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VET News
Wednesday 30th of September 2026
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Hello and welcome to VET News,
Our feature article this month, Has RPL become too high risk?, takes a close look at one of the longest-running ideas in competency-based vocational education and training: that people should not be required to undertake training for skills and knowledge they already possess.
Recognition of Prior Learning has always been built on a sound principle. The difficulty is that, over time, the formal RPL pathway has become increasingly difficult for many RTOs to deliver efficiently. Assessment requirements have become more explicit, evidence and decision-making expectations have increased, funding arrangements do not always reflect the professional work involved, and poor-quality RPL practice has understandably attracted significant regulatory scrutiny. At the same time, reported government-funded RPL activity has fallen dramatically from its peak.
The purpose of the article is not to argue for weaker assessment or to suggest that competency standards should somehow be relaxed. Quite the opposite. A nationally recognised qualification must continue to be based on a sound and defensible assessment decision. The question is whether we have made the process of recognising existing competence more complicated than it needs to be.
I think there is value in getting back to a much simpler distinction: recognition should determine whether training is needed, while assessment should determine whether competence exists.
That leads to the idea explored in the article of a more practical assessment-only pathway. Where an experienced person can demonstrate a credible basis for bypassing unnecessary training, they could proceed directly to assessment using the RTO’s normal validated assessment tools and competency standards. Where gaps exist, those gaps can then be trained and assessed.
This does not replace traditional RPL, which will remain appropriate in many circumstances. It simply asks whether experienced people should always be required to progress through a specialised retrospective RPL process when direct assessment may provide a clearer, more reliable and more efficient way of establishing competence.
After more than thirty years of RPL policy, it may be time to return to the principle that gave recognition its purpose in the first place: identify what people already know and can do, avoid unnecessary training, and assess competence properly.
You can access the article here: https://newberyconsulting.com.au/has-rpl-become-too-high-risk/
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 Corporate Plan 2026-27 published
31st August 2026
ASQA has published its Corporate Plan 2026–27, outlining their purpose, strategic objectives, operating context, key activities and performance measures. The Plan supports transparency and accountability in ASQA’s regulation of the VET sector.
It reflects a new chapter for Australia’s VET sector—one shaped by significant transformation across the sector, its regulatory framework and ASQA.
Click here to find out more
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VET Data Streamlining program showcases
The VDS program showcase held on 9th July 2026 provided a public briefing on the publication of amendments to the Data Provision Requirements (DPRs) and the new VET Information Standard. The session marked an important milestone ahead of the Stage 1 go-live in October 2026.
The showcase generated strong sector engagement, with questions and responses now available online. A new channel has also been established for sector members to provide direct feedback on the new DPRs.
Click here to find out more
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Labor shuts down course linked to student visa misuse
The Australian Government has stopped new international students from enrolling in the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning), saying the course was being used by some students mainly to extend their stay in Australia rather than for genuine study.
Transfers increased sharply from 510 in 2020 to around 4,000 in 2025, with 77% coming from other higher-education courses. This allowed students to switch courses without necessarily applying for a new student visa.
Existing students can complete the course, but providers cannot recruit new international students. The move is part of a broader crackdown on student-visa misuse and is the government’s first use of new powers to cancel a course.
Click here to find out more
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Cancellation under ESOS Act of BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)
4th September 2026
ASQA has announced that the Assistant Minister for International Education has issued a legislative instrument placing BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) (GDML) under automatic suspension and cancellation provisions of the ESOS Act.
From 5th of October 2026, CRICOS providers will no longer be able to issue new Confirmation of Enrolments (CoEs), enrol new international students, or commence international students who have not already started the GDML.
Students who have already commenced the course by the 5th of October 2026 may continue their studies. The change does not affect domestic students.
Providers are also required to meet their ESOS obligations, including promptly informing affected students, addressing placement and refund requirements, and ensuring education agents provide accurate information.
This measure forms part of broader Australian Government efforts to strengthen the integrity of the international education and student visa system.
Click here to find out more
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AVETMISS Reporting- Quarter 3
Reminder if you are submitting fee-for-service data directly to NCVER that the quarterly (Q3) January to September 2026 is open from 1st of November till 16th of November 2026.
If you submit your fee-for-service data via a State Training Authority (STA), please check directly with them for their submission dates.
Click here to find out more
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AUS Tender
Provider of Certificate IV in Procurement and Contracting for the Pathways to Procurement program
ATM ID: FIN-2026-27-00074
Agency: Department of Finance
Category: Education and Training Services
Description: Delivery of multiple sessions of Certificate IV in Procurement and Contracting qualification
Close Date & Time:
27-Oct-2026 2:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
Location: ACT & Canberra
ATM Type: Request for Tender
Description:
The Commonwealth of Australia, as represented by the Department of Finance (Finance) is seeking to procure the delivery of Certificate IV in Procurement and Contracting – PSP40616, or the superseding qualification, three (3) times each calendar year over the Contract Term, ending on or before 2 February 2029. These rounds may be delivered in person in Canberra or virtually using Microsoft Teams.
Timeframe for Delivery: 2 February 2027 – 2 February 2029
Click here to find out more
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Pathways to Success
Jobs & Skills Month
20th October – 20th November 2026
Jobs & Skills Month brings together people from across the jobs and skills system to promote collaboration and collective action. Led by Jobs and Skills Australia, the new not-for-profit initiative highlights the vital role the jobs and skills system plays in supporting individuals, communities, industries and the Australian economy. Providing a national platform for organisations to share knowledge, showcase innovation and strengthen partnerships that support Australians to succeed.
Click here to find out more
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NCVER DataBuilder has been upgraded!
The new DataBuilder makes exploring and analysing VET data easier and more user-friendly, with:
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A simpler, intuitive interface
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Faster search and sorting
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Save and share customised views
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Easy copy-and-paste of data tables
A useful update for anyone working with VET data and reporting.
Click here to find out more
If you missed the DataBuilder launch webinar the recording is now available.
Click here to watch the new webinar
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Roadshow 2026
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) is hitting the road in October and November 2026, bringing together stakeholders to explore the latest labour market trends, workforce challenges and emerging opportunities.
Hear from JSA, government, industry and local experts through presentations and panel discussions, with insights into Australia’s jobs, skills and training landscape.
The Roadshow is an opportunity for government, industry, education, training, business, unions and community representatives to connect, share ideas and learn more about JSA’s work.
Click here to find out more
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National Safe Work Month
October is National Safe Work Month, an opportunity for employers across Australia to renew their commitment to safe and healthy workplaces.
Throughout October, National Safe Work Month will explore 4 weekly focus areas:
- Week 1 (1-11 October): For life – why WHS matters
- Week 2 (12-18 October): For health – what WHS protects
- Week 3 (19-25 October): For the future – the long-term impact
- Week 4 (26-31 October): For all – action across all workplaces.
Click here to find out more
The 2026 National Safe Work Month activity kit provides workplaces with practical activities and discussion prompts to help turn conversations about WHS into action.
To download the NSWM 2026 – activity kit click here
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Reports, Articles, Papers and Research
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Industry trends: Aged care
The aged care sector supports older Australians across a range of occupations, including nursing, allied health and residential care administration. It is a rapidly growing sector shaped by demographic change and significant regulatory reform.
Increasing demand has highlighted critical workforce and skills shortages, making workforce development essential to maintaining quality care now and into the future.
VOCEDplus industry trends issue examines the current aged care workforce, key labour and skills gaps, and initiatives underway to address these challenges.
Click here to find out more
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Navigating Life with Low Literacy and Numeracy-New Results from the 2023 Survey of Adult Skills
1st July 2026
Nearly one in three adults across OECD economies lacks the foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed for everyday life and work. This is a significant and persistent challenge, with implications for social cohesion, democratic resilience and economic performance.
Click here to find out more
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International Labour Market Update – August 2026
4th September 2026
The August International Labour Market Update shows weakening labour market conditions across many advanced economies, with rising unemployment, slower job growth and fewer labour shortages.
It also highlights slower global economic growth in 2026, while the OECD expects labour force participation growth to decline across its member countries.
Click here to find out more
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Apprentices and trainees: March quarter 2026
15th September 2026
Drawing on the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, this report presents apprenticeship and traineeship data as at 31st March 2026.
There were 289,090 active apprentice and trainee contracts nationally, a 9.0% decline (down 28,460) from March 2025. Almost three-quarters were in trade occupations.
- Trade contracts: decreased by 5.6% to 216,000.
- Non-trade contracts: decreased by 17.6% to 73,060.
Click here to find out more
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VOCEDplus Landmark Documents Timeline Updated
The VOCEDplus team has expanded its Landmark Documents Timeline (originally from 1954 to 2010), adding six key publications from 2010–2020.
Part of the VET Knowledge Bank, the timeline tracks influential publications that have shaped Australian VET policy, reform and system development.
The timeline is complemented by 10 thematic essays exploring the impact of these landmark documents on Australia’s VET system.
Click here to find out more
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Pathways to success in regional Australia
22nd September 2026
Jobs & Skills Month, under the theme Pathways to Success, recognises that people take diverse pathways through education, training and employment. It highlights the importance of a connected jobs and skills system that responds to local needs, particularly across regional Australia. The month provides an opportunity to share regional experiences, showcase initiatives, strengthen connections, and explore how we can create clearer pathways that support the aspirations of local communities.
Click here to find out more
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VET qualification completion rates 2025
29th September 2026
The NCVER’s VET Qualification Completion Rates 2025 report shows that 48.9% of nationally recognised VET qualifications commenced in 2021 were completed within four years, a slight decrease from 49.5% for the 2020 cohort. Completion rates varied depending on qualification level, funding source, location, student demographics and training area. Diploma-level qualifications and above had the highest completion rate at 56.7%, while Certificate I qualifications had the lowest at 41.3%. The report also highlights differences across states and territories and notes that factors such as student circumstances, employment requirements, training quality, flexibility and learner support can influence completion outcomes.
Click here to find out more
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3.3 Conference: World Conference on TVET 10th World Conference on TVET (WoCTVET2026)
14th October 2026
Venue: Novatel, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Organiser: Faculty of Technical and Vocational and MyRIVET, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
The conference, themed “Next Gen Workforce: Reimagine TVET for the Future,” focuses on advancing TVET through technology, innovation, employability, sustainability, inclusivity, and industry collaboration. It provides a platform to share research and best practices addressing Industry 4.0/5.0, future skills, digital and green technologies, pedagogy, governance, and quality assurance.
Sub-Themes:
- Advanced Technology, Engineering & Green Innovation
- Global Skills, Employability & Talent Mobility
- Inclusive & Sustainable TVET Ecosystem
- Policy, Governance & Industry Partnership
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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ACDEVEG 2026 conference
3rd – 4th December 2026
Ballarat, Victoria
The 12th Annual Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG) Conference will explore the theme:
Leading Learning at the Frontiers of Change: The Essential Role of the VET Teaching Workforce.
This conference offers a valuable platform for educators, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, and VET practitioners to engage in meaningful discussions on the future of vocational education and training, as well as the evolving role of the VET teaching workforce.
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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