The Victorian Aboriginal Health Organisation (VACCHO) is calling for a new Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisations (ACC-RTO) classification, which would differentiate ACC-RTOs from private RTOs and allow them to apply for public funds.

Under the National Skills Agreement, Commonwealth, State and Territory governments distribute 70 per cent of VET funding to TAFEs and other public providers, and up to 30 per cent to all other training providers.  

VACCHO CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO says despite being not-for-profit, fee-free trainings providers and accountable to their Communities, ACC-RTOs are currently treated as private providers under the Australian Skills Quality Authority.  

“This classification limits their ability to compete for a larger pool of funding, placing the sector’s financial sustainability at serious risk. This means that ACC-RTOs are confined to a much smaller, more competitive funding pool, despite delivering significantly better outcomes for Aboriginal students.”  

Dr Gallagher says Victorian ACC-RTOs have completion rates nearly three times higher than mainstream providers for Aboriginal students. In November, VACCHO’s RTO, Yagilaith Djerring, congratulated 46 dedicated students at a graduation ceremony who received diplomas in Aboriginal health, business and leadership, and social emotional wellbeing.  

“ACC-RTOs play a vital role in delivering culturally safe, Community-led education and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but sadly many ACC-RTOs are forced to consider whether it’s viable to provide training in the current funding landscape.” 

As a not-for-profit directed towards servicing Community skill needs, ACC-RTOs do not charge students for undertaking study in their chosen profession. The future financial viability and sustainability of this critically needed sector is at risk if ACC-RTOs are not recognised as part of the public sector and therefore have access public, government funding.”.   

Victoria is experiencing a critical shortage for multiple occupations in the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector including in-demand Aboriginal Health Practitioners and Aboriginal Health Workers. These occupations make up the backbone of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) workforce.  

“A bespoke, well-resourced classification will allow ACC-RTOs to fill the occupational shortage gap in Community. This will allow fairer access to funding, will support self-determination, and will strengthen the VET sector through equity, not competition,” Dr Gallagher said.   

The call for a new ACC-RTO classification is strongly supported by leading Aboriginal education organisations across Australia — including the Institute for Aboriginal Development, AbSec, Tiwi Training and Employment, Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, Gallang Place and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL) — all of whom have signed onto VACCHO’s position statement, 

Find out more about VACCHO’s advocacy for an ACC-RTO classification here.