PRG members collectively bring their whole of sector perspective to work collaboratively with ASQA, in recognition of our shared stewardship for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
PRG membership reflects the diversity of ASQA’s regulated community. Individual PRG members are selected based on their VET expertise and their commitment to driving continuous improvement across the VET sector.
Nicole Banks is the Executive Manager for the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI). HETI, also known as the NSW Health Registered Training Organisation, is an enterprise government RTO for the NSW Health system.
Nicole leads a dedicated state-wide team to deliver programs in health, community, business, security and accredited courses in mental health. Programs are delivered to NSW Health staff, school students and external students to meet NSW Health workforce needs and priorities.
Nicole is responsible for the RTO’s governance, compliance and regulatory requirements and oversees curriculum development, RTO workforce development, and student engagement.
Nicole has 20+ years of experience in the health care system after commencing in an Allied Health clinical role. Nicole has vast expertise leading health education programs that develop and grow the NSW Health workforce and lift capability.
Nicole represents the RTO at ITECA and ERTOA events.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science and Nutrition), Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management, Diploma of Quality Auditing, Diploma of Business, Diploma of Project Management, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Greg Bassani is the Chief Executive Officer of Adelaide Training and Employment Centre (ATEC), a large not-for-profit training provider which incorporates a Group Training Organisation (GTO). With two large metropolitan locations in South Australia and delivery throughout the state, ATEC provides trade training in the priority areas of electrotechnology, mechanical engineering and fabrication, and building and construction. The GTO covers additional areas including refrigeration and air-conditioning, data and communications, business, and plumbing.
Greg has worked in research and development within the defence sector and has previously been the CEO for the peak body of the state’s electronics manufacturing industry. He has also worked extensively in vocational education and training for many years in roles including teaching, and senior and executive management in TAFE SA for 35 years, and now in his current position as CEO of ATEC for the past 5 years.
Greg is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and of Engineers Australia, and has professional qualifications in technology, education, and management, which are underpinned by several paraprofessional and trade qualifications in electrotechnology. He is a non-executive director of ITECA and serves on ITECA’s state and national committees. Greg is a board member of the Apprentice Employment Network SA and a director of the Industry Training Providers’ Association in SA.
Natalie Cassone brings over 20 years of expertise in enterprise RTO operations. Her passion for Vocational Education and Training (VET) began as a volunteer Trainer and Assessor with the NSW SES. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in VET, gaining extensive knowledge and skills in trainer and assessor development, training and assessment material design, and RTO compliance across NSW SES and other emergency service organisations. With a unique perspective, Natalie has a holistic understanding of VET within the enterprise RTO environment, empowering her to lead initiatives that ensure high-quality training and assessment.
As Manager of Quality Assurance and Training Systems at NSW SES, she actively oversees systems to support volunteer learners, trainers, and assessors across diverse and high-risk operational environments. Natalie champions flexible, high quality training delivery by balancing compliance with practical, inclusive approaches tailored to the realities of volunteer and enterprise contexts.
She also serves as Treasurer of the Enterprise RTO Association (ERTOA) and contributes at a national level through the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) Learning and Development Group. Natalie is passionate about leveraging sector insights to inform regulatory strategy and enhance vocational outcomes across Australia’s emergency services landscape.
Qualifications: Graduate Diploma in Adult and Vocational Education, Diploma of Training and Assessment Systems (BSZ50198), Diploma of Quality Auditing (BSB51615), Diploma of Business (BSB50215), Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB51918), Diploma of Project Management (BSB51415) and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110).
Mark Croft is the Director, Quality and Compliance at TAFE SA and has held this role, and preceding iterations, since April 2018. He has responsibility for VET compliance, self-assurance and course accreditation, Higher Education academic governance, AVETMISS compliance and reporting, Commonwealth Student Loans compliance and reporting, and issuance of AQF certification.
Mark commenced at TAFE SA in 2000 and has been involved in the quality and compliance function since 2004. He has coordinated multiple RTO re-registrations, experienced multiple regulator audits and has led offshore audits of transnational agreements. He recently led TAFE SA’s re-registration as an Institute of Higher Education with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) for the maximum 7 years. He has been a member of the TDA Quality, Regulation and Compliance (QRC) Policy Network since its inception and was Chair of this Network from June 2022 to June 2024.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) – Flinders University; Diploma of Government – TAFE SA; Certificate IV in Frontline Management – TAFE SA; Lead Auditor – SAI Global.
Luke French is the Managing Director of The French Beauty Academy which celebrates a 40-year history in Beauty Training in 2026 with campuses in Queensland and South Australia.
Luke brings extensive international experience to his leadership role, having previously held positions in financial analysis and management for large multi-national organisations. Since taking the executive role in 2015, Luke has been responsible for the development and execution of the organization’s strategic goals, focusing on the intersection of high-end service standards and rigorous vocational education.
