ASQA has a risk-based approach to compliance, and a quality outcome focus to protect the quality and reputation of the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector.

Performance assessments (audits) are one of the ways we review compliance and identify and manage provider risks.

Our work with providers promotes a return to compliance in a systemic, structured and sustainable way. 

Transforming our regulatory approach 

In response to the Rapid Review recommendations we continue to roll out improvements to the way we regulate to improve confidence and quality in the VET sector.

We’re improving our stakeholder consultation and provider relationships by:

  • building a common understanding about our role, what we do and what we don’t do
  • identifying shared responsibilities across the sector
  • aligning our performance assessments with developing self-assurance
  • supporting and educating providers to meet their obligations.

We’ve improved our systems and processes to manage compliance by:

  • changing our organisational structure to focus on strengthening strategic oversight
  • including risk-based and routine monitoring of the sector
  • responding to non-compliance in a fair and balanced way
  • strengthening training for our assessors and decision makers.

ASQA’s Regulatory Assessment and Monitoring Approach provides an overview of how we undertake our assessment and monitoring activities to determine provider compliance and risk management.

How we assess course accreditation applications

We accredit VET accredited courses if they meet:

Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021

Accreditation is formal confirmation that a course:

  • is nationally recognised and meets quality assurance requirements
  • meets an established industry, enterprise, educational, legislative or community need that is not addressed by a training package
  • provides competency outcomes and a satisfactory basis for assessment
  • is aligned to the AQF where it leads to a VET qualification.

Learn more about course accreditation

How we assess registration applications

Learn more about how we assess new registration applications, application renewals and change of scope to existing registrations.

How we manage non-compliance

We manage non-compliance with a risk-based focus to identify and treat the most significant risks.

The way we manage non-compliance is consistent, transparent and central to promoting public confidence in the skills and training system.

Where we find that a provider doesn’t meet legislation or the standards, we’ll respond proportionately based on the level of risk.

Our response includes using a range of regulatory tools, to ensure providers address non-compliance and have monitoring systems in place to remain compliant.

We respond to non-compliance based on the:

  • seriousness of non-compliance
  • extent of a provider’s commitment and capability to compliance
  • ability to maintain compliance. 
Our regulatory response aims to:
  • raise awareness of obligations and the consequences of non-compliance
  • ensure providers promptly address non-compliance and rectify any harm caused
  • promote continuous improvement and ensure future compliance is achievable and sustainable
  • address non-compliance in the most efficient way
  • increase accountability and transparency of performance in the sector.

Our Regulatory Assessment and Monitoring Approach outlines the regulatory tools we use to return providers to compliance. 

How and why we publish our regulatory decisions

We publish information about certain regulatory decisions on the National Training Register (training.gov.au).

Prior to 1 March 2021 ASQA published a range of regulatory decisions on its website to assist students, industry and government to make informed decisions about training provider suitability.  This practice ceased in 2021 following legislative changes which permitted ASQA to publish those regulatory decisions directly to the national training register in a timely fashion.

Historic regulatory decision information continues to be publicly available on:

We encourage students and employers interested in learning about registration status and decisions related to a particular provider to visit Your Career, the national directory of VET organisations and courses. Your Career is designed for potential and existing VET students to help them make choices about their training options.

For more information about regulatory decisions see our Regulatory Practice Guide - Approach to compliance.

How we review decisions

When we make a decision that adversely affects a provider, we provide procedural fairness and robust reasons for our decisions. This ensures a fair process. In addition, providers also have an opportunity to ask for a review of certain regulatory decisions.

The way we review decisions intends to:

  • provide a genuine opportunity to engage with providers
  • ensure our decisions support the integrity of national qualifications issued by training providers
  • give stakeholders confidence in the decisions we make.

When we review decisions, we review the evidence that led to our original decision and any new evidence. We do this to ensure we have made the correct decision.

We make decisions on the evidence we have at the time of assessment. New evidence may change a decision on review.

For more information see our Regulatory Practice Guide - Approach to review of decisions. 

Our code of practice

Our code of practice guides how our staff perform their duties. They follow these principles at all times during assessments:

  • honesty and integrity
  • respect and courtesy
  • confidentiality
  • procedural fairness
  • competence
  • due care and diligence.

Learn more about our Code of Practice or provide feedback in relation to assessor/officer conduct. 
 

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