Greens call for funding shake-up of private education providers

The Australian Greens spokesperson for Higher Education, Robert Simms, says the potential class action against for-profit provider, Evocca College, highlights the need to crackdown on private operators accessing government funding.

Senator Simms said a lack of regulation and oversight leaves students at risk of exploitation and receiving sub-standard degrees.

"It's time for an overhaul of vocational education training in Australia. We really need a system that puts quality in education above the profit margins of private businesses."

"Evocca College scored more than $400 million of Federal Government funding from 2012 to 2014, and yet only 32% of their students graduated.

"This is emblematic of a system that's putting the profits of private institutions above the interests of students."

"This class action shows the deep levels of dissatisfaction with these kinds of for-profit education providers and serves as a yet another reminder of the need for reform."

The Senate Inquiry into The operation, regulation and funding of private vocational education and training (VET) providers in Australia is still underway.