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Media Release
NEW VICTORIAN UNI PLACES - THE FACTS
28 January 2004 MIN 595/04
Victoria benefits from the distribution of the 25,000 fully funded places announced yesterday. All states and territories are net beneficiaries.
Victoria’s Labor Education Minister Lynne Kosky is misleading when she says Victoria will lose places:
“We will lose 4,000 places. He's taking away just under 5,000 places in total and giving us back 859 places so we'd lose around 4,000.”
Jon Faine program ABC Melbourne, Jan 28, 2004
The distribution of university places is complex and easily misunderstood. These are the facts.
Universities have until 2008 to reduce overenrolments to 5%. At the moment the state of Victoria is only marginally above this 5% limit and consequently it will only need to phase out 11 places. At the same time Victorian institutions will receive 2,349 new places at a cost of about $50 million. This is clearly a net gain of 2,338 places.
Adding to this new medical and nursing places allocated to Victoria brings the net gain to 2,575.
| Victoria |
Total overenrolment |
5% limit allowed |
By 2008 |
| Overenrolments |
4,986 |
4,975 |
11 (to be phased out) |
| Additional places |
|
|
2,349 |
| Net position |
|
|
2,338 |
| New medical and nursing places |
|
|
237 |
| Overall net position (excluding growth places to be allocated in 2007 and 2008) |
|
|
2,575 |
*Overenrolment figures based on 2003 data
There will also be a further 6,700 places allocated to the states and territories in 2007 and 2008 to support population growth.
It should be remembered by Victorians that these fully funded places are only available thanks to the passing of the Howard Government $2.6 billion higher education reform package. The Victorian Government fought every step of the way to prevent this package being passed - and so fought against any places for Victoria at all.
Media contact:
Dr Nelson’s Office Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
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