1. Australian Apprenticeship Support Services – The Under the new model for Australian Apprenticeship Support Services, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has appointed 9 organisations to provide support for apprentices. The new model is anticipated to be rolled out from 1 July 2024.

2. New Energy Apprenticeships Program – From 1 June 2024, the government is expanding the New Energy Apprenticeships Program.

3. Budget 2024-2025:

• VET & Budget
• HE & Budget
• Detailed analysis of the budget done by The Koala News

4. Increase to the Financial Capacity Requirement – Minimum funds required to meet the financial capacity requirement for Student and Student Guardian visas has been increased to AUD29,710.

5. Warning letters issued – Department of Home Affairs has issued warning letters to 34 education providers for non-genuine or exploitative recruitment practices.

6. Draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework has been released to set a path for government and the sector to work together so international education can continue to deliver benefits to our economy, communities and international students. Through the Framework, the government is taking an active role in supporting a sector built on quality and integrity. You can provide your feedback via Consultation Form on the Department website.

7. ESOS Amendment Bill (Quality and Integrity) 2024 – The first reading of the ESOS Amendment Bill 2024 has been introduced on 16 May 2024. If passed, the Bill will giver broader powers to the government to control education agents and control the international student numbers in Australia.

8. Review of ICT training package – The Future Skills Organisation (FSO) has commenced the review of ICT training package.

9. Skills ministers Council – Following a meeting of federal, state and territory skills minister last Friday, the VET reforms agenda has been pushed forward. Read the Skills Minister’s communique.

Read more about VET sector updates in 2024 the previous posts:

• VET Sector Updates – Jan 2024
• VET Sector Updates – Feb 2024
• VET Sector Updates – March 2024

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1. Qualification Reform Update – The Qualification Reform Design Group have provided initial advice to Skills Ministers on reforming Australia’s vocational education and training qualification system last month i.e.; March 2024. The proposed qualifications system is purpose-driven and supported by Qualification Development Quality Principles. Three broad purposes have been identified:

• Purpose 1 – qualifications leading to a specific occupation (for example a licensed trade)
• Purpose 2 – qualifications that prepare learners for multiple occupations in the industry
• Purpose 3 – qualifications that develop cross-sectoral or foundation skills and knowledge which may be applied across industries, or lead to tertiary education and training pathways

The Design Group, assisted by Jobs and Skills Councils and states and territories, will report back to Skills Ministers on progress of the work, with further advice to be provided by the end of 2024 along with plan for implementation of the new qualifications model by 2025. The Design Group March 2024 update and Advice Paper to Skills Ministers can be downloaded from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

2. NVETR Act 2011 Amendments – On 29 March 2024, the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Act 2024 (the Act) was enacted. The amendments implement recommendations from the Braithwaite Review and respond more broadly to the findings of the Nixon Review in relation to VET sector integrity risks. A copy of the Bill can be downloaded from the Parliament of Australia website.

The Bill amends the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 in relation to:

• the automatic lapse of a registered training organisation (RTO);
• preventing an RTO from adding new courses to its scope of registration in the first 2 years of registration;
• increasing the period within which the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator can conduct an internal review of decisions;
• the order of initial applications for registration; suspension of applications for registration;
• offence and civil penalty provisions for false and misleading representations made by RTOs; and
• an increase in penalty units; and National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Transitional Provisions) Act 2011 to provide for transitional arrangements.

ASQA has published details about the changes and how the changes may impact education providers.

3. Migration Strategy – The Govt has finalised and taken actions on some of the key recommendations from Migration Strategy that impacts the international education sector. The changes that came into effect in march include:

–  Genuine Student Requirement that replaced the previous GTE requirement. The Department of Home Affairs website has detailed information the new Genuine Student Requirement.

– Increased English language requirements.  Watch my last video VET Sector Updates – Feb 2024 where this change was discussed in detail. The Department of Home Affairs has also published the new English language requirements on its website.

