The Morrison Government welcomes the release of the rapid review of the Australian Skills Quality Authority’s (ASQA) governance, culture and regulatory practices and will support all 24 recommendations.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the rapid review provided a clear blueprint that would help equip vocational education and training (VET) students for jobs, especially during the recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this critical period of unprecedented disruption to the labour market we are prioritising quality improvements for VET including building confidence in ASQA’s role to ensure regulation of the sector is reasonable, transparent and effective,” Minister Cash said.
“ASQA has already taken steps to ease some of the pressure on the sector due to the
COVID-19 pandemic by reducing the regulatory burden on VET providers, ensuring more flexible approaches to training can be delivered and that students continue to receive high quality education and training.”
“In addition, the Government’s recent announcement on the waiving of ASQA fees and charges, and the delay to ASQA’s move to full cost recovery, will help maintain the cash flow of VET providers and support students to train.”
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the Morrison Government has set a strong direction for the future of VET.
“The ASQA rapid review has provided the necessary evidence to inform improvements that enhance ASQA’s regulatory approach and continue to strengthen its capacity to engage with the VET sector,” Minister Irons said.
“The report of the review details ASQA’s current operating environment, practices and policies. It highlights the many areas that are working effectively and the critical areas that can be enhanced.”
The review concluded that while ASQA’s overarching vision and purpose remain appropriate, a range of adjustments are needed to improve ASQA’s engagement and communication with the VET sector. This will ensure its regulatory approach is guided by necessity, risk and proportionality.
