The Australian Government announced a regulatory fee relief package of $27.8 million to support the education sector, including an extension of fee relief for vocational education and training (VET) providers until 1 July 2022, with further extensions until the end of 2022 for ELICOS only providers. Additional grants are included in the funding, with ELICOS-only providers to be given additional support with fee relief for the duration of 2022. The additional fee relief provides incentives for institutions and students and ensures international students are not disadvantaged from or prevented from returning to study in Australia.

The announcement means some fees and charges will be waived for:

• VET providers and accredited course owners until 1 July 2022
• 86 standalone ELICOS-only providers until 31 December 2022

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As part of the national skills reform agenda, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s Quality Reforms consultation includes a review of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 (the Standards). Feedback from the sector has shown that changes are likely to be required to ensure that:

• gaps and duplication are addressed
• the Standards and requirements are clear and support consistent interpretation by both the sector and the regulator
• the Standards give providers a clear understanding of what a quality outcome is, rather than being driven by inputs and processes
• the minimum level of quality for RTOs to operate in the sector is sufficient and delivers positive outcomes for learners.

For further information, click here.

ASQA and TEQSA will continue to apply regulatory flexibility until conditions allow for the return of a substantial proportion of international students who are currently not in Australia. ASQA and TEQSA will review this approach in mid-2022. As long as the student remained enrolled with their provider, and the assessment requirements of the course allowed it, the location of the student and the mode of delivery would not prevent the student from attaining an Australian qualification.

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The collection window for direct reporting of 2021 AVETMISS fee for-service activity to NCVER opens on 1 January 2022 and closes at 5pm (ACDT) 28 February 2022. Please check deadlines if you are reporting fee-for-service activity via a state training authority (STA), as their deadlines may be earlier. Reporting needs to be as at 31 December 2021.

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View the discussion of the early insights from the Strategic Review of Online Learning in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. This 4th feedback loop webinar in ASQA’s Strategic Review will include updates on the insights paper series, as well as practical suggestions from students, providers and the regulator on the shift to online learning.

View.

As part of ASQA’s regulatory reforms, and contribution to improving confidence in the VET sector, they have initiated a 4-year program of work to co-design a model for self-assurance with the sector. ASQA is partnering with ORIMA Research to conduct a series of focus groups and interviews with providers next year to inform the development of the model for self-assurance.

Register your interest to participate in a focus group or interview with ORIMA Research as part of the co-design process.

Register.

This product provides a summary of the outcomes and satisfaction of students who completed nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs) in Australia during 2020 using data collected between June and August 2021. In 2021, the most common reasons for undertaking training for:

• qualification completers and part-completers was ‘to get a job’, at 25.1% and 21.9% respectively
• short course completers (41.6%), short course part-completers (47.8%) and subject(s) only completers (51.3%) was ‘it was a requirement of my job’.

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The UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme was held online and across two batches in September and November 2021. The theme of this year’s programme was “Skills for the digital transformation: How TVET institutions can respond to future demands”. Each month-long session consisted of four interactive webinars that explored digital skillsets and strategies to become more resilient in responding to the digital transformation as well as planning for future TVET delivery that anticipates a quickly changing digital landscape. In a joint ILO-UNESCO-World Bank Survey on TVET and skills development during the time of COVID-19, around 66% of respondents reported that training was being provided completely remotely by their institutions.

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The latest release shows job advertisements increased 0.6% (or 1,600 ads) in November 2021 to stand at 252,300. This represents a slowing in recruitment activity growth following the recovery in job advertisement levels observed over the pervious two months, as all jurisdictions eased restrictions related to the COVID-19 delta outbreak. Nationally, job advertisement levels remain commensurate with a 13-year high. The level of recruitment activity nationally remains significantly elevated compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, up by 50.1% (or 84,200 job advertisements).

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The following training packages have been updated on training.gov.au:

• HLT: Health
  Revised 7th December 021.
• CPC: Construction, Plumbing and Services
  Revised 10th November 2021
• SHB: Hairdressing and Beauty Services
  Revised 10th November 2021

ASQA has recently shortened the transition period for the TLILIC high risk work crane operations units of competency, with the date by which all training, assessment and certification issuance must be completed being displayed.

View list of units of competency.

ASQA has recently approved an extended transition period for qualifications from the ICT, AHC, NWP, MAR & CPC Training packages. For a list of qualifications and the extended transition period end dates, please see the extended transition period qualification list. The qualifications will remain on RTOs scope of registration until the end of the extended transition period unless the RTO chooses to withdraw it from scope prior.