ASQA cancelled the registration of 35 providers and suspended the registration of 8 providers between 1 July and 31 December 2023, according to an update on its regulatory performance in January’s quarterly ASQA Update. It also imposed 9 conditions on registration, 16 providers entered into an agreement to rectify non-compliance and 9 providers returned to compliance.
Student welfare and VET quality features prominently in the update. The VET tip-off line has received more than 500 tip-offs in its first three months, with ASQA commencing regulatory assessment or compliance activities for approximately 70 providers following the tip-offs.
Following changes to the initial registration process and evidence requirements for new entrants to the VET market at the end of 2023, ASQA reports that is has received a high number of low-quality applications. It goes on to report that around 90% of registration applications have been found to be incomplete.
ASQA also reminds providers that the Annual Declaration on Compliance (ADC) is available for completion from 1 February and must be submitted by 29 February.
Along with the quarterly ASQA Update, a new monthly newsletter has been launched by ASQA: ASQA IQ – Integrity and Quality in Focus. January’s edition focuses on pre-enrolment and enrolment practices. It specifically looks at written agreements with students and tells providers that “we are closely monitoring the behaviour of providers enrolling international students and expect providers to operate with integrity to maintain a strong, resilient and highly respected international education and training sector in Australia”.
And, if you have new staff who have started the year with your organisation, there’s a link to online training for PRISMS.
