Sydney-based The Australasian College Broadway has announced it is the first hair and beauty college to gain Australian Government approval as a VET FEE-HELP provider, joining a small handful of private colleges in Australia with this status.
VET FEE-HELP, an income contingent loan scheme similar to the university HECS system, allows students to study VET (vocational education and training) accredited diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certificate and graduate diploma hair and beauty therapy courses, and only pay their tuition loan once their income reaches the minimum threshold level for repayment.
Australasian College CEO, Ms. Maureen Houssein-Mustafa said: “We had to go through an extremely rigorous process in order to secure this facility for students who are interested in these thriving vocations. Now we’re receiving interest from students who couldn’t afford to study previously, or have been affected by the recent economic downturn and want to use the opportunity to study new skills, as well as those who are interested in a career change. It’s a wonderful door opener to an exciting and bright future.”
All courses offered under the VET FEE-HELP scheme provide a pathway to university qualifications. The Diploma of Hairdressing Salon Management can lead to a Bachelor of Business (Small Business and Entrepreneurship), while the Diploma of Beauty Therapy can be credited towards the Bachelor of Health Science (Dermal Therapies), equipping graduates to work alongside plastic surgeons and medical professionals.
Both of these degrees are via an allegiance with Victoria University.
Recently, the college achieved another success, being selected as a 2009 New South Wales Telstra Business Awards Finalist in the Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award category.