Full description This function is concerned with the provision and administration of all forms of post-secondary education not provided by a University or Technical and Further Education (TAFE) provider. Providers of this type of education included colleges of advanced education and institutes of technology. The provision of post-secondary education in Victoria was originally the responsibility of the Education Department (VA 714). Prior to 1965, institutions offering non-university tertiary education in Victoria were either administered and staffed directly by the Education Department, or were controlled by their own Council, employed their own staff and awarded their own degrees. In 1965, the Victoria Institute of Colleges was established with the responsibility for controlling non-university tertiary education in Victoria. Affiliation of the Institute was by application to or invitation from the Institute. The Institute was governed by a Council; Members represented Parliament, the tertiary sector in general, the Department of Education, the academic staff of the affiliated colleges, the Victorian universities, commerce and industry, the principals of the affiliated colleges, graduates of the Institute, students of the affiliated colleges and the State College Victoria. The functions of the Institute were to coordinate and accredit tertiary education providers in Victoria (other than universities), establish new tertiary education providers (other than universities) and maintain links and support across all tertiary education providers in Victoria (other than universities). The Institute reported directly to the Minister for Education. In 1978, under the provisions of the Post Secondary Education Act 1978, the Institute no longer reported directly to the Governor in Council or the Minister for Education but to the newly formed Victorian Post-Secondary Education Commission (VA 721). The Institute was formally abolished in 1980 and was succeeded by the Post-Secondary Education Commission (VPSEC) under the provisions of the Post Secondary Education (Amendment) Act 1980. VPSEC gained responsibility for all functions undertaken by the Victoria Institute of Colleges and its primary functions were to provide advice to the Minister for Education on all matters relating to higher education; recommend the establishment of new post secondary education institutions and assess courses for accreditation, reaccreditation, and the making of awards. Research note: The consolidation of all boards with responsibility for vocational education and training into the State Training Board in 1987 meant that all types of education and training were now the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Training (VA 1112), rather than being split between the Ministry and the Department of Labour (VA 2777). This change in function is reflected in the change in function title in the PROV system. Researchers interested in records prior to 1987 should see this function and associated functions and agencies (particularly VF 315 education (technical/vocational) to c. 1987; and VF 319 education (university) to c. 1987). These functions were consolidated to form VF 318 education (tertiary) post c. 1987, which includes all forms of tertiary education and training post-1987.
Data time period: 1836 to 2013