Planning for the next decade of growth in kindergartens, schools and TAFE will support more Victorians to learn for life

Victoria will need around 900 new kindergartens, up to 60 new government schools and 20% more teaching space for TAFE over the next decade to give more Victorians access to education and training as the state grows.

Private and not-for-profit providers will meet some but not all of this demand. By focusing its investment where it is needed most, the Victorian Government can deliver the kindergartens and schools required in the future.

Infrastructure Victoria’s latest report, Learning for life: preparing kindergarten, school and TAFE infrastructure for the future, finds much of the demand for new education facilities will be in Melbourne’s growth areas.

“Our modelling shows Greater Melbourne will need up to 60 new government schools over the next decade or so,” said Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Officer Dr Jonathan Spear. “Ninety-five percent of these schools will be in Melbourne’s fast-growing communities, including Wyndham and Melton in the west, Whittlesea in the north and Casey in the south-east.”

Dr Spear said there will also be a need to expand existing schools in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs as those communities continue to grow.

“The Victorian Government is on track to meet its goal of opening 100 new schools by 2026,” Dr Spear said. “Our modelling shows the best way to deliver the schools we will need beyond 2026 is to build larger new schools and expand existing schools where there is land to do so. We’re recommending the government begin this delivery and expansion before 2030.”

The report finds building larger new schools can save up to $1.5 billion to 2036, compared with the government’s historical approach to delivering school infrastructure. Providing schools that communities need in this way will mean more funding is available for teaching, learning and student wellbeing.

Strong demand for kindergartens over the next 5 years, much of it driven by the government’s policy to increase learning opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds, will mean more investment is needed in the early education sector.

“The government can make the most of its funding in kindergarten infrastructure by focusing its investment in areas where private and not-for-profit providers are less likely to invest. Our research shows that the north, west and south-east growth areas of Melbourne would benefit the most from this investment,” Dr Spear said.

“We recommend the government immediately publish its priorities for kindergarten investment over the next 5 years. Sharing regularly updated information about the demand for and supply of kindergartens will reduce the likelihood of gaps in access and gives private and not-for-profit providers more confidence to invest.”

The report finds demand will also continue to be strong for the TAFE sector, especially in areas of skilled worker shortages like construction, health and energy.

“By 2030, TAFE campuses in Melbourne’s west, north and south-east growth areas will need 125,000 square metres of extra space to train more students,” Dr Spear said.

“By building more facilities on existing TAFE sites or adding a campus to an area with no TAFE facilities, more students can be trained. Many TAFE campuses have spare land and are near public transport, jobs and services that can attract more students.

“Places like the Werribee campuses of Victoria University and Gordon TAFE can work in partnership to expand and provide more teaching space for healthcare and trades. Melbourne’s northern growth suburbs have some of the worst access to TAFE courses. A new TAFE campus in the Craigieburn to Kalkallo corridor can bridge this gap.”

Dr Spear said planning for the pipeline of future kindergartens, schools and TAFE needed in the coming decade will deliver big benefits.

“Many things go into delivering students a high quality education - skilled and experienced teachers, student and parent engagement, a strong curriculum and quality education infrastructure are all factors. Access to education gives more Victorians the chance to learn new skills and get a good job,” Dr Spear said. “With long-term published plans, updated as areas change and grow, more Victorians can access quality education and learning facilities for life.”

Media enquiries:

Lydia Hanna, lydia.hanna@infrastructurevictoria.com.au, 0416 204 446

Madeleine Brennan, madeleine.brennan@infrastructurevictoria.com.au, 0402 715 577