TAFE: Vital to Australia's Future

The Greens are committed to a well funded, publicly owned TAFE system as the dominant provider of vocational education and training. We will work to reverse the damage done to TAFE by State and Federal Governments.

Australia's economic future depends on a strong, well funded public TAFE system. We must reverse the deterioration in working conditions of TAFE teachers and students and the growth in poor quality private providers.

The Greens are campaigning to:

End the casualisation of TAFE. Restore full time teaching to 70% of hours taught. Protect the rights of casual teachers, including access to professional development.
Provide growth funding to TAFE. Reduce class sizes, restore course lengths, increase administrative support and end the axing of courses to save money. Fund teacher salary rises and professional development. Reduce the workloads on teachers.
End the growth in the "user choice" funding of private providers. An immediate freeze on government funding of private providers. Ban public funding of private providers where TAFE can supply the same training.

For more information:

See The Greens NSW Education Policy Summary

Latest News:

Education Minister’s TAFE bashing damages state’s future

11 February 2010

TAFE teachers taking strike action today are standing up for the future of the state’s economy, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Keneally must step in and stop DET attacks on TAFE Teachers

09 December 2009

Incoming Premier Christina Keneally must step in and solve the long running dispute between TAFE professionals and the Department of Education and Training, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Rees government must end its war on TAFE

19 November 2009

The Greens called on NSW Education Minister Verity Firth to negotiate with TAFE teachers and abandon plans that would see standards driven down to the lowest common denominator.

Firth kills second chance HSC at TAFE for Western Sydney

11 November 2009

The Greens warned that moves by NSW Education Minister Verity Firth to close Higher School Certificate programs at Blacktown TAFE will devastate opportunities for Western Sydney residents seeking another go at education.

Rees govt drives TAFE to the edge

30 October 2009

Education Minister Verity Firth has mismanaged a dispute with the state's TAFE teachers resulting in widespread industrial unrest and massive damage to skills training and NSW's economic future, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Rees govt drives TAFE to the edge

30 October 2009

Rees government bars struggling students from TAFE year 10 course

12 October 2009

The Rees government's 'learn or earn' changes to school leaving age, due to come into effect early next year, are being turned into a disaster for young people who are not coping with the school environment, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Rees government plunders TAFE budget

29 September 2009

In the decade to 2007, the NSW government's annual funding of TAFE has been slashed by more than $553.8 million, after accounting for inflation and the number of student hours taught, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Firth drive Wollongong TAFE teachers to industrial action

24 September 2009

The Greens are calling on NSW Education Minister Verity Firth to direct the Department of Education and Training to end their ongoing attacks on TAFE teachers.