– Migration (Suspension Certificate Matters) Specification (LIN 24/034) 2024 – The Government has introduced a new legislative instrument, Migration (Suspension Certificate Matters) Specification (LIN 24/034) 2024, that outlines a method to calculate ‘relevant score’ for the CRICOS providers based on their compliance requirements with student visa regulations. The score is believed to be determined twice every year using a 14-step method listed in the legislative instrument and will play an important role in minister’s decision making on issuing suspension certificates to CRICOS providers.

Read more about VET sector updates in 2024 the previous posts:

• VET Sector Updates – Jan 2024
• VET Sector Updates – Feb 2024

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1. National VET Regulator Amendment Bill 2024 –
The Bill amends the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 in relation to:

• the automatic lapse of a registered training organisation (RTO);
• preventing an RTO from adding new courses to its scope of registration in the first 2 years of registration;
• increasing the period within which the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator can conduct an internal review of decisions;
• the order of initial applications for registration; suspension of applications for registration;
• offence and civil penalty provisions for false and misleading representations made by RTOs; and
• an increase in penalty units; and National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Transitional Provisions) Act 2011 to provide for transitional arrangements.

A copy of the Bill can be downloaded from the Parliament of Australia website.

2. Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System – The Australian Government is undertaking a review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System. Details can be found on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) website.

Written submission for the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System can be provided via email by 15 May 2024.

3. Blueprint for the VET Workforce – The VET Workforce Blueprint (the Blueprint) is currently being developed to support, grow and sustain the VET workforce. DEWR is seeking feedback from the current workforce through a public submissions process to test the current understanding of the challenges faced by the VET workforce and identify actions that result in effective change.

Provide your feedback on the VET Blueprint here

-Consultation to support your submission can be found on Consultation Paper

-A survey is also available to gather insights from those who have left the workforce within the last 5 years.

4. Early Changes to the Current Standards for RTOs – DEWR announced in Feb that the Skills Ministers have agreed to progress changes to the current Standards in advance of implementing revised Standards from 1 Jan 2025. These early changes designed to address current VET workforce pressures can be read on the DEWR

The early changes came into effect on 1 March 2024 via the Standards for Registered Training Organisations Amendment (VET Workforce Support) Instrument 2024

Read more about VET sector updates in 2024 the previous posts:

• VET Sector Updates – Jan 2024

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1. 2024 Australian Apprenticeship Priority List
19 new occupations to 2024 apprenticeship priority list. Check out the full list of qualifications.

2. National Skills Passport
Consultation process has commenced on National Skills Passport. Visit the Department website to share your feedback.

3. Annual Declaration on Compliance 2024
ASQA regulated RTOs need to submit the ADC by 29 Feb 2024. For more details visit ASQA website.

4. VET Activity AVETMISS data
The deadline to submit total VET activity for 2023 is 29 Feb 2024. Visit NCVER and ASQA website for more details.

5. Updated Compliance Checklists
2024 RTO and ESOS obligations checklists are now available on ASQA website

6. Australian Migration Strategy
The Australian Migration Strategy was released on 11 December 2023 with a policy roadmap containing 8 key actions and over 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reform. For details on how the migration strategy impacts VET sector, read the details on Department of Home Affairs website.

Changes proposed in the strategy that will impact the sector will include:

– Increased English language requirements for both student and temporary graduate visas. Minimum IELTS test score required for student visa has increased from 5.5 to 6 and for temporary graduate visa, it’s increased from 6 to 6.5.

– More targeted scrutiny to student visa applications will be achieved via 2 newly introduced ministerial directions. 1^st direction will outline areas of consideration to support decision making to grant student visa. And the 2^nd direction will prioritise student visa applications based on provider risk levels.

– Restrict onshore visa hopping – by a newly implemented Genuine Student Test – requires students to demonstrate that their proposed new study aligns with their career progression. As a result, temporary graduate visa holders will be restricted from applying for student visas while still onshore.

– The temp graduate visa durations have been revised and some international students will now have a comparatively shorter period of stay. The strategy focuses on “strengthening graduate visas” to ensure more graduates are employed at their skill level, rather than being stuck working in low-skilled jobs. Graduates working in skilled jobs will have the opportunity to apply for the new Skills in Demand visa or a permanent skilled visa.

 Read more about VET sector updates in the previous posts:

• Updates July to Nov 2023
• Updates May to June 2023
• Updates in VET sector Feb to April 2023
• Updates in VET Sector & Events

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1. Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs)
JSCs have been established to provide industry with a stronger voice to ensure Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector delivers better outcomes for learners and employers. Read more about all 10 established JSCs here.

2.Fit and Proper Person Requirements
Amendments have been made to the Fit and Proper Person Requirements, which are in effect 5 Sep 2023 onward. Visit ASQA’s website for details on key changes made.

3.International Student Delivery
Following the Rapid Review into the exploitation of Australia’s visa system by Christine Nixon earlier this year, the Australian government has taken several measures in an attempt to prevent unethical practices. Read more about Nixon Review in detail here.

Details on concurrent studies can be found here.

Details on change in the minimum fund requirements for international students in order to get student visa can be found here.

Following an inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sector, the joint committee on Foreign affairs, defense and trade released its interim report with 29 recommendations, that can be read here.

Some of the other announcements that were made as part of these measures include:

i. Establishing a new integrity unit within the regulator, with broader powers to ensure and monitor provider compliance.

ii. Establishing a monitoring framework and developing systemic risk indicators, with a focus on student attendance and agent performance data.

iii. The ban on onshore education agent commission for student transfers between the providers.

iv. Suspending the “high-risk” CRICOS providers, from recruiting international students

v. Preventing cross-ownership of businesses by education agencies and education providers

More details on these announcements can be found across multiple sources listed below:
– Action to end rorts
– Next steps to strengthen the integrity of international education
– Stamping out dodgy VET providers

4. National skills passport
Read details on National Skills Passport here –  https://ministers.education.gov.au/chalmers/national-skills-passport

5. National Skills Agreement
Detailed information about National Skills Agreement can be found here.

6. VET Qualification Reforms
Visit Department’s website for all updates on VET Qualifications Reforms –

7. Draft Standards for RTOs
Visit Department’s website for the revised copy of Draft Standards for RTOs – https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/quality-reforms
Provide feedback on draft of revised Standards by completing the online survey here.

8. ESOS Reforms
Following the sector feedback on the ESOS review discussion paper released last year, the Department sought further stakeholders’ feedback throughout.  Few of the anticipated upcoming changes as a part of ESOS Reform may involve amendments to written agreements between students and providers, English language requirements, additional protection requirements for minor students, increase in proportion of allowable online delivery to onshore overseas students potentially up to 50% while retaining the minimum of 20 scheduled course contact hours per week and education agents. Nothing has been announced yet and consultations are still ongoing in this space.

9. ASQA’s updated application requirements for initial registration
ASQA has updated its application forms and supporting evidence requirements for new entrants to the vocational education and training market. From 27 November 2023, all applications for initial registration must be made via new form and accompanied by the required supporting evidence. Read more on ASQA’s website – https://www.asqa.gov.au/news-events/news/updated-application-requirements-initial-registration

Read more about VET sector updates in the previous posts:
– Updates May to June 2023
– Updates in VET sector Feb to April 2023
– Updates in VET Events

The post Updates in VET Sector – July to November 2023 appeared first on Education and Training Compliance Solutions.

A number of CRICOS providers define compassionate or compelling circumstances as situations that lie outside a student’s control and significantly affect their well-being or studies. While framing the criteria in this manner can be beneficial for both providers and students, it is crucial for providers not to restrict their assessment of a student’s circumstances solely to those falling within this definition. Provider policies should not be too restrictive about what may be considered compassionate or compelling and should allow the decision-maker to make a professional judgment based on individual student circumstances.

When determining whether the circumstances are compassionate or compelling the important factor to consider is the evidence that is provided by the student to support their claims. Quite a number of CRICOS providers include examples of what may be considered as an acceptable evidence within their policies and guidelines. Though this is helpful and guides both your students and staff to understand the evidence requirements, it’s important to not limit your acceptance of evidence documents to just those listed within your policies.

The most commonly used evidence in these situations is the medical evidence. Some providers state in their policies that they won’t accept medical certificates issued by GPs and instead they require students to provide evidence from a medical specialist and some providers require students’ medical evidence to be verified by the provider’s preferred GP or a specialist.

Providers need to be mindful that they don’t impose unnecessary requirements for the type of evidence or the amount of evidence that students need to provide to support their claims.

Providers should be mindful that medical information is sensitive personal information and students should not be made to share their medical information or the diagnosis if they don’t wish to.

Watch this video to understand how you assess overseas students’ compassionate/compelling circumstances. To watch more videos related to CRICOS requirements, go here.

Other related videos:
Reporting Student Visa breach on PRISMS
Standard 7 Overseas Student transfers

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Registered providers are bound by specific responsibilities when they fail to fulfill their obligations towards international students in Australia. Additionally, the providers are required to report defaults and take subsequent steps regarding the affected overseas students.

Providers must lodge reports via PRISMS and provide:

-Comprehensive information concerning each overseas student impacted by the default and;

-Evidence demonstrating that tuition assurance or refunds have been extended to the students. Moreover, providers must notify the affected students about the default, using written communication that is clear and presented in plain English.

Providers, if they default concerning an overseas student or an individual intending to study abroad, are required to take one of the following actions within 14 days:

-Either provide the student with an alternative course to enroll in, Or

-Refund the student according to the applicable guidelines.

In the case of an overseas student who has already paid tuition fees for a course but has not yet commenced the classes, the provider must refund the entire amount of tuition fees, which should be 100% of the total paid.

For an overseas student who has paid tuition fees and has already started attending the course at the location, the provider may retain the portion of fees that has already been spent, but they must issue a refund for the remaining unspent portion.

Watch this video to know about your Provider Default obligations. To watch more videos related to CRICOS requirements, go to: https://educationtrainingcompliance.com.au/reporting-student-visa-breach-on-prisms/

https://educationtrainingcompliance.com.au/standard-7-overseas-student-transfers/

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1. ESOS Providers – Sector Alert by ASQA – ASQA has issued a sector alert for all ESOS providers reminding that they must meet their legislative obligations under the ESOS Act and National Code to not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct when recruiting students or providing courses and not provide false or misleading information or guarantee a migration outcome in any marketing activities. Providers must also ensure that their marketing and promotion of courses and education services is not false or misleading and is consistent with Australian Consumer Law. Source: https://www.asqa.gov.au/news-events/news/sector-alert?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=June-ASQA-Update-2023&utm_content=asqa.gov.au%2Fnode%2F6087&utm_source=emailv6.comms.asqa.gov.au

2. ASQA guidance – Written agreements for overseas students & Working under Supervision ASQA has published guidance on Written Agreements with overseas students designed to assist registered providers under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) to understand their obligations when negotiating and recording written agreements with overseas students. Source: https://www.asqa.gov.au/esos-providers/esos-requirements/written-agreements-overseas-students?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=June-ASQA-Update-2023&utm_content=asqa.gov.au%2Fnode%2F6090&utm_source=emailv6.comms.asqa.gov.au

ASQA has also published updated guidance for providers when using a person who does not hold the required competencies as a trainer and assessor. Source: https://www.asqa.gov.au/guidance-resources/resources-providers/guidance-providers/working-under-supervision?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=June-ASQA-Update-2023&utm_content=asqa.gov.au%2Fnode%2F6100&utm_source=emailv6.comms.asqa.gov.au

3. Jobs and Skills Council (JSCs) – Skills Insight, the agribusiness JSC, is up and running. It will be working alongside industry and across the skills system to improve skills and training in the agribusiness and related industries. Skills Insight will be responsible for primary producers, textiles, clothing and footwear, forestry, timber and furnishing. Source: https://www.skillsimpact.com.au/news/skills-insight-jsc-now-established/

4. HSSO launches work placement video platform – The Human Services Skills Organisation (HSSO) has developed new resources to support students with their MWPs. They have launched a new work placement video platform which provides RTOs, students and employers free access to a series of resources that help those undertaking the Certificate III in Individual Support during their mandatory work placements. Source: https://hsso.org.au/resources/view/work-placement-visual-learning-resources/

