“Government funding needs to be agnostic as to the provider”

The decision, which came into effect in late May after an extraordinary general meeting earlier in the month, sees the organisation expand its remit from solely private to other independent not-for-profit providers throughout both the vocational and higher education sectors.

“These consultations identified a growing recognition on the need for reform,” said ITECA chief executive Troy Williams.

“Australia deserves an integrated tertiary education system in which the higher education, vocational education and training sectors operate as one to deliver students and their employees with the quality outcomes they are looking for.”

As part of the change, Williams said ITECA would refine its focus towards advocacy for changing Australia’s post-secondary funding system, which is currently split between higher education and vocational education.

“We need a funding system that blends private contributions with government funding and permits students to easily transition between the higher education and vocational training sectors,” he said.

“Importantly, government funding needs to be agnostic as to the provider allowing students to choose a quality independent provider, a public university or public TAFE college. It’s all about student choice.”

Australian international education bodies have welcomed the transition to ITECA.

“More than any other time, it is crucial that we have robust, energised peak bodies supporting the international education sector,” said IEAA chief executive Phil Honeywood.

“IEAA thoroughly welcomes both the name change and the new CEO as an opportunity to recast quality private providers advocacy for and on behalf of the dynamic international education industry.”

Australia’s vocational providers attracted over 244,000 international enrolments in 2018, of which 68% chose an independent provider.