Education union rejects TAFE fee restructure
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The Australian Education Union is continuing its calls for the Government to abolish its new fee structure for TAFE colleges.
Fees for high-level courses have been increased to a maximum of $2,000.
A new survey released by the union today shows most students in Bendigo see TAFE as a less attractive option with the introduction of higher fees.
The Victorian branch president, Mary Bluett, says the changes will hurt regional students in particular.
She says the union is particularly concerned about higher fees for people on concession cards.
"Well we certainly support the notion of restructuring the cost of courses and having higher cost at the higher end makes sense," she said.
"What we're saying is particularly the abolition of concession rates at those higher level courses will be a barrier."
The Skills and Workforce Participation Minister, Jacinta Allan, says the union is being misleading in its claims.
She says the new system is fairer, creates new places in TAFE colleges and retains cheaper rates for most students on concession cards.
"The concession card regime will continue to be available for people studying foundation and certificate level courses and for people undertaking a diploma or an advanced diploma, they will be able to access a loan system," she said.
"They won't pay anything until they are out in the workforce earning above $43,000 a year."
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