New VET loans program passes Senate

The federal government's new vocational student loans program to replace the troubled VET FEE-HELP scheme has passed the Senate.

The package passed the upper house following a string of amendments on Wednesday night, which will now need to be approved by the lower house.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the government was working quickly to ensure the new program was in place as soon as possible, following a series of scandals involving rorting and dodgy operators under the existing system.

The Senate has requested changes to the legislation that are expected to be considered by the lower house on Thursday morning.

The amendments would exempt TAFE from the new caps on course loans and restrictions on course types.