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The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has cancelled the registration of Phytodermal Institute of Beauty, trading as Southern Academy RTO 40542. The cancellation took effect from 1 July 2025 and has been published on the National Register.

ASQA’s decision to cancel the registration was based on findings that Southern Academy did not meet the conditions of registration; had issued qualifications and/or statements of attainment without adequate assessment; and/or did not ensure impacted individuals had successfully satisfied all requirements prior to issuing VET certification.

Given the significant issues identified and the potential safety risks to impacted individuals, others in the workplace, and some of the most vulnerable members of the community, urgent action is required by ASQA to consider the legitimacy of the qualifications and/or statements of attainment issued by Southern Academy.

ASQA is now commencing a process to issue notices of intent to cancel qualifications and/or statements of attainment issued by Southern Academy between 1 January 2022 and 1 July 2025.

The Notice of Intent invites impacted individuals to provide a written response no later than 11:59pm (AEDT) on the date specified in the notice. If you received a Notice of Intent, you should respond by the date in the notice.

The following qualifications and/or statements of attainment issued by Southern Academy during the period 1 January 2022 to 1 July 2025 have been affected:

 

Code Title
BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
CHC50321  Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention
CHC50421  Diploma of Youth Work
CHC53315  Diploma of Mental Health
CHC62015  Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
CPP20521  Certificate II in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing
CPP30119  Certificate III in Urban Pest Management
CPP41519  Certificate IV in Security Risk Analysis
CPP50619  Diploma of Security Risk Management
HLT43015  Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
HLT43021  Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
BSB50320  Diploma of Human Resource Management
BSB60120  Advanced Diploma of Business
BSB80120  Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)
CPP40421  Certificate IV in Cleaning
CPP41419  Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
CPP51122  Diploma of Property (Agency Management)
FNS40222  Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
FNS50322  Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
HLT52021  Diploma of Remedial Massage
SHB30115  Certificate III in Beauty Services
SHB30315  Certificate III in Nail Technology
SHB30416  Certificate III in Hairdressing
SHB30516  Certificate III in Barbering
SHB40115  Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
SHB40121  Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
SHB50115  Diploma of Beauty Therapy
SHB50121  Diploma of Beauty Therapy
SHB50216  Diploma of Salon Management
SHB60118  Advanced Diploma of Intense Pulsed Light and Laser for Hair Reduction
SIS30321  Certificate III in Fitness
SIS40221  Certificate IV in Fitness
SIT30821  Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

 

