National VET regulation

What has changed?

The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 has established a new approach to national regulation of the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia.

While the approach is new, most of the regulatory requirements have not changed at all.

Part of the new approach is the creation of a national regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), which is responsible for registering training organisations and accrediting courses.

If a training organisation operates (or intends to operate) in a participating jurisdiction, or otherwise qualifies under the national scheme, ASQA will now be the body responsible for that organisation’s registration and for accrediting its courses.

ASQA will undertake its role by assessing relevant organisations against the conditions of registration found in the new national legislation, the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (in Part 2, Division 1, sections 21–30).

One of the core conditions of registration is that relevant applicants and RTOs comply with the requirements set out in the new VET Quality Framework.

The Act also provides for Standards for VET Accredited Courses, which are in addition to the VET Quality Framework.

When will the changes come into effect?

While transition for registration is occurring in several stages, the VET Quality Framework came into effect from 1 July 2011 for all relevant applicants/registered RTOs operating in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, and those RTOs in Victoria and Western Australia who are transferring to ASQA. The VET Quality Framework now also applies for RTOs in Tasmania and South Australia.

RTOs operating solely in Victoria and Western Australia, but that are also registered on CRICOS, must now comply with the VET Quality Framework.

Why are the changes necessary?

The changes to the VET system are part of the commitment of the Council of Australian Governments to improve the quality and consistency of VET training in Australia.

The primary aim of the changes is to provide greater national consistency and more attention to the way providers are registered, courses are accredited and the system's quality is monitored.

To minimise the impact on applicants and RTOs, the new approach builds on existing national quality and consistency frameworks in the VET sector.

Importantly, through the application of a uniform VET Quality Framework and uniform accreditation mechanisms, industries throughout Australia can have greater confidence in the quality and consistency of nationally recognised VET qualifications. They can therefore also have greater confidence in the skills and abilities of VET graduates.

By introducing a national regulator and by giving VET standards and requirements a strong legislative base, there will also be more consistency in the application of sanctions. The treatment of providers who do not meet these standards and requirements will also become more consistent across Australia.

The establishment of ASQA also provides a clear line of accountability and responsibility for the quality of VET throughout Australia, and ensures there is a coordinated response to emerging quality issues in the sector.