Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Feature

Twenty Thousand Left Out in the Cold!

More than 20 000 VTAC applicants have been left without an offer as round one closes for the 2003 admissions.

By Abby Dinham - 22nd January 2003 - Back to News

More than 20 000 VTAC applicants have been left without an offer as round one closes for the 2003 admissions.

Statistics have shown nearly 85 000 potential students applied for a tertiary placement through VTAC, a 3.6 per cent increase from the 2002 total, (according to http://www.vtac.edu.au/library/library.html).

However, only 63 201 offers have been made in the first round, a figure which is comparably unchanged from last years total.

Federal MP for McMillan, Christian Zahra, has blamed the Federal government for the high number of applicants missing out. "It is disappointing that so many outstanding students are missing out on a place due to government under-funding".

Acting Education Minister, Peter McGauran, has called the accusation ‘irresponsible and misleading’, stating that under the Howard Government universities receive more funding than ever before.

Monash University in Gippsland made 543 first round offers, receiving close to 5000 preferences in total.

Public relations officer for Monash Gippsland, Justin Kohlman, estimates that around 85 per cent of applicants to Gippsland could get in, provided they have the appropriate qualifications. "Its difficult to work out the percentage of students being accepted per application as one application could have several preferences for the same institution" he said.

VTAC applicant, Chris Anders said he was ‘devastated’ by not being offered a place at Monash Gippsland in the 2003 admissions. "The government stimulated interest in these positions through advertisement but they haven’t increased the number of places", said Mr Anders.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Two weeks left to join Darren Chester's 2026 #lovegippsland Calendar Competition celebrating iconic Gippsland
  Two weeks remain to enter Darren Chester's 2026 #lovegippsland calendar competition, celebrating Gippsland's landscapes and talent. Entries close October 3, with winners featured among 30,000 distributed calendars showcasing 'Iconic Gippsland'.
• Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
  More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future.
• Danny O'Brien seeks explanation for South Gippsland entering fire danger period earlier than neighbouring regions
  Danny O'Brien has urged the Emergency Services Minister to explain why South Gippsland entered the Fire Danger Period early, leaving farmers concerned about limited time for essential burn-offs and cleanup.
• Have your say on key council plans, policies, and the future direction of South Gippsland through current engagement opportunities
  South Gippsland Shire Council invites community feedback on key draft plans, policies, and the 2026/27 Budget, with in-person engagement opportunities and "Coffee with a Councillor" sessions in October.
• Have your say on the 2027 transition to Pre-Prep and help shape early learning in South Gippsland
  South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from parents and carers to help shape how the Victorian government's 2027 Pre-Prep program is delivered locally to meet community needs.
• Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project begins, for safer, more accessible visitor experience from $9.6M shared investment
  Work has begun on the $9.6 million Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged upgrades to create a safer, more accessible, pedestrian-friendly destination while supporting businesses and preserving Cowes' vibrant visitor appeal.
• Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
  Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal.