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

The post Updates in VET Sector – March 2024 appeared first on Education and Training Compliance Solutions.

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

The post Updates in VET Sector – Feb 2024 appeared first on Education and Training Compliance Solutions.