Education and training
Education and training give Victorians the skills they need for work and life. Infrastructure Victoria identifies where new kindergartens, schools and TAFEs are needed so more people can access quality learning.
Challenges
Victoria needs more kindergartens
By 2036, Victoria will need about 900 new kindergartens. This will support the government’s plan for more kindergarten hours for 3 and 4-year-olds. Without new facilities children could miss out on quality early learning. This can affect employment and future income and put pressure on health, welfare and other services.
Government schools need to grow
Government schools will need many more student places by 2036. Schools in some inner Melbourne areas and new suburbs are already running out of space. Meeting demand will require a mix of solutions. Expanding existing schools is often cheaper than building new ones. Adding relocatable buildings, new classrooms and building schools of different sizes must all be part of the plan.
TAFEs are running out of space
Victoria will need 1.4 million new workers by 2034, almost half will require vocational training. Skill shortages are increasing in trades, healthcare and the energy transition. But people in growth areas and regions often find it hard to get to a TAFE campus. By 2036, TAFEs will require 20% more teaching space. TAFEs in Melbourne’s growth areas need over 125,000 square metres of extra space. Combined, TAFEs in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley need around 50,000 square metres.