Luke is a member of the VET Student Loans Provider Reference Group, as well as a member of the ITECA National Skills Committee and South Australia State Committee.
He is particularly passionate about fostering a "human-centric" approach to regulation and education, ensuring that VET providers not only meet compliance standards but deliver transformative personal and professional growth opportunities for their students.
Qualifications: Luke’s qualifications include a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce.
Anita Kumar is the Chief Executive Officer of ECTARC, a nonprofit organisation that delivers early education and care services and operates a national RTO specialising in Early Childhood Education and School Aged Care qualifications with a strong focus on supporting learners in regional, rural and remote communities.
Anita is a highly respected leader in education, community development and workforce capability. Across her career, she has collaborated with national and international organisations to address systemic workforce shortages, strengthen educational pathways, and design evidence informed programs that improve outcomes for children, families and communities.
Prior to ECTARC, Anita was the CEO of Early Start at the University of Wollongong, where she led major partnerships, research translation and community-centred initiatives that strengthened outcomes for children, families and educators. Anita is an experienced Board Director and a member of the Business NSW Skills, Education and Policy Council.
Qualifications: Executive Leadership program at Harvard Business School, Fellowship - Vincent Fairfax Ethical Leadership Program. Master of Management, Bachelors of Engineering.
Stephen Mitchell is the RTO Manager for the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, a Catholic secondary school–based RTO located in the Central West of New South Wales. He has 25 years’ experience in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, including 18 years as an RTO Manager, with demonstrated expertise in RTO leadership, compliance, governance, and the delivery of high-quality VET programs within the school system.
Stephen oversees the delivery of VET programs across a large and geographically diverse region, extending west from Lithgow to Dubbo and north from Cowra to Mudgee. He supports students from a broad range of social, cultural, and regional backgrounds, with a particular focus on school-based traineeships and apprenticeships that align with diverse aspirations, interests, and workforce needs.
His professional experience includes serving in an acting role as NSW State Coordinator of Vocational Education for the Catholic Education Commission NSW (now Catholic Schools NSW). In this role, Stephen provided strategic advice and sector-wide support to dioceses delivering VET and contributed to numerous advisory, industry, and representative committees at both state and national levels.
Stephen is currently a member of the Catholic Schools NSW VET Reference Group and is a Highly Accomplished / Lead Teacher (HALT) Assessor with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Qualifications
• Graduate Certificate in ICT Education (CSU)
• Bachelor of Education (ACU)
• Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (AFS)
• Diploma of Training Design and Development (AFS)
• Certificate III in Catering (Food Futures)
• Certificate III in Business (AFS)
• Certificate III in Information Digital Media & Technology (TAFE NSW)
• Certificate II in Hospitality (Food Futures)
• Auditing Skill Set (TAFE NSW)
Serryn O’Regan is CEO of Equinim College (T/As EQC Institute) and Executive Manager Governance & General Counsel at Evolve College.
Serryn has a 30+ year history in business and law. Serryn has worked in education since 1999.
Serryn is Deputy Chair (Skills) of the Board of ITECA, and chair of the Governance Committee. Serryn is a Board member of NCVER. She is a member of the Strategic Advisory Committee of Future Skills Organisation (FSO) the Jobs and Skills Council responsible for the Finance, Technology and Business training packages.
Serryn previously headed up the global program for a worldwide charity that is based in Washington DC and reaches 1 billion people annually, where she coordinated 10,000 member organisations in 190 countries, including partnering with the UN. Serryn has worked in two top tier national law firms including being the lead lawyer on international joint
ventures worth up to $2.4 billion in the 1990s, acting for the joint venture conglomerate and
leading legal negotiations between the top tier legal representatives of each joint venture
partner, together with financiers and government, among many other national and
international engagements.
Sally Powell is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the AFL SportsReady Group, which incorporates SportsReady Education and The Ready Foundation. Prior to joining AFL SportsReady, Sally was employed with the Bunnings Group and held senior leadership roles in retail operations, strategy and governance.
Sally has a strong vocational education, social enterprise, disability and community service background having been the Chief Executive of the Bedford Group from 2011 to 2018. Sally has actively advocated for the education and employment of people with disability, Indigenous Australians and those experiencing disadvantage both nationally and internationally, played a key role in the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and development of the Certificate of Education for South Australia.
She is the Chairperson of Social Traders, a for-purpose intermediary accrediting social enterprises and supporting business and government to deliver social performance.
Sally is an experienced Director having previously served on the Board and Committees of Westminster School, Workability International, National Disability Services Australia, Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia and Training and Skills Commission (SA) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Sally holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Graduate Diploma Human Resource Management and a Master’s in Public Policy.
Dr Belinda Russon is Chief Executive Officer of Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited, Australia’s oldest national independent Aboriginal adult education provider, established in 1957. Since 2013, she has led the organisation through significant strategic growth, strengthening its national profile and contribution to vocational education and training reform.
