AEU TAFE vice president Gillian Robertson recently visited East Gippsland TAFE campus in Sale to discuss with teachers the changes to TAFE fees, which the union claims will see fees triple for many government supported places, and the low income concession rate abolished.

For example, a government supported Diploma of Community and Welfare Studies will rise from $877 to $2500 by 2012.

Those on concession will have their fees increase from $55 to $2500.

The State Government has also ruled only people who "upskill'', or take progressively more advanced qualifications, will be eligible for support.

Those who already have a degree or diploma will be forced to pay the full-cost of further training, which could be more than $10,000.

A HELP style loan system is being introduced to help students pay their debts. The changes were introduced on July 1 and there are plans to conduct a review early next year.

Ms Robertson said she spoke with teachers from the campuses in Sale, Bairnsdale and teachers at Fulham prison and all were fearful of the impact these changes could have on Gippsland students.

"These massive fee hikes will keep many people out of TAFE,'' she said.

"TAFE has always been a safety net of training and education for parents, they knew they could always afford to get their kid into TAFE if they couldn't afford other higher education.

"For students, these changes mean debt and a massive barrier to study.

"In a time of economic stresses this decision by the Government beggars belief.''

Ms Robertson said she was concerned the fee increases could really hit regional TAFE's such as East Gippsland hard.

"Without the critical mass of students, courses could be cancelled because people won't be able to afford to do them,'' she said.

"That's beyond a shame, it's a disgrace.

The AEU has launched a campaign against the changes and is calling on the State Government to reverse its decision.

"We have really great TAFE's in Gippsland, why is the Government not investing in them?'' she said.

To learn more about the AEU campaign visit http://www.tafe4all.org.au.