Unrealistic timeframes of the regulatory body
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulatory body for the vocational education and training (VET) sector. ASQA’s primary role is to protect students and ensure that they receive high-quality training from registered training organisations (RTOs).
ASQA has a range of service standards that it strives to meet, including:
- Providing clear and timely communication
- Making fair and transparent decisions
- Acting with integrity, professionalism and respect
- Being open and accountable
- Providing efficient and effective services.
However, recent reports have suggested that ASQA’s decision-making processes are often slow and bureaucratic, resulting in unrealistic timeframes for RTOs. This can create significant problems for RTOs, particularly small businesses, who may not have the resources to wait for a decision.
Addition to scope
ASQA’s unrealistic timeframes for adding new courses to its scope of registration are a major problem for providers.
The process for adding a new course to ASQA’s scope of registration is needlessly complicated and takes far too long. It can often take up to 6 months for ASQA to process an application, during which time the provider is unable to offer the course.
This is a major problem for providers, as it limits their ability to respond to market demand and offer new courses in a timely manner. It also puts them at a competitive disadvantage compared to other providers who are not subject to the same delays.
ASQA needs to streamline its process for adding new courses to its scope of registration, and reduce the timeframe to a matter of weeks, not months. This would allow providers to be more responsive to market demand and offer new courses in a timely manner.
It would also level the playing field with other providers who are not subject to the same delays.
ASQA’s slow decision-making process is a major problem for the VET sector. It is essential that ASQA improves its processes so that RTOs can continue to provide high-quality training to students.
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25 April, 2022
How ASQA assess the RTO registration renewal
ASQA is responsible for the assessment and registration of RTOs. ASQA must be satisfied that an RTO is meeting the requirements of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs 2015) for its registration to be renewed. ASQA takes a risk-management approach when they evaluate registration renewal applications. They use a structured process to assess applications […]
3 years ago
22 May, 2022
A draft model for self-assurance for training organisations
ASQA has developed a draft model for self-assurance for training organisations. The purpose of this model is to provide a framework within which training organisations can develop and operate their own quality assurance systems. The model sets out the key elements of an effective quality assurance system and includes guidance on how these elements can […]
3 years ago
12 June, 2022
Unrealistic timeframes of the regulatory body
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulatory body for the vocational education and training (VET) sector. ASQA’s primary role is to protect students and ensure that they receive high-quality training from registered training organisations (RTOs). ASQA has a range of service standards that it strives to meet, including: Providing clear and timely […]
3 years ago
12 June, 2022
ASQA’s model for self-assurance and reality
ASQA has published a new model for self-assurance that providers can use to improve their practices. The new model should have set out the requirements for an effective self-assurance system and provided guidance on how providers can develop and implement such a system. However, what we can find online after extensive consultation and engagement that […]
3 years ago
12 June, 2022
The disadvantages of ASQA not following ISO auditing management systems
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulator for the vocational education and training (VET) sector. ASQA is responsible for ensuring that all VET providers in Australia meet the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). However, ASQA does not follow an international ISO audit and administration model, which could lead to problems with […]
3 years ago
12 June, 2022
How trainers and assessors keep a training organisation compliant.
Organisations face many compliance risks, and a key part of managing these risks is ensuring that learners receive quality training according to the policies and procedures of the training organisation and set standards, guidelines and regulations set by the regulatory body and Australian Government. This is where trainers play a vital role in maintaining compliance […]
3 years ago
27 June, 2022
Set boundaries, establish guidelines, and work within them.
Organisations providing training services have a responsibility to ensure that their activities are carried out in a manner that is compliant with the expectations of the relevant regulatory bodies. This includes setting boundaries and establishing guidelines for staff and clients. As a training organisation, it’s important to set boundaries and establish guidelines. This will help […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
What to do when legislation changes.
When a new law or regulation is enacted that affects the operation of training organisations in Australia, it is important to take steps to ensure compliance. Depending on the nature of the change, this may involve modifying existing policies and procedures, developing new ones, or both. There are a number of ways to stay up-to-date […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
An ASQA initiative called Pathways and Perspectives has been launched
The excellent initiatives that ASQA is taking to deliver information to the VET and RTO sectors are worthy of appreciation. They have recently begun a project called Pathways and Perspective, which is an effective technique of informing and communicating with the VET industry. The community is provided with facts, insights, and noteworthy stories on the […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
A database of cheating websites has been updated through intelligence sharing.
TEQSA shared updated on information on suspected academic cheating service websites with Australia’s higher education sector 24 June 2022. A database of 2,333 suspected commercial academic cheating service websites has been updated to include intelligence gathered by TEQSA staff. This globally accessible database includes 579 sites specifically targeting students at Australian higher education institutions. The […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
ASQA’s as a national training package assurance body
As part of the transition to the new arrangements, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) will soon replace the assurance function of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). To ensure that students, employers, governments, and the community are confident in the integrity of national qualifications issued by the VET sector, the function will establish […]
2 years ago
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Sukh Sandhu
Chief Executive Officer
Sukh has been working in the VET and Higher Education Industry for over 20 years. In this time, he has held several roles with RTO’s including CEO roles for International Colleges and National Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager roles for several RTO’s, TAFE’s and Universities. Sukh has also worked for ASQA as a Business Systems Project Official.
Sukh has had extensive project management experience in risk management, compliance, administration and as a training consultant. He has extensive knowledge in government compliance standards and has participated in nearly one hundred audits across Australia and provided consultancy advice regarding ASQA/VRQA, TEQSA, ACPET, DET-HESG, VQF/Higher Education, ELICOS, NEAS, ANMAC, AHPRA, CRICOS, ESOS and ISO.
Sukh is a member of several independent professional organisations and government bodies including, ACPET, VELG, ACS, AITD, MARA, MIA, ISANA, APEX, IEEE, The Internet Society (Global Member), AISIP, IAMOT, ACM, OISV, APACALL, IWA, Eta Kappa Nu, EDSIG and several others.