Private RTOs Beats TAFE Colleges in Completion Rates and Student Satisfaction

Private RTOs Outshines Public TAFE Colleges

In Australia’s vocational education and training sector, an ongoing debate rages about which type of institution delivers the best outcomes for government-funded students. New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) sheds light on this matter, and the results are intriguing. Private registered training organisations (RTOs) outperform their public TAFE college counterparts in completion rates and student satisfaction. 

Private RTOs Achieve Higher Completion Rates than TAFE Colleges

Qualification Level	TAFE	Private RTO
Certificate I	22.5%	38.5%
Certificate II	33.8%	50.8%
Certificate III	51.9%	57.9%
Certificate IV	44.2%	51.9%
Diploma (& Above)	51.9%	53.3%
Total	43.0%	54.2%

The data on completion rates for government-funded students paints a clear picture of the superiority of private RTOs over public TAFE colleges. Looking at the breakdown by certification level, the disparities are significant. Certificate I completion rates stand at 22.5% for TAFE, but private RTOs soar at 38.5%, marking a substantial 16.0% difference in favour of private RTOs. Certificate II sees TAFE at 33.8%, while private RTOs excel at 50.8%, boasting a remarkable 17.0% difference.

This trend continues with Certificate III, IV, and Diploma (& Above), showcasing differences of +6.0%, +7.7%, and +1.4%, respectively. When considering the total, TAFE lags with 43.0%, while private RTOs shine at 54.2%, displaying an 11.2% difference. These statistics affirm the superior outcomes offered by private RTOs in delivering quality education to government-funded students.

Students More Satisfied in Private RTOs

Satisfaction Metric	TAFE	Private RTO
Achieved main reason for doing training	85.7%	88.7%
Improved employment status after training	64.4%	68.7%
Satisfied with support services	77.5%	81.5%
Satisfied with teaching	87.2%	88.9%
Satisfied with facilities	84.2%	85.0%
Satisfied with the learning resources	81.6%	85.4%
Satisfied with the training overall	88.9%	90.7%

When evaluating student satisfaction across various metrics, private RTOs consistently outperform public TAFE colleges, as shown in the table above. The difference in percentage points highlights these advantages: For students who have “Achieved the main reason for doing training,” private RTOs have a 3.0% higher satisfaction rate. Regarding “Improved employment status after training,” the difference is 4.3%, with private RTOs ahead. Students’ satisfaction with “Support services” is 4.0% higher with private RTOs, while “Teaching” sees a 1.7% difference in favour of private RTOs. 

The gap narrows to 0.8% for “Facilities” but widens to 3.8% for “Learning resources.” Overall training satisfaction reveals a 1.8% advantage for private RTOs. These distinctions underscore the superior student satisfaction offered by private RTOs, making them an attractive choice for government-funded students.

ITECA’s Perspective

Considering this data, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) has been vocal in its stance. They firmly believe in putting students at the heart of the skills training system, allowing them to choose their preferred training provider, a quality-driven independent RTO or a public TAFE college, based on their preferences.

“Currently, there is a significant push by the government to put ‘TAFE at the heart’ of the skills training system, which many independent RTOs are pushing back against. Instead, ITECA firmly believes in putting students at the heart of the system, where the government supports their freedom to choose their preferred training provider,” said Troy Williams, ITECA’s Chief Executive.

ITECA emphasises that the data, consistent with results from previous years, underscores the importance of placing students at the heart of the skills training system. This approach empowers students to make informed decisions about their education, leading to better outcomes in the long run.

A Case for Choice

The data also highlights the importance of choice in the skills training landscape. Recognising that students have diverse needs is crucial, and what works best for one might not be suitable for another. This is where choice comes into play.

Rather than favouring one type of institution over another, a more balanced approach that considers students’ individual preferences and goals is necessary. Private RTOs, with their higher completion rates and greater student satisfaction, should be part of this equation.

It’s noteworthy that, concerning fee-for-service income, private RTOs boast a completion rate 4.7% higher than public TAFE colleges. Private RTOs maintain a completion rate of 5.1% greater than public TAFE colleges for all training types, whether government-funded or fee-for-service.

This data demonstrates that private RTOs are not only excelling in government-funded training but also fee-based courses. These institutions have a track record of delivering results and satisfaction.

Conclusion

The latest NCVER data tells a compelling story: RTOs are leading the way in delivering better outcomes for government-funded students.

As the Australian government engages in discussions about the future of vocational education, it’s essential to consider the facts and give students the freedom to choose their preferred training providers. There may be more effective paths forward than the one-size-fits-all approach. Students deserve options that align with their goals and learning styles.

By acknowledging the strengths of private RTOs and placing students at the heart of the skills training system, we can create a more robust and flexible vocational education landscape that benefits both students and taxpayers. It’s time to reevaluate our approach to skills training and embrace a more inclusive and student-centric perspective. This data reinforces our commitment to excellence and underscores the value of choice in education.