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VET News
Thursday 30th of July 2026
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Hello and welcome to VET News,
Imagine that you have submitted your RTO’s renewal of registration application and are waiting to hear how ASQA intends to assess it. One day, an email arrives requesting an initial package of evidence. Among the various items is a request for evidence of your:
“Training Support Services to demonstrate how your organisation provides VET students access to support services, trainers and assessors and other staff to support their progress throughout the training product.”
What would you send?
This is the point where many RTO managers would start looking for their Student Support Policy, Student Handbook and list of counselling or community referral services. Those documents may be relevant, but they do not necessarily demonstrate training support. In-fact, I have found that many organisations do not have a good understanding of the requirement for “training support”. The most often asked question is “Is that the same as student support?”.
Training support is a distinct requirement under Standard 2.3. It is concerned primarily with how the RTO helps students learn, progress through their course and meet the requirements of the training product. It begins with course design, continues through enrolment and training delivery, and becomes more targeted when a student is not progressing as expected. This is not a hypothetical request. We are seeing ASQA ask for this evidence very early in the renewal of registration process. If you are not completely sure about what you would provide, I recommend reading our new article:
Training support across the student journey
The article explains the difference between training support and broader student support and provides a practical framework for considering the requirement across course design, enrolment, training delivery, progress monitoring, targeted intervention and review. It is written specifically with small and medium-sized RTOs in mind, where most training support is provided through the normal work of trainers rather than through a large student services department. We hope this is helpful.
Good training,
Joe Newbery
Check out our RTO Policies Procedures and Forms Package
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Compliance & Regulatory News
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ASQA’s revised Regulatory Assessment and Monitoring Approach now available
July 2026
ASQA has updated its Regulatory Assessment and Monitoring Approach, outlining how it applies risk-based regulation to promote quality outcomes for students and protect the integrity of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.
The revised approach includes:
- a broader range of regulatory activities
- a four-category framework for performance assessments
- tiered pathways for compliance resolution
- targeted regulatory activities, including site visits, specialised financial viability assessments, and independent validation of student assessments.
Click here to find out more
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Annual Registration Charge (ARC)
Reminder to pay your Annual Registration Charge (ARC) invoice by 31st July 2026.
The Annual Registration Charge (ARC) is an annual fee paid by all VET and ASQA-regulated ESOS providers to recover the costs of ASQA’s sector-wide regulatory activities.
Click here to find out more
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AVETMISS reporting- Quarter 2 reporting
The submission period for Q2 2026 fee-for-service activity data (covering January to June 2026) will be open from 1st to 17th August 2026 for organisations submitting directly to NCVER.
Organisations that submit fee-for-service data through a State Training Authority (STA) should ensure they are aware of and comply with their relevant STA submission deadlines.
Click here to find out more
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USI transcript update tool – 2025 activity
The USI Transcript Update Tool is available to add or update 2025 AVETMISS activity.
It cannot be used for training with 2026 dates. Activity for 2026 must be reported through your usual reporting process.
Click here to find out more
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Launch of the VET Information Standard website
The VET Information Standard website has now been launched, marking a key milestone in the VET Data Streamlining (VDS) program.
The new VET Information Standard replaces AVETMISS with a simpler, more modern approach to VET data collection and reporting. Developed by NCVER in partnership with governments and regulators, it will provide richer, more timely data to support better decision-making and improved outcomes.
The website will help RTOs, SMS vendors and other stakeholders understand the changes and prepare for the transition.
Click here to find out more
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AUS Tender
COMCAR Driver Training
ATM ID: FIN-2025-26-00519
Agency: Department of Finance – PD
Category: 86000000 – Education and Training Services
Close Date & Time: 24th July 2026 2:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
Location: ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS
Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart
ATM Type: Request for Tender
Description: Provision of driver training services nationally to train and assess COMCAR’s driving workforce.
Timeframe for Delivery: Three-year contract commencing 11th January 2027
Click here to find out more
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2026 National Student Outcomes Survey still open.
Around one million VET students will be invited to participate in Australia’s largest VET student survey, managed by NCVER.
The National Student Outcomes Survey collects feedback on training experiences, satisfaction, employment outcomes, and further study pathways from students who completed training in 2025. The survey runs from 1st June to 12th August 2026.
RTOs are encouraged to promote the survey to students to help improve participation and survey outcomes.
Click here to find out more
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2026 National Safe Work Month campaign kit – now available
24th June 2026
Safe Work Australia has released the 2026 National Safe Work Month campaign kit, providing practical resources to help workplaces promote work health and safety throughout October.
Use the kit to raise awareness, encourage participation, and start meaningful WHS conversations. Whether you’re planning a workplace event or looking for simple ways to get involved, the resources make it easy to share consistent safety messages and keep safe and healthy work front of mind.
Click here to find out more
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Australian Jobs 2026
For more than 30 years, this report has provided Australians with valuable insights into the labour market and the future of work. The 2026 edition explores workforce trends, in-demand and transferable skills, and the diverse career pathways available, helping people make informed decisions about careers, training and employment.
Click here to find out more
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2026-27 budgets
The Budget highlights section of the VOCEDplus VET Knowledge Bank summarises VET-related funding announced in federal, state and territory budgets, with links to relevant budget papers.
Funding is organised into four key areas: apprenticeships and traineeships, industry and employment, national agreements, and training providers and programs.
Budget highlights are available for:
Commonwealth
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Click here to find out more
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ASQA welcomes intent to progress key skills priorities of Australian and Indian governments
10th July 2026
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has signed a Letter of Intent with India’s National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), strengthening collaboration between the two countries’ vocational education and training (VET) sectors.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to quality skills development and will support collaboration in areas including regulation, quality assurance, capability development and VET system improvement. It will also encourage cooperation on qualification recognition, digital credentials, occupational standards and labour market insights.
Click here to find out more
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New AI and digital technologies guidance now available
Safe Work Australia has released guidance on the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in the workplace.
The guidance outlines the opportunities, risks and work health and safety (WHS) considerations, helping employers manage potential physical and psychological risks. Under the model WHS laws, employers must ensure AI and digital technologies are introduced and managed safely to protect workers and others.
Click here to find out more
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Reports, Articles, Papers and Research
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Apprentices and trainees 2025: December quarter
22nd June 2026
New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows trade apprenticeship commencements increased by 12.5% in the December 2025 quarter compared to the same period in 2024.
Growth was strongest in key shortage occupations, including Electricians (+18.2%), Plumbers (+12.2%), Carpenters and Joiners (+11.9%), and Motor Mechanics (+8.5%). Construction trades also recorded strong growth, with commencements rising 11.7%.
Non-trade commencements fell by 2.3%, although significant increases were recorded for Welfare Support Workers and Aged and Disabled Carers.
Click here to find out more
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ICT job roles and skills in the intelligent world
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the global workforce, reshaping job roles and driving demand for new skills across industries. While the impact is already evident in the technology sector, AI is also redefining finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and other industries. As AI becomes a key driver of economic competitiveness, organisations that fail to adapt risk falling behind.
This white paper examines the changing skill requirements and job roles for ICT (Information and Communications Technology) professionals, drawing on insights from 900 IT and business leaders worldwide. It also includes an appendix highlighting 50 ICT roles most affected by AI, along with the skills needed to support the future of intelligent business.
Click here to find out more
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Government-funded students and courses 2025
30th June 2026
New NCVER data shows government-funded training numbers declined across most Australian states and territories in 2025, highlighting ongoing shifts in the VET landscape. While enrolments fell overall, the data reflects changing funding priorities and differing jurisdictional responses to workforce and skills needs.
Click here to find out more
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A more joined-up tertiary system: Discussion paper
26th May 2026
In its submission to ATEC’s discussion paper A More Joined-Up Tertiary System, NCVER identified three priorities to strengthen the proposed approach:
- expand data to better link public investment, learner participation, and long-term social and economic outcomes through enhanced funding and additional state and territory data
- ensure governance and data access arrangements are practical, trusted, and proportionate
- improve alignment of data standards, reporting, and outcomes across the tertiary sector.
