In recent years there has been a wave of scandals that has seen some private training colleges shut down and others go out of business. But it's the students that often pay the real price, left with no qualifications and student debt. #abc730 @FarrellPF #VETFEE
@FarrellPF Three years ago Bianca Hackett enrolled in a childcare course at Sage Institute in Brisbane. Within months the college collapsed. #abc730 #VETFEEHELP
@FarrellPF She was left with an $18,000 VET FEE-HELP debt and she couldn’t take out a further loan to start again at another college. “With the #VETFEEHELP debt, it's much like a HECS debt. I can't take out the same loan twice.” #abc730
@FarrellPF The #VETFEEHELP scheme was scrapped in 2017 after heavy criticism but Bianca’s debt remained. #abc730
@FarrellPF “There really was a lack of rules or protections built into this scheme, which meant that private providers or marketers even could sign students out and get paid straight away just for the enrolment.” @gerardbrody, @consumer_action. #abc730 #VETFEEHELP
@FarrellPF @gerardbrody @consumer_action Recently Bianca learnt she could be eligible to have her debt waived if she lodged a complaint with the VET ombudsman. “It was resolved last week, and they cancelled the debt.” #abc730 #VETFEEHELP
@FarrellPF @gerardbrody @consumer_action This year the Federal government wiped almost $500 million in bad debts accumulated by 36,00 students under the #VETFEEHELP scheme. #abc730
@FarrellPF @gerardbrody @consumer_action .@consumer_action believes there are many more students left with debts they shouldn’t owe. “There are still 7000 outstanding complaints at the student loans ombudsman, and many of those will ultimately resolve in debt being waived.” @gerardbrody #abc730 #VETFEEHELP
