Victorian TAFE free-for-all – is it beginning of another “Crisis”?
11 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Victorian TAFE free-for-all – is it beginning of another “Crisis”?

From January 2019, the Victorian Government will cover the cost of 30 TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses. The free courses run for up to two years and include accounting, agriculture, construction, plumbing, engineering and nursing. The free TAFE courses Non-apprenticeship courses Apprenticeship pathway courses Accounting, Certificate IV/Diploma/Advanced Diploma Automotive Air Conditioning Technology, Certificate II Ageing Support, Certificate IV Automotive Body Repair Technology, Certificate II Agriculture, Certificate II/III/IV […]

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India to be top study destination in two years
11 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

India to be top study destination in two years

The Indian government has promised fee waivers to foreign students choosing India as their study destination as part of a campaign that has a commitment to welcome 1 million inbound students. Following the launch of the Study in India web portal on April 18, which will be a one stop solution for international students, the government has […]

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The VET Sector Newsletter – Edition 1, April 2018
11 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

The VET Sector Newsletter – Edition 1, April 2018

The official Newsletter from Compliance and Quality Assurance (CAQA) OUR FIRST NEWSLETTER By Anna Haranas Welcome to The VET Sector, our official newsletter for the Australian VET education and training sector. This monthly publication is an initiative of the team at Compliance And Quality Assurance (CAQA). The newsletter will be a vehicle for news and […]

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CEO Declaration
11 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

CEO Declaration

Annual declaration on compliance Have you submitted your Annual Declaration on Compliance? Are you confident that your RTO meets current compliance requirements with RTO standards? Or do you need help? All Australian Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are required to submit an annual declaration on compliance with the RTO standards applicable to their organisation on or […]

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Current VET sector a disgrace: CEDA
11 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Current VET sector a disgrace: CEDA

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) is calling for a national review of the VET sector, claiming the area has been “significantly weakened” by recent scandals and a lack of focus from the government. CEDA has put forth a number of recommendations to strengthen the sector, hoping the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) will consider […]

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Fake universities may have produced bogus lawyers and doctors in UK
11 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Fake universities may have produced bogus lawyers and doctors in UK

More than 30 fake UK universities have been shut down in the past year as concern grows about students being mis-sold fraudulent degrees. The Law Society Gazette reports that 32 fake academic institutions were closed by the government over the past year; 25 of them claimed to be in the UK but were found to […]

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VET Industry News 11-Sep-2018
11 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

VET Industry News 11-Sep-2018

New course accreditation application lodgement fee On 6 July 2018, ASQA introduced an application lodgement fee of $500 for all initial and renewal applications submitted for course accreditation by ASQA. At time of lodgement, a completeness check of the application will be conducted to review: Sufficiency of evidence demonstrating industry support Sufficiency of evidence demonstrating […]

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How does quality assurance differ from compliance (Part 3)
10 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

How does quality assurance differ from compliance (Part 3)

In this third and final part of our “compliance and quality assurance,” articles, we are continuing to discuss compliance and quality assurance requirements, standards, expectations and the differences between them.  How does quality assurance differ from compliance? It can be overwhelming trying to keep track of all your organisation’s compliance obligations. That’s why many businesses […]

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Different phases of assessment and learner validation processes (Part 1)
10 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Different phases of assessment and learner validation processes (Part 1)

In this article, we will discuss different phases of validation processes that you should be following in your RTO to ensure you meet regulatory requirements and industry expectations. Validation of RTO assessment resources You must validate all your assessment resources to ensure they meet the principles of assessment, rules of evidence, training package requirements, regulatory […]

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Assessment issues that may impact your RTO audit (Part 1)
10 September, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Assessment issues that may impact your RTO audit (Part 1)

It is important to look into ASQAs 2017 report that shows: Around 72% of RTOs FAIL audit on Assessment Approximately 50% of those FAIL to be able to rectify their assessment tools on resubmission under the OLD audit mode According to the new audit model: There may be NO opportunity to rectify critical non-compliances Initial […]