Click here to find out more
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Integrating AI in TVET: a practical guide for institutions
This practical guide helps TVET institutions develop a clear and cohesive approach to integrating AI while ensuring that educational purpose, human agency, equity, and safety remain central to decision-making. It supports institutions in harnessing the opportunities AI offers with a balanced understanding of its potential, limitations, impacts, and associated risks.
Click here to find out more
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Future-proofing TVET: strategies for digital transformation and AI integration; discussion paper
This discussion paper builds on the ongoing work of UNESCO-UNEVOC, particularly through its Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET (BILT) project. It is informed by discussions and insights from the BILT Bridging Event held in May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which brought together TVET stakeholders from around the world to exchange perspectives on policies for digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence in TVET.
Click here to find out more
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Skills in the AI age
8th July 2026
Like the steam engine and electricity before it, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming society, reshaping work, productivity and labour markets. While AI offers significant opportunities for economic growth and new forms of work, it also presents challenges, including job displacement and changing skill demands. The impacts vary across sectors, regions and occupations, requiring targeted policy responses to support workforce adaptation. This paper explores how AI is changing labour markets and skills, and outlines policy approaches to maximise its benefits while addressing its social and economic risks.
Click here to find out more
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Total VET students and courses 2025
22nd July 2026
More than 5.1 million Australians participated in nationally recognised VET in 2025, maintaining record levels of overall participation. While enrolments in full qualifications declined by over 5%—particularly in Certificate III and IV courses—there was strong growth in shorter courses and stand-alone subjects, especially through fee-for-service training. Participation also increased among school students, people in regional and remote areas, and people with disability, highlighting a VET sector that continues to support a broad and diverse range of learners while responding to changing training needs.
Click here to find out more
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Apprentice and trainee completion rates 2025
28th July 2026
The latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that trade apprentice completion rates continue to improve across Australia.
For apprentices who commenced training in 2019, the completion rate increased to 58.7%, continuing the positive trend seen since the 2015 cohort.
The data also highlights changing apprenticeship pathways, with more apprentices taking longer than the traditional four years to complete their training.
Strong gains were recorded across several major trades, with electrician completion rates rising to 71.7% (up from 68.5%) and carpenter and joiner completion rates increasing to 63.7% (up from 60.9%).
Click here to find out more
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New historical special collection now available
VOCEDplus is preserving Australia’s VET history by digitising historical curriculum documents and providing free online access with copyright permission.
Following a request from General Manufacturing, historical curriculum materials—many developed before training packages—are being digitised to support research and provide valuable insights into the evolution of teaching and learning in the VET sector.
The first collections now available via the historical collection include:
- Food Industry
- Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industry
This is an ongoing project, with additional historical curriculum collections to be added over time.
Click here to find out more
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Australian Industry Group Webinar- Apprenticeships: What’s really going on?
5th August, online 11 am – 12 pm
Cost- Free
Apprenticeships remain one of Australia’s most effective training pathways, combining paid work with hands-on learning to build skills and careers.
While apprentice completions are near record highs, commencements have been declining for several years, highlighting the need to attract more apprentices, trainees and employers into the system.
Join the expert panel as they explore the latest trends in commencements and completions, and discuss the actions needed to ensure Australia’s apprenticeship system can meet future workforce and skills needs.
Click here to find out more
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VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
13th – 14th August 2026
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition 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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The Australian VET Conference
18th – 19th March 2027 – Sydney Masonic Centre
Under the theme VET Forward: Leading the Future of Skills, Learning and Workforce Capability, this conference brings together RTO leaders, compliance professionals and trainers to explore strategies that extend beyond regulatory compliance and support sector-wide capability building. Featuring six dedicated learning streams and more than 40 sessions, the event provides valuable insights into emerging educational technologies, workforce development and First Nations community learning initiatives, with both in-person and virtual participation available.
Click here to find out more
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