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VET News
Wednesday 25th of February 2026
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Hello and welcome to VET News,
I am sure you are all over it, but just in case, a final reminder to submit any outstanding AVETMISS report before the end of the month.
The submission window remains open until Saturday, 28 February 2026. NCVER’s Client Services team will only be available until 5:00pm (ACDT) on Friday, 27 February 2026. Remember that after you get an error-free report back, you still need to submit the files. Nothing worse than a client copping an avoidable fine because they were confused about this.
Thanks for the amazing feedback on the article I published on 29 January, Strategies vs Practices. I had a number of people reach out to say they wished they had read it before a recent audit, and others told me they have an audit coming up and found the guidance invaluable. I really appreciate those messages. They are helpful and they confirm that we are focusing on the issues that matter day to day.
In this edition of VET News, I am sharing a new article, VET in the Age of AI and Automation. I have been working on this for a number of months. The pace of technological change is accelerating, and it is already reshaping how work gets done. This is a practical brief on what that means for VET demand, what the training industry will need, and what RTOs should be doing now to be ready for 2027. There are some wild predictions out there at the moment. I have tried to strip out the hype and focus on what you can control. I hope it helps.
Good training,
Joe Newbery
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Compliance & Regulatory News
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The 2026 Annual Declaration on Compliance (ADC)
The 2026 Annual Declaration on Compliance (ADC) will open on 3rd March 2026 and close on 31st March 2026. The ADC confirms that your RTO has systematically monitored compliance with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, including Outcome Standards and Compliance Requirements, reporting any issues and how they were addressed.
Beyond regulatory obligations, the ADC demonstrates your RTO’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
For the 2026 ADC, providers must declare compliance with the 2025 Standards (effective 1 July 2025). ASQA’s Practice Guides, with embedded self-assurance questions, support understanding of these requirements. Providers should review these alongside the legislation; the previous Self-assessment Tool is no longer required.
Click here to find out more
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2026 ASQA Sector Workshop Series
Building on the success of last year’s workshops, ASQA will run a series of face-to-face workshops for providers in March and April 2026. These sessions will cover:
- providers’ progress in meeting the 2025 Standards
- practical guidance on maintaining compliance
- the responsible use of artificial intelligence in VET delivery
Provider CEOs will receive a link to buy tickets via email.
Dates:
Brisbane – 10 & 11 March
Canberra – 18 March
Darwin – 31 March
Adelaide – 1 April
Melbourne – 21 & 22 April
Hobart – 23 April
Sydney – 28 & 29 April
Perth – 30 April
Click here to find out more
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Public consultation now open: ASQA fees and charges 2026-27
ASQA has released its draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) 2026–27 for public consultation.
The updated CRIS follows a review of ASQA’s cost recovery model to reflect recent regulatory reforms, new functions, and improvements in regulatory efficiency since ASQA moved to full cost recovery in July 2022. The review aims to simplify the model, improve transparency, and ensure all regulatory activities are accurately costed.
ASQA is seeking stakeholder feedback, including any potential barriers or unintended impacts on providers and the wider VET sector. Submissions can be made via the online consultation form, which closes on 27 February 2026.
Final fees, charges and the confirmed CRIS will commence from 1 July 2026.
Click here to find out more
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AVETMISS Reporting 2025
Reminder for RTOs submitting fee-for-service annual data
The collection period opens on 1st January 2026 till 28th February 2026 for RTOs submitting fee-for-service annual data.
While the 2025 annual submission window remains open until Saturday, 28th February 2026, please note that NCVER’s Client Services team will only be available until 5:00pm (ACDT) on Friday, 27th February 2026.
If your fee-for-service data is submitted through a state training authority, please confirm their specific submission dates directly with them.
Click here to find out more
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Exempt/Aggregate Reporting
The deadline for RTOs to report aggregate data is 31st March 2026. Aggregate reporting applies where a VET Regulator has granted an exemption from full AVETMISS reporting under Section 5 of the National VET Data Policy.
If your RTO has an exemption but has submitted, or will submit, full AVETMISS data for 2025, please notify AVETMISS Support Client Services.
Click here to find out more
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Tenders ACT
Provision of Boot Camp Training for the Alexander Maconchie Centre (AMC)
Directorate/Agency Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Type: Request for Tender
Status: Open
Number: PIJC0011075
UNSPSC: 86000000 – Education and Training Services
Region(s): Australian Capital Territory
Description: The Alexander Maconchie Centre (AMC) is the ACT’s only correctional facility, accommodating detainees across all security classifications. As part of ACTCS’ commitment to health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation, the Detainee Services Unit delivers Boot Camp Training Courses under a Purchase Order arrangement.
Delivered by a qualified instructor, the program focuses on physical fitness, discipline, and personal development, helping detainees improve health, build resilience, and support positive behavioural change.
Continuing this program is important to maintaining effective rehabilitation services at the AMC, improving detainee engagement, supporting reintegration, and contributing to safer custodial environments and reduced recidivism.
