VET News

Updates from the National VET Regulator

Considering applying to become a registered training organisation (RTO)? Start here

As the national regulator, ASQA aims to ensure that registration is granted only to providers that have adequate resources and that will genuinely strive to deliver quality training outcomes for students.

To support the quality of Australia’s vocational education and training sector, ASQA applies close scrutiny to any person or organisation seeking to enter the training market. Starting 1 July 2018, ASQA now applies additional scrutiny to prospective training organisations and English language course providers to ensure they are adequately resourced and have a genuine interest in providing quality training and assessment.

This short video explains the revised process for initial registration as an RTO or an English-language course provider with ASQA: Becoming an RTO (animated video).  

More information on the updated requirements for initial registration with ASQA.

ASQA is simplifying its fees and charges to provide cost reductions for those providers that demonstrate high levels of compliance.

ASQA undertook a public consultation on a ‘Cost recovery implementation statement’ outlining the proposed fees and charges in August and September 2017. The consultation revealed a strong positive response from providers and stakeholders, with more than 80 percent of responses indicating support for the proposed fees and charges.

Following the consultation, ASQA reviewed the feedback and made minor adjustments to the proposed fees and charges.

ASQA’s revised fees and charges have now been approved and will commence on 6 July 2018.

What is changing?

From 6 July 2018 ASQA’s fees and charges will:

• reduce many fees and charges from the current rates, reflecting efficiencies realised through ASQA’s upgraded business systems and improved processes
• provide cost reductions for providers that demonstrate high levels of compliance with their regulatory obligations , including the requirements of the VET Quality Framework
• only impose assessment fees in certain cases (for example, when a registered training organisation seeks to renew its registration, charges for the additional cost of assessment will only be imposed on those providers that require an audit)
• align with ASQA’s risk-based approach to regulation, so that providers that require a greater level of regulatory attention and oversight are more likely to pay higher costs for their regulation.

How can I find out more?

ASQA has published a range of resources explaining how these fees and charges will affect your RTO.

Guide to ASQA fees and charges 2018-19 (PDF)  

The guide provides a full list of all RTO registration, CRICOS registration, course accreditation, audit, and annual registration fees and charges.

Cost recovery implementation statement (CRIS) (PDF)

The CRIS explains how ASQA implements cost recovery for regulation of the vocational education and training (VET) sector. This document sets out how each of ASQA’s fees and charges is determined.

Issuance of false qualifications leads to $31,400 penalty

A Queensland man who misled three individuals into providing payment for false qualifications has been ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty of $31,400.

On 5 July 2018, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) successfully obtained a declaration from the Federal Court that Scott Andrew Jones created false qualifications concerning "Engineering—Fabrication Trade", in the names of three different people, and provided those documents for a fee.

The court found that Mr Jones falsely represented to these individuals that each qualification was a legitimate vocational education and training (VET) qualification issued by a registered training organisation (RTO).

ASQA Chief Commissioner Mark Paterson said ASQA began investigating Mr Jones following a complaint.

“The investigation identified that Mr Jones had offered to assist work colleagues by enrolling them with TAFE Queensland to seek recognition of prior learning for engineering qualifications. Mr Jones took money from these individuals and then copied a legitimate qualification in order to issue documentation, which he purported to be from TAFE Queensland, to his colleagues.  

As a result of its investigation, ASQA commenced a civil prosecution against Mr Jones.

“As the national regulator for VET, ASQA understands the importance of safeguarding the reputation of Australia’s nationally recognised qualifications.

“ASQA uses the full range of powers available to pursue those who fabricate qualifications, in order to protect learners and ensure the qualifications they are issued are authentic,” Mr Paterson said.

“False VET qualifications pose a genuine risk to the community, by misrepresenting the holders’ knowledge and skills to potential employers.

“This type of fraudulent documentation has the potential to result in harm to the individuals holding the documentation, as well as to members of the public,” Mr Paterson said.

The Federal Court also ordered Mr Jones to pay ASQA’s costs in the agreed sum $55,000.

For more information, you can view the original announcements on the ASQA website:

• Applying for RTO status
• ASQA’s revised fees and charges
• Penalty for false qualifications

Date posted Jul 11, 2018