5. Upcoming Industry events – ITEC23 Conference (7-9 June 2023, Gold Coast) Register here: https://www.iteca.edu.au/ITECA/Events/conference/itec23/home.aspx?hkey=2959e798-eb66-4e5e-ba1d-0fcb4755dce2 32nd National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Research Conference ‘No Frills’ (19-21 July 2023, Melbourne) Register here: https://www.ncver.edu.au/news-and-events/events/32nd-national-vet-research-conference-no-frills ESOS Framework session for International Students (20 June 2023, Perth) Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/studyperth-student-visa-information-session-tickets-637959793917

To hear the VET sector updates covered in previous videos, watch the following videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoaLpy8Ue84 and;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRu4yFO2HbY

The post Updates in VET Sector & Events – May to June 2023 appeared first on Education and Training Compliance Solutions.

In this video (VET Sector & Events – EP2), I talk about the recent updates in the VET sector since Feb 2023.

1.New resources released by ASQA

–ASQA has published new 2023 RTO and ESOS obligations checklists

– ASQA has published a new version of ASQAnet user guide

– ASQA has released the 1^st video of 2023 to their Spotlight On series – Marketing and advertising

2.Training Packages – Updates & Transitions

-A number of training packages have recently been updated.  And ASQA has granted extensions for quite a number of training products. If you are delivering training products that are in transition, it needs to be clearly reflected in your marketing and advertising materials, as ASQA has emphasised on this one in their recent Spotlight On series on Marketing and advertising.

-RTOs delivering infection control training should be aware that there has been a change to implementation date for both infection control units (HLTINF001 and HLTINF003). RTOs will now have the option to deliver either these superseded units OR the new units from 1 March 2023 to 30 June 2023. And to deliver only the new units from 1 July 2023 onwards.

3.Updates from TAC

-TAC has also approved an extended transition period for TAE qualifications (TAE40116 and TAE50216 Diploma of Training Design and Development) to 9 Dec 2024.

-TAC has launched new website.

-TAC has also started organising PD sessions for this year. The published program calendar on TAC website.

4.Austrade has launched a new Speaking English Practice Test. This is an AI-enabled free tool to assist students in testing their spoken English language skills and provides feedback on their English pronunciation. It will help prospective international students to understand their preparedness to sit an English language test.

5.After much anticipation, the bill has been introduced to the parliament to establish Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) permanently, after establishing its permanent functions and governance arrangements. Read more at DEWR website.

6.Foloowing a referral from the Minister for Skills and Training, an inquiry into the perceptions and status of VET has commenced by starting with hearing from the DEWR and JSA. The committee will be seeking further hearings over the coming months. You can read more details about the hearing and can track the updates on department’s website.

7.ASQA regulated RTOs will receive the links for link to Annual Declaration on Compliance next week on 17 April 2023 with a deadline for submission by 17 May 2023.

8.ICEF ANZA 2023 is being held at Perth, WA from April 12- 14. There will be seminars, presentations and panel discussions, featuring experts from across the industry. It is great opportunity to gain up-to-date information and news on the latest market trends and issues currently affecting Australia and New Zealand international education space.

To hear the VET sector updates covered in 1^st video, check out the first episode of Updates  in VET Sector & Events or watch it on YouTube.

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As the principal course of study is generally the final course of study covered by the overseas student’s visa, transfer requirements apply to all courses of study prior to the overseas student’s principal course. The principal course is the main course of study to be undertaken by an overseas student where the student visa has been issued for multiple courses and is usually the final course of study. The first six months is calculated as six calendar months from the date an overseas student commences their principal course. This means the transfer restriction applies to a student during all courses they undertake prior to the principal course.

But still there have been many cases where students are in breach of Standard 7 Overseas Student Transfers and are still transferring to different provider, even after they have not been released by their current provider, leading to students breaching their visa conditions and concurrent enrolments. From compliance perspective, education providers should take care of two most important things to mitigate this. Providers should educate their students and education agents on student visa condition (specifically 8202, 8518, 8533 among all other visa conditions) including consequences of breaching those student visa conditions and education provider’s Overseas Student Transfer Policy and process.

Watch this video for what you need to be aware of, in order to ensure your compliance with the Standard 7 of the National Code 2018.

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