Unit Code  Unit Name
AHCCHM304  Transport and store chemicals
AHCCHM307  Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
AHCPMG312  Apply poison baits for vertebrate pest control in rural and environmental landscapes
BSBESB304  Determine resource requirements for new business ventures
BSBESB401  Research and develop business plans
BSBESB402  Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
BSBESB403  Plan finances for new business ventures
BSBESB404  Market new business ventures
BSBESB406  Establish operational strategies and procedures for new business ventures
BSBESB407  Manage finances for new business ventures
BSBFIN501  Manage budgets and financial plans
BSBHRM415  Coordinate recruitment and onboarding
BSBHRM528  Coordinate remuneration and employee benefits
BSBINN301  Promote innovation in a team environment
BSBMED301  Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
BSBMGT401  Show leadership in the workplace
BSBMGT406  Plan and monitor continuous improvement
BSBOPS203  Deliver a service to customers
BSBSMB304  Determine resource requirements for the micro business
BSBSMB403  Market the small business
BSBSMB404  Undertake small business planning
BSBSUS211  Participate in sustainable work practices
BSBTWK301  Use inclusive work practices
BSBWHS515  Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents
BSBWOR502  Lead and manage team effectiveness
CHCCOM005  Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001  Work with diverse people
CHCLEG003  Manage legal and ethical compliance
CHCPRT025  Identify and report children and young people at risk
CPPCLO4107  Remediate mould contaminated structures and contents
CPPCMN3004  Respond to enquiries and complaints
CPPFES2020  Conduct routine inspection and testing of fire extinguishers and fire blankets
CPPFES2026  Inspect and test emergency and exit lighting systems
CPPFES2029  Conduct functional tests on fire detection, warning and intercommunication devices
CPPFES2035  Identify, inspect and test fire and smoke doors
CPPFES2037  Inspect and test fire hydrant systems
CPPFES2039  Identify, inspect and test passive fire and smoke containment products and systems
CPPFES2047  Inspect and test control and indicating equipment
CPPREP4001  Prepare for professional practice in real estate
CPPREP4201  Appraise commercial property
CPPREP4202  Establish and maintain vendor and lessor relationships and networks
CPPREP4203  Complete commercial property sale
CPPREP4204  Establish commercial property lease
CPPREP4233  Manage lessee relationships - commercial
CPPREP4235  End commercial property lease
CPPREP4261  Appraise business for sale
CPPREP4264  Manage the sales process in business broking
CPPREP4503  Present at hearings in real estate
CPPREP4504  Deliver presentations to clients in real estate
CPPREP5001  Manage compliance in the property industry
CPPREP5002  Establish and monitor property industry trust account management practices
CPPREP5003  Manage ethical practice in the property industry
CPPREP5004  Manage a safe workplace in the property industry
CPPREP5005  Manage teams in the property industry
CPPREP5006  Manage operational finances in the property industry
CPPREP5008  Market the property agency
CPPREP5010  Manage customer service activities in the property industry
CPPSEC4020  Advise on advanced technology security systems to meet client needs
CPPSEC5003  Assess security risk management options
CPPSEC5004  Develop security risk management plans
CPPUPM3005  Manage pests without applying pesticides
CPPUPM3006  Manage pests by applying pesticides
CPPUPM3008  Inspect for and report on timber pests
CPPUPM3010  Control timber pests
CPPUPM3017  Maintain, service and repair pest management equipment
CPPUPM3018  Maintain equipment and pesticide storage area in pest management vehicles
CPPUPM3042  Install termite management systems
CPPUPM4003  Assess and advise on pest management options for sensitive
CPPUPM4005  Implement and monitor pest management plans for sensitive operations
HLTAAP001  Recognise healthy body systems
HLTAAP002  Confirm physical health status
HLTAHA010  Assist with the development and maintenance of client functional status
HLTAHA012  Support the development of speech and communication skills
HLTAHA013  Provide support in dysphagia management
HLTAHA014  Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems
HLTAHA016  Support the fitting of assistive equipment
HLTAID009  Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
HLTAID010  Provide basic emergency life support
HLTAID011  Provide First Aid
HLTINF005  Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments
HLTWHS002  Follow safe work practices for direct client care
HLTWHS005  Conduct manual tasks safely
SHBBBOS001  Apply cosmetic tanning products
SHBBBOS002  Provide body massages
SHBBBOS003  Provide body treatments
SHBBBOS008  Provide body massages
SHBBBOS009  Provide aromatherapy massages
SHBBBOS010  Use reflexology relaxation techniques in beauty treatments
SHBBCCS001  Advise on beauty products and services
SHBBCCS002  Prepare personalised aromatic plant oil blends for beauty treatments
SHBBCCS005  Advise on beauty products and services
SHBBFAS001  Provide lash and brow services
SHBBFAS002  Provide facial treatments and skin care recommendations
SHBBFAS003  Provide specialised facial treatments
SHBBFAS004  Provide lash and brow services
SHBBFAS005  Provide facial treatments and skin care recommendations
SHBBFAS006  Provide specialised facial treatments
SHBBHRS001  Provide waxing services
SHBBHRS002  Provide female intimate waxing services
SHBBHRS004  Provide hair reduction treatments using electrical currents
SHBBHRS005  Identify and control safety risks for intense pulsed light and laser hair reduction treatments
SHBBHRS009  Provide intense pulsed light hair reduction treatments
SHBBHRS010  Provide waxing services
SHBBHRS011  Provide female intimate waxing services
SHBBINF001  Maintain infection control standards
SHBBINF002  Maintain infection control standards
SHBBMUP001  Apply eyelash extensions
SHBBMUP002  Design and apply make-up
SHBBMUP003  Design and apply make-up for photography
SHBBMUP004  Design and apply remedial camouflage make-up
SHBBMUP008  Apply eyelash extensions
SHBBMUP009  Design and apply make-up
SHBBNLS001  Provide manicure and pedicare services
SHBBNLS004  Apply nail art
SHBBNLS007  Provide manicure and pedicare services
SHBBNLS011  Use electric file equipment for nail services
SHBBRES001  Research and apply beauty industry information
SHBBRES003  Research and apply beauty industry information
SHBBSKS001  Pierce ear lobes
SHBBSKS002  Provide diathermy treatments
SHBBSKS003  Design and provide cosmetic tattooing
SHBBSKS004  Provide upper body piercings
SHBBSKS005  Provide micro-dermabrasion treatments
SHBBSPA007  Provide stone therapy massages
SHBBSSC001  Incorporate knowledge of skin structure and functions into beauty therapy
SHBBSSC002  Incorporate knowledge of body structures and functions into beauty therapy
SHBHCCS001  Plan hair services for special events
SHBHIND002  Research and use hairdressing industry information
SHBHREF002  Straighten and relax hair with chemical treatments
SHBXCCS001  Conduct salon financial transactions
SHBXCCS002  Provide salon services to clients
SHBXCCS005  Maintain health and wellbeing in a personal services setting
SHBXCCS006  Promote healthy nutritional options in a beauty therapy context
SHBXCCS007  Conduct salon financial transactions
SHBXCCS008  Provide salon services to clients
SHBXIND001  Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment
SHBXIND003  Comply with organisational requirements within a personal services environment
SHBXWHS001  Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices
SHBXWHS003  Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices
SIRRMER001  Produce visual merchandise displays
SIRXOSM002  Maintain ethical and professional standards when using social media and online platforms
SIRXSLS001  Sell to the retail customer
SITXFSA005  Use hygienic practices for food safety
SITXFSA006  Participate in safe food handling practices

