International Capability

TDA Capability

 TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is the peak national body incorporated to represent Australia’s 61 government owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Institutes and university TAFE divisions, and the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).

Australia’s TAFE Institute network is the largest and most diverse tertiary education sector in Australia with more than 1300 campuses located across Central Business Districts (CBD), suburban, regional and remote locations, with many Institutes offering further services through the Asia-Pacific and other offshore regions.

The core business of TDA is supporting our member Institutes, leading the advocacy for quality skills in Australia, and managing a range of international education and training projects in cooperation with our member institutes.
TAFE Directors Australia was established by TAFE directors in 1998. Our Mission is to provide national leadership in the TVET sector through:

Our strategic objectives can be summarised as follows:

In 2009, TDA relocated its National Secretariat to TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute (Ultimo campus).

TDA has extensive representation on national and international committees as well as partnerships with government agencies and non-government organisations throughout the world

TDA has specific expertise in providing vocational training and education services in the following areas:

 Member Capability

TAFE Directors Australia member’s institutes engage with international clients on range of levels:

Inbound students

In 2007 the Australian VET system supported over 100,000 international students (from over 80 source countries) to complete a vocational qualification. TAFE institutes offer high levels of student support in both learning and lifestyle and student’s high levels of satisfaction are testament to the quality delivered.

Transnational (TNE) programs

TAFE institutes are experienced in developing and designing successful transnational programs - these projects span the globe with programs in Middle East, North and South Asia and the Pacific. Current data indicates that the TAFE system is training over 30,000 international VET students through transnational delivery (NCVER 2006).

Offshore industry development

TAFE institutes are leading the way in developing innovative global partnership with key multinational organisations to meet their skilling needs. TAFE WA’s partnership with Leighton’s in their global mining operations is a good example whereby TAFE meets the training needs of Leighton’s mobile workforce through offshore delivery co-located at key sites in India, Indonesia and the Pacific.

Systems development opportunities

TAFE institutes are well placed to work direct with government or key change agencies (including aid and development donors) to engage in large scale system development projects. Australian TAFE’s involvement in the $20 million Chongqing VET Project involved up to 10 Australian TAFE institutes in working and mentoring Chinese counterparts in VET reform and governance. As the largest provider of vocational education and training in Australia, and with the support of government, TAFE is the ideal partner for systems development projects.