By JESSE GRAHAM
THE VICTORIAN Government has poured cold water on rumours that students would have to pay to change their preferences for Box Hill Institute (BHI) next year, after the provider was announced for the former Swinburne campus.
BHI, along with Deakin University and William Angliss Institute, was announced as the provider for the former Swinburne campus by the government on 19 October.
The provider then released its course offering for 2016 on Wednesday 28 October, dubbing the campus the “Lilydale Lakeside Community Education Precinct”.
A number of certificates and diplomas will be available at the campus from first semester next year, including Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a Diploma in Stage Make-Up and a Certificate IV in Business.
Bachelor of Early Childhood (Education and Care), Bachelor of Community Services and Bachelor of Biosecurity Science university courses are also available at the campus beginning next year.
But Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe raised the question of whether students would have to pay $98 to change their course preferences, and if the fee existed, whether the government would foot the bill.
A government spokesperson said that students would not have any costs to change their course preferences through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
“The Liberal Party needs to stop scaremongering Lilydale locals by claiming they’ll have to pay to change their preference to study there,” the spokesperson said.
The VTAC website also states there is no charge for changing preferences:
“There is no cost involved in changing your preferences. As long as you pay your course application processing fee, you can change your preferences as much as you like within the specified periods,” the website read.
The spokesperson said BHI would also be offering courses outside of VTAC, and students can apply directly.
BHI CEO Mr Gray said hospitality and tourism courses would be offered on site by William Angliss Institute.
“Courses in English as an additional language and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) will also be on offer, so that students can get the skills they need to pursue further study,” he said.
“We know that child care access can be a barrier for some parents, so we’ll also have child care places available to make it easier for students with young children to study at Lilydale Lakeside.”
Re-opening the campus following Swinburne’s closure in 2013 became a major policy platform for Victorian Labor in the lead-up to the 2014 State Election.
The campus will also host the Yarra Ranges Technical School, another election commitment, with Melba Support Services to remain on site.
For more information, and a full-list of classes, visit www.boxhill.edu.au/lilydale-lakeside-courses