 

Notices to impacted individuals

Respond to a Notice of Intent

The response period has now closed.

If you did not receive a Notice of Intent and think your qualification might be impacted, please contact ASQA on 1300 701 801 (dial +61 3 8613 3910 from outside Australia).

FAQs

The RTO Student Management System has a record of you being enrolled in a course and being issued a qualification and/or statement of attainment during the period of time referenced in the notice.

ASQA has not made a decision about your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment yet. 

The Notice of Intent is the first step in the process to consider the validity of your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment. The notice advises you that ASQA considers the qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment issued to you by the RTO should be cancelled for the reasons outlined in the notice. 

You now have an opportunity to tell ASQA why your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment should not be cancelled and provide supporting documentation and any relevant information to support your response.

The first step is to respond to the Notice of Intent you received from ASQA and provide supporting documentation and relevant information, using the link provided in the notice. You can also access the ASQA Portal here.

It is important you reply by the date specified in the notice as ASQA has not yet made a decision about your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment.

If you were enrolled in a course and have been issued a qualification by the RTO during the period of time referenced in the notice, and have not received a Notice of Intent, call ASQA on 1300 701 801 (dial +61 3 8613 3910 from outside Australia).

The first step is to respond to the Notice of Intent you received from ASQA and provide supporting documentation and relevant information, using the link provided in the notice. You can also access the response form on ASQA’s website.

It is important you reply by the date specified in the notice as ASQA has not yet made a decision about your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment.

You can provide information on the qualification you received in the response form.

The Notice of Intent you received from ASQA specifies the date you should respond by. 

ASQA will consider your response before it makes a decision on whether or not to cancel your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment.

Lodging Your Response and Supporting Documentation

ASQA has created a secure portal which will allow you to lodge your response and any supporting documentation and relevant information. Please use the link provided in your notice to submit your response. You can also access the portal on ASQA’s website.


Uploading Files

  • You can upload up to 15 attachments in the portal.
  • To make it easier to upload multiple or large files, you can compress (zip) them first.

Allowed file types:
jpg, jpeg, msg, gif, zip, 7z, pdf, png, tif, tiff, txt, html, htm, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, doc, docx, rtf, avi, mov, wmv, wav, m4a, mp3, mp4, mpeg.

Maximum total upload size per attachment:
50 MB. Files exceeding 50 MB will not upload and this will be indicated after attempted upload. You will need to upload smaller file sizes or compressed file/folders to submit this supporting evidence.


Compressing Files Before Upload

If you have files over the 50 MB limit, compressing them can help reduce size and allow multiple files to be uploaded together.

To compress files on Windows:

  1. Select the files or folders you want to include.
  2. Right‑click the selection.
  3. Select Send to (sometimes shown as Compress to), then choose Compressed (zipped) folder.
  4. A new zip file will appear in the same location, which you can upload to the portal.

