Learning for Life report shows anticipated demand for education builds in Victoria 

Victoria will need around 900 new kindergartens, up to 60 new government schools and 20 per cent more teaching space for TAFE over the next decade, a new report from Infrastructure Victoria has shown. 

As the state grows, and in line with Best Start, Best Life reforms, private and not-for-profit providers will be able to meet some but not all this demand. By focusing its investment where it is needed most, report authors argue, the Victorian Government can deliver the number of kindergartens and schools required in the future.

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.

Strong demand for kindergartens over the next five years, much of it driven by the government’s policy to increase learning opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds, will drive investment in the early education sector, Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Officer Dr Jonathan Spear said.

“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.” 

“We recommend the government immediately publish their priorities for kindergarten investment over the next 5 years,” he added. 

“Sharing regularly updated information about the demand for and supply of kindergartens will reduce the likelihood of gaps in access and give 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 early childhood education, 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.

Infrastructure Victoria made four key recommendations for the Victorian Government to invest in education infrastructure, namely: 

• Facilitate markets for private and not-for-profit investment in kindergarten infrastructure. Share regularly updated information about the demand for and supply of kindergarten places.

• Immediately publish priorities for government investment over the next 5 years to deliver kindergarten in communities that will have the greatest need in 2036.

• Identify schools to expand and confirm areas that will need new schools. By 2030, fund expansions of existing schools and begin delivery of 35 to 60 new schools. Minimise costs by expanding the built capacity of existing schools and building larger new schools.

• By 2030, expand TAFE campuses in Melbourne’s west, north and south-east growth areas, and some large regional centres, to train more students to fill skills gaps, especially in construction, energy and health.

Access the report here.