If you’re involved in Vocational Education and Training (VET), you’ll likely know that ASQA is the national regulator of Australia’s VET sector. But what does this mean for your organisation?
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at ASQA’s role in VET and explore how they work to ensure quality training standards are upheld. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of being registered with ASQA.
So, if you’re curious about how this important regulatory body works, read on!
As mentioned above, ASQA is the national regulator of Australia’s VET sector. Their purpose is to ensure quality Vocational Education and Training (VET) so that students, employers, governments and the community can be confident in the integrity of qualifications being issued by training providers.
To ensure quality in VET, ASQA regulates the following:
ASQA also accredits VET courses to make sure that they meet the nationally approved quality standards.
Through these regulations, ASQA aims to provide nationally consistent, quality Vocational Education and Training, that meets the needs of the Australian workforce.
ASQA’s purpose to ensure quality Vocational Education and Training is summarised by their strategic direction as outlined in their 2021-22 Corporate Plan:
Source: https://www.asqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/21785_asqa_-_annual_report_2020-21_accessible.pdf
ASQA supports quality and compliance through collaboration and engagement.
One of the ways which ASQA has improved engagement with the sector has been through their Stakeholder Liaison Group meetings.
The purpose of these meetings is to engage and consult with providers and other key stakeholders about ASQA’s approach to engagement and education and to identify and respond to any major issues that providers are facing.
In addition, in 2021 ASQA also completed the following:
ASQA has a large and diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, Vocational Education and Training providers, students, industry representatives and other regulatory bodies in the education sector.
Source: https://www.asqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/21785_asqa_-_annual_report_2020-21_accessible.pdf
ASQA was established on 1st July 2011 through the:
ASQA’s internal regulatory practices are supported by an extensive framework of legislation and standards, including the Vet Quality Framework, the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012, and legislation specific to providing courses to overseas students.
ASQA also monitors providers using the ESOS Act; the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training for Overseas Students 2018, and the ELICOS Standards 2018 when applicable.
For more information on the legislation and standards, including a complete list of what makes up the VET Quality Framework, click here.
The Standards Guide for RTOs 2015 is an important document in the Vocational Education and Training industry.
It was developed to help Registered Training Organisations understand their obligations as well as maintain quality for every student during their journey through Vocational Education and Training.
The Standards are broken down into the five phases of the Learner Journey, plus Regulatory compliance and governance practice:
This focuses on the first phase of the learner’s journey, the marketing and recruitment of your training organisation, and deals mainly with ensuring that potential students and employers receive clear, accurate and readily accessible information to make an informed choice that will best meet their training needs.
Read more about the marketing and recruitment phase here.
This focuses on the second phase of the learner journey: their enrolment experience.
Under the Standards, during this phase Registered Training Organisations are responsible for:
Students have also expressed that it is important that the following happens during the enrolment phase:
Read more about the enrolment phase here.
This focuses on the third phase of the learning journey, how Registered Training Organisations support their students’ learning progression.
Under the Standards, during this phase Registered Training Organisations are responsible for:
This Clause also requires RTOs to ensure that the training, assessment and support services they receive meets their individual needs.
Read more about the support and progression phase here.
This focuses on the training and assessment phase of the learner’s journey and requires training providers to provide high quality training and assessment that will prepare students for employment or further study; make sure their qualification is credible; and ensure they possess the skills and competencies as specified in their qualification.
Students have expressed that it is important for the following to happen during this phase of their learning journey:
Read more about the training and assessment phase here.
This focuses on the fifth and final phase of the learner’s journey where they complete their experience with their RTO, the end of their training and assessment; and the issuance of their certification.
The quality and integrity of the qualification earned is critically important to learners and their employers. They must be confident that the training and assessment received has been high quality.
Learners also want to receive their certification quickly so as not to be disadvantaged when looking for work.
Under the Standards, during this phase RTOs are responsible for:
Read more about the completion phase here.
This focuses on the relevant reporting and governance practices that underpin the good management of RTOs, and create effective functioning and sustainability as a business.
These Standards support RTOs in providing high quality student experiences and learning outcomes.
Under the Standards, during this phase RTOs are responsible for:
Read more about the regulatory compliance and governance practice phase here.
ASQA is an independent statutory authority with three Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor-General for five years. They are:
The Chief Commissioner also acts as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for all of ASQA’s management and administration.
The Current Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer is Saxon Rice, who was appointed for five years in October 2020, taking effect on 1st January 2021.
This figure shows ASQA’s national organisation structure as at 30th June 2021:
Source: https://www.asqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/21785_asqa_-_annual_report_2020-21_accessible.pdf
ASQA registration is verification that the provider can meet rigorous government standards and can issue nationally recognised qualifications.
This verification gives your organisation credibility and tells prospective students that you meet established industry, enterprise, educational, legislative and community needs.
Regulate Australia’s National Vocational Education and Training sector.
To nationally consistent, risk-based regulation of Vocational Education and Training that contributes to an informed, quality VET sector that meets the needs of Australia’s workforce and economy.
ASQA uses risk-based regulation, and engagement and support to ensure they understand the sector and provider risks to regulation, and support quality, compliance and self assurance.
To contribute toward high quality Vocational Education and Training.
Tags: asqa; australian skills quality authority; australia’s vocational education; national vocational education; english language intensive courses; national regulator; ensure quality vocational education; vet sector; australian skills quality; regulatory risk priorities; vocational education and training; asqa’s regulatory practices; accredited vet courses; vet providers; nationally recognised training; asqa’s regulatory approach;