Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Australian dual-sector education providers are poised to play a critical role in the expansion of India’s education and skills sector, a new report by the Australia India Institute launched on the sidelines of Monday’s Australia-India Education and Skills Council meeting in New Delhi reveals.
New Frontiers for Australian Dual-Sector Education, produced by the Australia India Institute with support from the Victorian Institute of Technology, explores opportunities available for Australian dual-sector providers to partner with individual Indian states, highlighting how each state’s unique training needs can drive new opportunities for Australian dual-sector engagement.
Australia’s dual-sector education institutions, encompassing universities, TAFEs and private Registered Training Organisations, are globally recognised for aligning skills training with workforce demands, positioning them at the forefront of unfolding education opportunities in India as central and state government initiatives to promote industry-ready skills training emerge.
This report, released on the sidelines of Monday’s Education and Skills Council meeting co-chaired by Indian Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Indian Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Australian Minister for Education Jason Clare MP, Australian Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles MP and Australian Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill MP, focuses on the Indian states of Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Goa, highlighting promising areas of synergy and competitive advantage for Australian dual-sector education providers to develop partnerships with state governments.
Quote attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Hon. Andrew Giles MP
“This report confirms the critical role Australian dual-sector institutions can play in India’s skills and education landscape. Our nation’s experience in linking vocational education and training and higher education – especially through TAFE partnerships – positions us to support India’s efforts to build an industry-ready workforce.”
“Skills collaboration is central to any partnership we make. By working together on programs that integrate advanced skills training with higher education, Australia and India can prepare workforces for emerging sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.”
Quote attributable to Assistant Minister for International Education, Hon. Julian Hill MP
“India and Australia are close partners on research collaboration, cultural exchange and the delivery of world-class education and training, including transnational education.
“As this report outlines, significant opportunities exist for Australia’s excellent dual-sector institutions to partner with Indian states – as India’s demand for high-quality education closer to home continues to grow.”
Quote attributable to Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh
“India’s evolving and diverse skills training landscape and the opportunities it presents for Australian dual-sector institutions represents a critical area of growth for the bilateral relationship.
“This report highlights points of competitive advantage for Australian Institutions to collaborate with Indian state governments, with the vision of guiding Australian providers to build productive and sustainable partnerships, deepening education and skills collaborationbetween our two nations.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Institute of Technology (VIT) Founder and President Arjun Surapaneni
“The Victorian Institute of Technology (VIT) is working to build relationships with States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana.
“This report points to the potential positive outcomes that can be achieved in key sectors working with those States that are committed to education as a vital priority in the years ahead.”
Media Enquiries: Laura Hooper, Australia India Institute, Laura.Hooper@unimelb.edu.au