Closing Date: 24th March 2026, 2:00 pm
Click here to find out more
Barista and Hospitality Training for Detainees at the Alexander Maconchie Centre (AMC)
Directorate/Agency Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Type: Request for Tender
Status: Open
Number: PIJC0011183
UNSPSC: 86000000 – Education and Training Services
Region(s): Australian Capital Territory
Prequalification Category: Supplier is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
Description: ACTCS is committed to providing detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) with education and training that supports successful reintegration into the community.
Barista and hospitality training was previously delivered at the AMC under a 12-month contract that expired on 5th January 2025. Continuing this training is essential, as it equips participants with practical skills in preparing and serving coffee, maintaining equipment, and engaging with customers—enhancing their employment readiness across multiple industries.
Closing date: 24th March 2026, 2:00 pm
Click here to find out more
First Aid Training for Detainees at the AMC
Directorate/Agency Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Type: Request for Tender
Status: Open
Number: PiJC0010261
UNSPSC: 86000000 – Education and Training Services
Note: this approach to market is Territory Funded Work covered by Secure Local Jobs Code.
Region(s): Australian Capital Territory
Prequalification Category: 1.SLJC Certified 2. Attachment G–FSEC Response Schedule completed and submitted 3. Supplier is RTO
Description: ACTCS is committed to providing detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) with education and training that supports their development and safety.
First Aid training is a Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirement for detainees employed at the AMC. Continuing this training ensures participants gain essential skills to respond to medical incidents, contributing to safer workplaces and improving employment readiness across various industries.
Closing Date: 24th March 2026, 2:00 pm
Click here to find out more
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Government-funded students and courses: January to September 2025
2nd February 2026
NCVER’s latest report shows that 1,027,380 students undertook government-funded training in Australia between January and September 2025, down 72,225 (6.6%) from the same period in 2024, but still above pre-COVID levels in 2019. Student numbers declined across all states and territories except South Australia (up 4.0%) and Western Australia (up 1.6%).
The data covers all government-funded training across TAFE, private and community providers, with updates continuing as further submissions are made.
Click here to find out more
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Data for January 2026 has now been released on the NERO dashboard.
The Nowcast of Employment by Region and Occupation (NERO) series provides regional estimates of occupational employment that were previously only available every five years through the ABS Census of Population and Housing.
Click here to find out more
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Artificial intelligence for small business: Managing cyber security risks
AI adoption is rapidly increasing among small businesses, helping automate tasks, improve insights, and enhance customer experience. However, it also introduces cyber security risks such as data breaches, unreliable outputs, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
To support businesses, a new guide—developed with the New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NZ) and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) —provides practical recommendations, real-world case studies, secure chatbot deployment examples, and a cyber security checklist to help manage AI risks confidently.
Click here to find out more
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January 2026 Policy and Reports Update
30th January 2026
In this policy update, Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) highlight key reports and initiatives announced in late December 2025 and January 2026 that impact the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism, Hospitality, and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors, as well as the broader economic environment.
Click here to find out more
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Internet Vacancy Index (IVI)
18th February 2026
The Internet Vacancy Index (IVI), compiled monthly by Jobs and Skills Australia, tracks online job advertisements by occupation, skill level, and location. Last month, Australia’s job ads rose 3.6% (seasonally adjusted), with the strongest growth among Sales Workers and Labourers. New South Wales recorded the largest increase.
Over the past year, job ads declined by 0.9%, with sharper falls in capital cities than in regional areas.
Click here to find out more
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Reports, Articles, Papers and Research
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Industry trends: Residential construction sector
The residential construction sector covers the planning, building, and renovation of homes, from houses to large apartment developments, and is a major contributor to Australia’s economy and jobs.
Under the National Housing Accord, governments have committed to delivering 1.2 million new homes over five years from mid-2024. Achieving this will require significant growth in the skilled trades workforce, including electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and bricklayers.
This Industry Trends report examines the current workforce, key skill shortages, and actions underway to help the sector meet this target.
Click here to find out more
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How Workers Use, or Don’t Use, their Skills in the Workplace
Drawing on the OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), this report highlights a growing gap between workers’ skills and how much they are used, with many highly skilled people underutilised. It shows how effective skills use affects wages, productivity, inequality, and job satisfaction, and examines how skills use has changed over the past decade across countries and groups. The findings underscore the economic and social costs of skills mismatches and the need for policies to better align skills with workplace opportunities.
Click here to find out more
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Making AI Work: Why Investing in Skills Matters
Artificial intelligence is often framed around technological breakthroughs, advanced algorithms, and large-scale investment. However, its true potential depends just as much on people’s skills as on the technology itself. This blog explores how skills shortages are constraining AI adoption, how AI is transforming employer demand, and why targeted training and upskilling are essential to ensure AI delivers stronger outcomes for both businesses and workers.
