Universal Tertiary Education: How dual-sector universities can challenge the binary divide between TAFE and higher education - the case of Victoria University of Technology

This article argues that the full realisation of lifelong learning, and hence the potential inherent in universal tertiary education, is hampered by the binary system of tertiary education in Australia, which separates tertiary education in higher and vocational sectors. This erects structural obstacles which are compounded by the accountability of each sector to different levels of government. Victoria University of Technology, a dual sector university has introduced a personalised access and study policy which offers personalised pathways to all who wish to enter tertiary education. The key features of this policy are examined, and consideration given to the extent to which the policy's full implementation is problematised by systematic arrangements deriving from the binary system and diffusion of accountability.