnic and Skills Institute jumped from $17.1 million in 2008-09 to $29 million in 2009-10 and are predicted to jump to $33.7 million in 2012-13.

Now, many students, particularly those who are currently employed but are looking to update their skills or become qualified in other areas, are simply unable to pay these fees.

There is no doubt that this situation has been caused by the State Government mercilessly forcing the Skills Institute and Polytechnic to ramp up their fees.

It was clear from the Budget that this was going to happen because of the way priorities were set. Now, a lot of people who are trying to get qualified in other areas are being hit with much higher fees.

We are also hearing complaints from students with disabilities who are saying that they are being denied places in courses in favour of teenagers and there are a number of areas in which courses are simply not running as they did under TAFE.
Sue Napier MP Shadow Minister for Education