To compress files on macOS:

  1. Select the files or folders you want to zip.
  2. Hold Command and click to select multiple.
  3. Right‑click the selection.
  4. Choose Compress Items.
  5. A zip file named Archive.zip appears in the same folder.
  6. Rename it if needed.

Without supporting documentation and relevant information to demonstrate you were assessed by the provider as meeting the competency requirements to be issued the qualifications or statements of attainment, it is likely the decision will be to cancel your qualifications or statements of attainment.

Please contact ASQA on 1300 701 801 (dial +61 3 8613 3910 from outside Australia).

If you have supporting documentation and relevant information that demonstrates you undertook valid training and assessment to achieve the learning outcomes or competencies required, you should provide this to ASQA.

Your response and supporting documentation and relevant information must demonstrate that the RTO provided you with appropriate training and assessment.

Listed below are examples of the types of supporting documentation and relevant information you should provide.

Relevant evidence you can provide

Documents related to your assessment with the RTO, for example:

  • assessments completed
  • assessments outcomes
  • training module completion report
  • completed assessment tasks
  • assessment feedback
  • marked assignments
  • evidence of completing work placement/s. These records should include both the names and signatures of employer/supervisor and a representative from the RTO. (usually in the form of a work placement logbook)
  • an outline of the period of enrolment and what assessment including work placement where applicable, occurred during that period
  • completed assessment records, including assessment of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications. These records should include details of the units of competency being assessed, and the name and signature of the person from the RTO who assessed your submissions.

Evidence that on its own will not be sufficient

  • written statements which describe your skills and experience
  • proof of employment in industry
  • evidence of current related work (within last 12 months)
  • documents, videos, photos submitted as part of an RPL process, without showing that the RTO has assessed these documents
  • letters of support from employers
  • documents only showing you did training with the RTO  
     

Evidence of other relevant training:

  • VET qualifications or Statements of attainment issued by another RTO in a similar or same field
  • higher education qualifications issued in Australia in a similar or same field
  • evidence that overseas qualifications in a similar or same field have been assessed as equivalent to Australian qualifications by another Australian organisation. 

Evidence not considered to demonstrate the required training and assessment was delivered by the RTO

  • identity documents
  • qualifications and transcripts issued by the cancelled RTO
  • payment receipts
  • overseas qualifications
  • RPL checklists or application forms from third parties not signed by the RTO  
  • resumes without other workplace evidence  
  • workplace policies and procedures
  • blank workplace forms or templates
  • aged employment evidence (for example, reference letters older than 12 months, employment contracts from previous years without other evidence to demonstrate current employment)  
  • VET qualifications or Statements of attainment issued by another RTO in a different field  
  • higher education qualifications issued in Australia in a different field
  • training and assessment evidence from other RTOs (e.g., placement workbooks or assessment evidence with other RTO branding)  
  • payslips  
  • statements of participation in non-accredited training  
  • evidence of completed professional development  
  • enrolment forms/confirmations  
  • acknowledgement of assessment submission emails from the RTO  

If you decide not to respond to the Notice of Intent, ASQA may cancel your relevant qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment. 

ASQA will not consider any response after the date specified in the notice. If you do not respond by the date specified in the notice, ASQA may cancel your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment.

ASQA will review all the supporting documentation and relevant information you provide before making a decision.

ASQA will notify you of the outcome of its decision and provide you with information on the next steps.

ASQA will provide you a written notice of its decision after it has reviewed all the supporting documentation and relevant information you have provided. 

ASQA will notify you of the decision via email. 

The decision to cancel qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment is a reviewable decision. You have the right to have the decision reviewed. 

If the decision is made by the Regulator, you cannot apply to ASQA to reconsider the decision. You may apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (the ART) (formerly the Administrative Appeals Tribunal) for a review of the decision.  More information on the review process can be found on the ART website (https://www.art.gov.au/).

If a decision is made by an officer of ASQA, you may be able to apply to ASQA to reconsider the decision. More information on the review process can be found on the ASQA website

The written notice of a decision will include information on how you can apply to ASQA to reconsider the decision and/or apply to the ART for a review of the decision.

ASQA will provide you a notice of its decision after it has reviewed all the supporting documentation and relevant information you have provided.