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ASQA Regulatory strategy 2016–17 and ASQA’s Regulatory Risk Framework
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

ASQA Regulatory strategy 2016–17 and ASQA’s Regulatory Risk Framework

ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority), VET regulator has recently released its regulatory strategy for 2016-2017.  ASQA’s Regulatory Risk Framework, which is part of the published Regulatory Strategy outlines how ASQA fulfils its responsibility by managing risk on two levels: Operational (provider risk), and Strategic (systemic risk)   Provider risk continues to be a key focus […]

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Heavy penalty for bogus qualification
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Heavy penalty for bogus qualification

A former trainer has been ordered to pay $120,000 for providing her employer with 11 bogus vocational education and training (VET) qualifications, providing another two bogus qualifications to a co-worker and submitting false qualifications to the national regulator as proof of her competency. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) successfully obtained declarations from the Federal […]

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Vocational education and training courses behind significant drop of crime rate.
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Vocational education and training courses behind significant drop of crime rate.

Vocational education and training courses have been linked to a significant drop in Victoria’s crime rates by University of Melbourne economists. They believe the benefits of the controversial education reforms have been overlooked. “What has been missing is that these reforms did increase access to publicly funded training and that has had positive flow on […]

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National Strategy for International Education 2025
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

National Strategy for International Education 2025

Australia’s first National Strategy for International Education 2025 sets out a 10-year plan for developing Australia’s role as a global leader in education, training and research. Pillar 1 Strengthening the fundamentals Goal 1: Building on a world-class education, training and research system Goal 2: Delivering the best possible student experience Goal 3: Providing effective quality […]

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Ombudsman for dodgy colleges
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Ombudsman for dodgy colleges

Dozens of Victorian education providers will be scrutinised by a new investigation unit looking into dodgy training courses across the state. The new squad, headed by a former Victorian Ombudsman investigator, will conduct detailed investigations into “unscrupulous training providers”, and closely examine the quality of courses on offer. The team is currently focusing on online […]

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‘Unscrupulous training providers’ to be investigated
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

‘Unscrupulous training providers’ to be investigated

The Andrews Labor Government is upping the pressure on rogue training providers with a new investigations unit in the Department of Education and Training to put them under the microscope. Dodgy training courses in Victoria will soon be scrutinised by a new investigation led by a former Victorian Ombudsman investigator. The crack squad, headed by […]

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Higher education standards framework (threshold standards) 2015
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Higher education standards framework (threshold standards) 2015

TEQSA registers and evaluates the performance of higher education providers against the Higher Education Standards Framework, specifically, the Threshold Standards. All providers must meet the Threshold Standards in order to enter and remain within Australia’s higher education system. The Standards are available online. The Higher Education Standards Panel (the Panel) was established to provide independent advice to […]

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The 2016-17 Skilled Occupations List (SOL)
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

The 2016-17 Skilled Occupations List (SOL)

2016-17 Skilled Occupations List (SOL) has been registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. The review of the SOL was conducted by the Department of Education and Training. The SOL identifies occupations that would benefit from independent skilled migration for the purpose of meeting the medium […]

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Private students to be included in national student survey
27 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

Private students to be included in national student survey

For the first time, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research’s (NCVER), major survey of VET students will include fee-paying students at private colleges. Over coming weeks around 220,000 students will be asked about their recent training experience as part of the Student Outcomes Survey. NCVER Managing Director Dr Craig Fowler said that, to date, […]

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ASQA News 14-Aug-2018
14 August, 2018

Sukh Sandhu

ASQA News 14-Aug-2018

ASQA given additional powers to seek civil penalties and issue infringement notices  On 12 July 2018, the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC made the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Regulations 2018(NVR Regulation Amendment 2018). The NVR Regulation Amendment 2018 allows ASQA to seek civil penalties for breaches of the […]

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