Lost Opportunity for Australia's VET Sector: A Failure in Policy, Not in Education

Blame not the VET sector, but the policymakers for the squandered opportunity that could have transformed Australia. The real "dodgy" players aren’t the vocational education providers. It’s a policy failure that could have been avoided. The true responsibility lies with the policymakers whose decisions have led to a loss of investments, jobs, and livelihoods. Politicians have pursued a bad agenda. And the beaureaucrats have acted like 'Minister Servent' than the 'public servant'. History may not look kindly on those who failed to manage and regulate this industry effectively.

Fault of regulators not of the whole industry

This is a major missed opportunity for Australia. It’s time to put an end to the narrative about dodgy colleges. No college licensed itself. No provider self-approved their CRICOS registration or allocated their course slots. Every vocational provider has complied with the same regulatory burdens, with every Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) issued through PRISMS. If regulators and the government have failed to regulate properly, that’s their responsibility—not the fault of the entire industry. The laws of Australia provide all the necessary tools to oversee this sector, but instead, the response has been to divide and label institutions unfairly.

It was never about the quality

The government’s claims about quality are problematic. Institutions that filled their classrooms quickly are now being rewarded with larger student caps, while those who admitted only high-quality students are facing restrictions. This formula is based solely on quantity, without considering any meaningful metrics of quality. The much-promised risk ratings and genuine student checks have not been implemented as expected, and those who adhered to the rules are now paying the price. This sends a clear message: trust in government policy is eroding, and in the future, many will be more cautious before believing new promises.

Overqualified Workers Aren’t a Problem—They’re an Asset

There’s no shame in seeing doctors driving Ubers or engineers fixing cars. Australia cannot function solely on university graduates, and we’ve been fortunate to have highly skilled, overqualified individuals contributing to our workforce in various capacities. Overseas nurses have been caring for our elderly, overseas teachers have been educating our children, and engineers have been supporting industries like automotive repair. These people aren’t burdens—they’re an asset, working hard and progressing within their fields over time. Why create the perception that some work is beneath someone with education?

A Shift Toward Centralized Control

Australia prides itself on being a market-driven economy, yet we now see policies that resemble central planning. Quotas and caps are typically associated with socialist or centrally planned economies, not the free market system we embrace. Many individuals and businesses have invested heavily in building vocational education enterprises, creating jobs and contributing to the economy. Suddenly, these same businesses are being stifled by policies that seem to disregard the positive impact they’ve made. The investors who backed these ventures will leave the industry, perhaps permanently.

National progress depends on more skilled workers

The need for skilled workers is undeniable. We have massive infrastructure projects underway, including building one million homes, expanding aged care, childcare, and disability services, and developing critical industries like defense and manufacturing. Where will the people to fill these people come from?

Missed Opportunities for Regional Australia

Vocational education could have played a crucial role in addressing the needs of regional Australia. VET students, given the right opportunities and incentives, would have been more than willing to move to regional areas, revitalizing towns that are in desperate need of growth. But the government seems reluctant to acknowledge this solution, and instead, regional areas continue to struggle, with cries for help largely ignored.

Reputational Risk for Australia

Australia’s global reputation as a welcoming destination for international students and skilled workers is now at risk. With inconsistent policies, we send mixed signals to the world: one minute we need international talent, the next minute we impose quotas and caps. This short-term thinking may have long-lasting consequences, as we are not the only country seeking skilled individuals.

By limiting opportunities for international students and restricting the VET sector, we are undercutting our own future workforce, leaving critical industries under-resourced and regional areas underdeveloped. This is a policy failure that could have been avoided with more thoughtful planning.

The damage is significant, but the question remains: will the government recognize the long-term implications of these decisions and take corrective action before it’s too late?