An Aboriginal woman and executive leader within the community-controlled sector, Belinda brings more than two decades of experience across VET, governance and community justice. Her work is grounded in the principle of self-determination and in ensuring that regulatory and funding frameworks enable high-quality, culturally responsive delivery for First Nations learners.
Belinda contributes to national reform discussions with a strong understanding of regulatory practice, provider accountability and sector sustainability. She advocates for a VET system that maintains integrity and quality assurance while recognising the distinct role and operating context of First Nations community-controlled RTOs. Her perspective bridges lived experience, executive leadership and regulatory engagement, supporting practical, evidence-informed reform.
Qualifications: Doctor of Juridical Science, University of New South Wales; Master of Laws, University of Technology Sydney; Bachelor of Laws, University of Technology Sydney; Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney.
Certificates: Certificate III in Travel, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Graduate Certificate of Legal Practice, University of Technology Sydney.
Kerryn Meredith-Sotiris is an experienced senior executive with extensive leadership across higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors in NSW and Tasmania. She has overseen large-scale educational operations, chaired academic boards, and led strategic industry partnerships. In her current role as Executive Director, Course Development and Quality at TAFE NSW, Kerryn is responsible for curriculum and course development, quality assurance, educator capability, and digital transformation, all underpinned by strong governance and regulatory expertise.
Kerryn also serves as the Chair of the TAFE NSW Education Excellence and Assurance Committee, strengthening system-wide quality and continuous improvement. With a professional background that includes hands-on VET teaching experience, she brings a deep understanding of teaching practice and learner needs to her executive leadership.
She holds postgraduate qualifications in education, a Bachelor of Information Systems, and has completed executive leadership programs through ANZSOG and the NSW Government. Kerryn’s ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, combined with her commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and educational excellence, positions her as a strong contributor to shaping the future of VET and higher education.
Liz Thomas is an accomplished vocational education leader with over 20 years’ experience in the VET sector, including her current role as RTO Manager at UOW College Australia (UOWCA)—a pathways college and dual sector provider with CRICOS registration. She previously spent 17 years in senior leadership positions at TAFE NSW, building deep expertise in quality assurance, regulatory frameworks, and strategic initiatives that enhance student success.
Liz is passionate about equitable access to education and is committed to creating safe, supportive learning environments that empower students to realise their aspirations. Through strong and purposeful industry collaboration, she ensures vocational programs are contemporary, fit for purpose, and aligned to evolving workforce needs.
Her values-based leadership extends beyond her organisational role. Liz serves as a Director on the Board of Illawarra Diggers Aged Care and is an active member of the ITECA NSW Committee, contributing to sector-wide improvement and advocacy.
She holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and specialist credentials in auditing, quality systems, leadership, and management.
Education: Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and specialist credentials in auditing, quality systems, leadership and management.
Matthew Trott is a Director and Co-Owner of Training Services Australia Pty Ltd, a privately operated Registered Training Organisation based in Western Australia. Matthew has been working with the organisation for 25 years and has played a key role in its ongoing growth and reputation within the vocational education and training sector.
Since its inception, Training Services Australia has been involved in the delivery of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment across successive national training packages, including BSZ40198, TAA40104, TAE40110 and TAE40116. The organisation also delivers the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management and the Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, supporting workforce capability and compliance outcomes across a range of industries.
Matthew and fellow directors Geoff Trott and Jeremy Trott collectively bring 75 years of RTO experience, providing strong governance, regulatory knowledge, and practical industry insight to the organisation.
Matthew has extensive experience working directly with industry, including Mining and Oil and Gas, Construction, General Commerce, and Local, State and Federal Government Departments. He is highly regarded for his ability to engage with stakeholders, understand industry-specific workforce needs, and contribute to practical, compliant training solutions. He regularly provides input into training sector challenges, reforms, and emerging issues through consultation with industry bodies and Jobs and Skills Councils across Australia.
Matthew was made an Honorary Life Member of the Training and Development Association of Western Australia in recognition of his service, having served as a committee member from 2000 to 2014.
His qualifications include a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources Management and Services) and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.
Simon Wiggins is the Managing Director of Avidity Training Pty Ltd, an award winning, privately operated Registered Training Organisation based in Tasmania delivering nationally recognised training and workforce development solutions.
Avidity Training is widely recognised for its strong commitment to Access and Equity in vocational education and training (VET), with a focus on building meaningful learning pathways that enable participants to confidently engage in training and contribute to the economy. Avidity is also a leading provider of community services workforce development in Tasmania, particularly within the disability support sector.
Simon has worked in the VET sector for several years and has been actively involved in its development at both state and national levels. He is a graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program and brings extensive experience in provider operations, workforce development, and quality assurance. Simon is committed to working collaboratively with regulators, industry, and providers to identify practical solutions that support quality outcomes and continuous improvement across the VET sector.