If you did not respond to the Notice of Intent, ASQA will provide you a notice of its decision after the date specified in the notice.

Where ASQA makes a decision to cancel a qualification(s) or statements(s) of attainment, the cancellation decision is published on the National Register. However, ASQA will not include your personal details in the publication. 

ASQA will also notify the Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar. The Office manages the register that holds each individual’s Unique Student Identifier (USI) Record.

The RTO cancellation decision has been published on the National Register. 

If you received a Notice of decision to cancel, you are required to return your qualification(s) and/or statements of attainment(s).

The documents must be returned to ASQA within 7 days of the date of this notice. You may incur a penalty if you do not comply.

If you continue to use your qualification(s) and/or statements of attainment(s), ASQA may take further action and penalties apply.  

You can return your original certificate(s) to ASQA’s Brisbane office:

Attention: Qualification Cancellations 
Australian Skills Quality Authority 
GPO Box 9928 
BRISBANE QLD 4001 

If you received your certificates in a digital format from the RTO, you must return them to ASQA by email: qualificationintegrity@asqa.gov.au 

The first step is to respond to the Notice of Intent and provide supporting documentation and relevant information, using the link provided in the notice. You can also access the response form on ASQA’s website. 

It is important you reply to the notice within the specified period as ASQA has not yet made a decision about your qualification. 

You should consider telling your employer and Licensing Authority, that you are engaging with ASQA in this process if your qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment:

  • is/are required for you to undertake your role
  • was/were presented to your employer for you to be appointed to your role
  • was/were included as an educational requirement to obtain a construction industry-based licence or registration.

The first step is to respond to the Notice of Intent and provide supporting documentation and relevant information, using the link provided in the notice. 

It is important you reply to the Notice and within the specified period as ASQA has not yet made a decision about your qualification.

If you used the qualification(s) or statement(s) of attainment as part of your visa application process, you should consider telling your current training provider that you are engaging with ASQA in this process.

If you have a VET Student Loans debt that you believe you should not have, you can contact VET student loan complaints | Commonwealth Ombudsman for information and advice, or phone 1300 362 072.

If you are an overseas student, then you can contact the Overseas student complaints | Commonwealth Ombudsman for assistance.

There are several consumer protection agencies that may be able to assist.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has advice for Problem with a product or service you bought | ACCC on their website.

ASQA will provide you a written notice of its decision after it has reviewed all the supporting documentation and relevant information you have provided. Where ASQA makes a decision to cancel qualification(s) and/or statement(s) of attainment, ASQA recommends searching for a registered training provider or training course on Your Career. Your Career is Australia's directory of training. It includes information on training in Australia for school leavers, students, apprentices, and employers. 

When choosing a training or education provider, it is important to consider whether the provider and the course will meet your needs and expectations. ASQA’s Choosing a course and provider section includes a consumer checklist with important questions to ask a potential provider.

You could undertake a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment with another provider. RPL may be based on evidence collected through formal, non-formal and informal learning to determine the extent to which a person has achieved the required learning and/or competency outcomes to be awarded a unit of credit; this is often matched with ‘gap’ training, to meet the full competency requirements of a unit or course.

Formal learning, as the term relates to RPL, may mean units of credit which are related, but not equivalent to, the credit being sought, or credits which are no longer current.

Non-formal learning refers to learning, which is structured and focused, but which is delivered outside the Australian Qualifications Framework; for example, seminars, continuous professional development activities, and non-accredited training.

Informal learning refers to learning which is gained without syllabus or curriculum without any formal or non-formal direction – in the vocational sector this often relates to skills acquired through the workplace, which have not been directed by an instructor or structured to lead to a recognised outcome.

You can provide a variety of documentation. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • records of previously completed training
  • assessment items
  • assessment records and/or
  • declarations from a student’s employer.

You can also speak with your employer about other training opportunities.

Once a qualification and/or statement of attainment is cancelled it is no longer valid, so you will not be able to use it to seek a credit transfer.

Call ASQA on 1300 701 801 (dial +61 3 8613 3910 from outside Australia).

If you are experiencing distress help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in Australia. If you need help now, call: 

  • Lifeline – 13 11 14
  • Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636.

Information for employers and the general public who may be impacted by ASQA’s regulatory actions is available on the DEWR website.