Click here to find out more
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AI won’t wait, and neither can Australia’s skills system
By Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Future Skills Organisation
28th January 2026
Australia has a valuable opportunity to build a more competitive and resilient AI-enabled economy, but success depends on how quickly skills capability grows. The key risk is not rapid AI advancement, but the slow spread of AI skills, which could limit productivity gains.
Closing this gap requires action from employers, training providers, and governments. Strengthening AI skills will help businesses adapt, training stay relevant, and workers use AI to expand opportunity rather than be left behind.
Click here to find out more
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Training Packages Updates
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The following training packages has been updated on training.gov.au:
AMP: Australian Meat Processing Training Package
2nd February 2026
Qualifications-
2 added, 1 updated and 3 removed
Click here to find out more
Skill sets-
11 skill set added, 1 updated and 9 removed
Click here to find out more
Unit of competency-
153 units added, 1 updated and 3 removed
Click here to find out more
Imported unit of competency-
6 units added, 6 updated and 66 removed
Click here to find out more
NWP: National Water Training Package
4th February 2026
Qualifications-
1 added, 3 updated and 1 removed
Click here to find out more
Imported unit of competency-
26 units added, 4 updated and 27 removed
Click here to find out more
CPP: Property Services Training Package
4th February 2026
Qualifications-
4 added, 3 updated and 4 removed
Click here to find out more
Unit of competency-
0 units added, 0 updated and 8 removed
Click here to find out more
Imported unit of competency-
4 units added,11 updated and 3 removed
Click here to find out more
CPC: Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
4th February 2026
Qualifications-
2 added, 1 updated and 2 removed
Click here to find out more
Unit of competency-
4 units added, 1 updated and 1 removed
Click here to find out more
Imported unit of competency-
2 units added,5 updated and 2 removed
Click here to find out more
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Register interest in the ‘Strengthening teaching capability in diverse learning environments’ workshops
February – March 2026
Various Locations
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is conducting in-person workshops to explore:
- Managing and supporting a diverse learning environment including psychosocial impacts
- Supporting educators to build upon their teaching practices
- Implementing new teaching skills: moving from theory to practice
Click here to find out more
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AVETRA 2026 Conference
23rd – 24th April 2026 – Brisbane
The Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) promotes high-quality VET research, builds research and evaluation capability, and creates opportunities to share ideas and insights. Its annual conference is designed to be informative, practical and thought-provoking, while supporting professional networking. The 2026 conference theme is Schisms and Continuums: Understanding Sustainability, Change and Identity in Vocational Education.
Click here to find out more
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TDA Convention 2026 | Power of TAFE
5th–7th May 2026
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
TDA Convention 2026 – Power of TAFE is Australia’s premier national event celebrating the impact, innovation and strength of TAFE in the education and training sector. TDA Convention 2026 will bring together leaders, educators, policymakers and industry partners to explore how TAFE powers skills, jobs and innovation for Australia’s future.
Click here to find out more
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NAEN 2026 National Conference
27th-29th May 2026- Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru
The National Apprentice Employment Network 2026 National Conference (NAEN 2026) will be held at Ayers Rock Resort near Uluru with the theme ‘Skills in the Heart’, the event will feature expert speakers and discussions on key issues shaping the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Delegates will hear from leaders across industry, government, academia, and training, making this a key event for those involved in supporting and employing apprentices and trainees.
Click here to find out more
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2026 Skills Conference
16th June 2026- Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
The 2026 Skills Conference is a leading annual event for the VET sector, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and educators under the theme “Unleash the Potential.”
The program includes keynote presentations from Jobs and Skills Australia and the NSW Ministry, expert panels on economic trends and apprenticeship innovation, and practical sessions on digital wellbeing and social impact through training. The conference offers valuable opportunities for networking and professional development, supporting the VET sector to stay aligned with Australia’s evolving workforce and future economy.
Click here to find out more
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2026
24th – 26th June 2026 – University of Tasmania, Hobart
The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET), in partnership with the University of Tasmania, invites you to attend the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2026: From Ideas to Impact: Sharing, Engaging, and Co-Designing Practice.
The symposium will bring together academics, educators, practitioners, and people with disability from across the Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training sectors. Attendance is available both in person and online.
Abstract submissions close Monday 2nd March, with early bird pricing available until 4th May.
Click here to find out more
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VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
13th – 14th August 2026
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Convenor: VET Development Centre
For over 20 years, the VET Development Centre has proudly delivered one of Australia’s premier teaching and learning conferences for the Vocational Education and Training sector. Building on this strong tradition, the upcoming conference will feature high-profile keynote speakers, dynamic presentations, panel discussions, concurrent interactive workshops, and research sessions.
Click here to find out more
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National VET Conference
29th – 30th October 2026
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
The 2026 National VET Conference will offer a diverse program of plenary and concurrent elective sessions. Under the theme ‘Forging a Trusted Future’, the conference will provide valuable professional development opportunities, access to product and service providers, and the chance to connect and network with peers from across Australia.
Click here to find out more
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