Private Education and Training in Australia
The private education and training sector
has a long history of education and training in Australia.
It plays a significant role in post-secondary education and
training for industry and professional skills. Private educational
institutions are represented in most disciplines and located
in most regions of Australia.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training
(ACPET) was established in 1992 to provide a strong national
body for private educational institutions in Australia.
Role and Purposes
ACPET's mission is to work proactively with government, education
and training providers, industry and community organisations
in order to ensure that vocational and higher education and
training services are of high quality, provide choice and
diversity, and are well targeted, appropriately delivered
and widely accessible. To achieve this, ACPET:
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Represents the private sector to
government, education, industry and the public
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Promotes the widespread participation
of private education and training institutions in national
initiatives
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Disseminates information to and
among members and from members to external organisations
and the public
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Monitors ethical and professional
standards
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Assists government recognition
authorities with industry policy and regulation
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Provides a Tuition Assurance Scheme
(TAS) for members who are registered to enrol students
from overseas.
Membership
Private education and training institutions include both
commercially based businesses and community and other organisations.
These institutions inherit a long industry. The first private
colleges in Australia were founded over 100 years ago, in
Melbourne in 1884, in Mackay in 1894 and in Sydney in 1895.
These colleges continue today and are complemented by a wide
and diverse range of colleges, institutes and education centres
located throughout the country.
With over 250 member organisations, ACPET is the largest
body representing the private education and training sector
in Australia. Members are drawn from a wide range of private
educational institutions, both in size and scope of training.
Membership in ACPET is subject to adherence to an industry
code of ethics.
One of the aims of ACPET since inception was to give the
public confidence in the quality of its membership. As a result,
members must satisfy and maintain various quality control
checks established both by regulatory and accreditation authorities,
and by ACPET itself.
Private Education and Training in
Australia
Available Courses
Australia's private education and training institutions offer
many options for education and training at secondary, post-secondary
and higher education levels. Course levels range from certificates
through to professional diplomas and bachelor degrees. Specialist
vocational courses are available in art, aviation, business
studies, beauty, community services and health, hospitality,
fashion and design, graphics, music, religion, retail, sport
and recreation, tourism, trade courses and in many other areas.
Courses are developed in consultation with industry bodies,
and are designed to be practical and relevant to ensure that
graduates can achieve successful employment in their chosen
vocation. Most courses are accredited under the National Framework
for the Recognition of Training (NFROT). Many courses articulate
into higher-level courses at universities or other tertiary
institutions, so that graduates can receive credit transfers
onto those courses.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements vary in private as in public sector institutions.
Generally those seeking access to higher education-level courses
will need to have completed Year 12 or be mature age students
who have gained relevant knowledge and skills through their
working life. Specialised courses may have specific entry
requirements.
Recognition by Prior Learning (RPL) is offered by many private
institutions to formally recognise and give credit for experimental
skills and informal learning. RPL may involve an interview,
portfolio, special assessment tasks or relevant work experience
as well as, or instead of, a relevant tertiary entrance work.
Study in a Private College
Those studying for a higher education qualification (a diploma,
advanced diploma, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or
bachelors degree) usually find study at a private college
quite different from study at a university. There is an emphasis
on classes being small enough to allow easy interaction and
discussion (large lecture classes are very rare) and most
courses have a strong practical orientation. In many cases,
instructors and lecturers are professionals in the field,
or people iwht many years of professional experience. Often
private colleges will arrange practical work experience and
may also provide help in finding employment.
Students at Private Colleges
The size and character of student groups varies widely, just
as it does in public colleges and universities. Some students
come directly from school, some are re-entering the work force,
others have many years in the work force and are seeking a
career change or to improve their skills and qualifications.
Students often find private institutions a more cost-effective
path to a career, due to their flexibility and efficiency
of study. They can take advantage of full-time and part-time
study options, student-paced learning, distance modes of study,
Recognition of Prior Learning, etc. to structure their study
more effectively for their particular circumstances. Many
private institutions cater to international students offering
courses listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions
and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Recognition of Qualifications
Most courses are accredited under the National Framework
for the Recognition of Training (NFROT). National accreditation
standards ensure that qualifications gained from both private
and public institutions have the same value, integrity and
recognition nationally and internationally. In addition, professional
and industry associations accredit many courses in private
institutions.
Private Educational Associations
Private providers are represented by the Australian Council
for Private Education and training (ACPET), the Australian
Council of Independent Business Colleges (ACIBC) and the Western
Australian Private Education and Training Industry Association.
How Can I Find Out More?
Please refer to individual private institutions for detailed
information concerning courses, fees and enrolment.
Thousands of students, both Australian and international,
have graduates from private institutions belonging to ACPET.
Most have continued on to successful careers in their chosen
fields. A decision to enrol at a private educational institution
could be the beginning of one of the most enjoyable periods
of your life, as you study and live in Australia. Graduation
from your chosen course will be the base from which you can
build a successful future.
When choosing a course of study in Australia,
look for institutions which display the ACPET logo. It is
your guarantee of quality, relevant practical education and
training.
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