VET News

ASQA Releases Its 2020-2022 Regulatory Strategy

ASQA has released its Regulatory Strategy for 2020-2022 outlining adjustments to its regulatory approach and the implementation of outcomes resulting from the recent rapid review of its practices and processes, and specific focus areas.

The strategy addresses a regulatory approach that encompasses risk-based regulation and support of quality and compliance through engagement and support.  This approach looks at provider risk, systemic risk and determining and addressing risk priorities.

In response to the Rapid Review of the Australian Skills Quality Authority's Regulatory Practices and Processes and the VET Reform Roadmap being finalised by Australian state and territory governments, ASQA have addressed how it intends to adjust its practices to improve its engagement with the sector and ensure that its regulatory approach is guided by necessity, risk and proportionality.  

ASQA's Regulatory Strategy for 2020-2022 also focuses on two specific areas:

1. Online learning in the VET sector

Many providers have shifted to online delivery in order to continue training while keeping staff and students safe during COVID-19 and ASQA has provided a range of education and guidance to support providers in transitioning to distance learning, and particularly online learning.  Stakeholders and providers have been optimistic about the good practice emerging as providers transition to online learning and look for innovative ways to help students gain the competencies they need to be successful in the workforce. 

The VET sector will continue to play a very important role in Australia’s economic recovery.  With skills required in the workplace already changing at an increasing rate, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to further disrupt some sectors and stimulate the need for re-skilling and up-skilling.  Online learning is very likely to continue to play a large part.

The strategic review of online learning in the VET Sector will engage with key stakeholder groups and providers to gain an understanding of the benefits, opportunities and risks posed by the transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the areas where providers may still face challenges, and where ASQA can provide further support.

2. VET in Schools

While the education of school students is the domain of various state government and non-government schooling sectors, ASQA, as the national regulator of VET in Australia, has responsibility for providers who deliver VET to secondary school students.

In 2019, ASQA wrote to the relevant education authorities in state and territory governments to provide advice about particular risks concerning VET in schools. These risks were identified through ASQA’s recent regulatory activity, and this information has been provided to these education authorities to inform their oversight of arrangements within their jurisdiction.  ASQA have also commenced consultations with other regulators and all state and territory governments, as part of a scoping study to clarify the regulatory risks associated with VET delivered in secondary schools and understand how they interact with the delivery models in each jurisdiction.

Along with a number of state and territory reviews the following research reports have addressed issues associated with the suitability of VET delivered in secondary schools:  

• Strengthening Skills: Expert Review of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training System (the Joyce review) - published in April 2019, and
• Looking to the Future: Report of the Review of Senior Secondary Pathways into Work Further Education and Training - released in June 2020.

Research points to a range of benefits for school students who undertake VET studies, however, stakeholders continue to raise concerns about the quality of delivery and outcomes, industry relevance and employer engagement. Add to this the relatively recent closure of providers with large numbers of VET in Schools enrolments has also highlighted key risks concerning VET delivered in schools.

You can access ASQA's Regulatory Strategy, supporting reports and original media release via the links below:

• ASQA Regulatory Strategy 2020-2022
• Original ASQA Media Release
• Rapid Review of the Australian Skills Quality Authority's Regulatory Practices and Processes
•  VET Reform Roadmap
• Strengthening Skills: Expert Review of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training System (the Joyce review)
• Looking to the Future: Report of the Review of Senior Secondary Pathways into Work Further Education and Training 

Date posted Aug 13, 2020