From silos to seamlessness: towards a cross-sectoral funding model for post-compulsory education and training

Abstract

Student demand for seamless education and lifelong learning is leading to increased levels of cross-sectoral provisional by publicly funded education and training institutions. However the sectoral divisions that characterise Australia’s education funding frameworks make it difficult for institutions to provide cross-sectoral courses and inhibit the development of “student-centred” learning programs. Where cross-sectoral programs are implemented, the sector-based funding arrangements lead to anomalies and inequities for both institutions and students. This paper argues that public funding for post-compulsory education and training should be distributed according to principles that are consistently applied, regardless of the sector in which studies are undertaken.