A new Integrity Unit will be established within the national VET regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), bolstered by a $37.8 million investment to ensure it is adequately equipped and has the technology and data matching capability to identify and respond proactively to unethical and potentially illegal activity.
In a joint release issued by Ministers O’Neill (Home Affairs), Clare (Education) and O’Connor (Skills and Training), it says, “Boosting ASQA’s capacity will enable a compliance blitz on unlawful behaviour, targeting non-genuine providers who may be exploiting international students.”
Minister O’Connor (Skills and Training) said, “This boost to the VET regulator is an important next step in strengthening the integrity of our tertiary education sector.”
How will it work?
The integrity unit will work in conjunction with Home Affairs, the Australian Federal Police and other Commonwealth and State law enforcement agencies to conduct intense compliance checks on high-risk providers – ensuring a safer VET sector for all students, both domestic and international.
Specifically:
The Government investment will fund an uplift in digital and data systems, that will enable ASQA to further support intelligence gathering and sharing with other agencies, to boost compliance and law enforcement efforts and identify trends or activity that may be evidence of unlawful behaviour.
A confidential VET tip-off line will also be established for current and former students, staff, and other potential whistle-blowers such as homestay hosts and employers of international students.
The tip-off line will provide a safe and confidential avenue to anonymously report alleged serious noncompliance, such as inappropriate or fraudulent practices of training organisations, via phone or ASQA’s website.
These measures follow Sunday night’s co-announcement along with Ministers Clare (Education) and O’Niel (Home Affairs) and recommendations by the Migration Review and the Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System, also known as the Nixon Review.
These new initiatives build on recent action to improve Registered Training Organisation Standards and the strengthened Standard Fit and Proper Person requirements, which provide ASQA with better tools to prevent unethical and disreputable providers. Further measures to strengthen RTO legislation will be presented to a meeting of Skills Ministers in November.
The government has proven to be serious on this issue, and Miniter O’Neil underscores this position by saying “These measures support actions we are looking to take under the ESOS Act to issue suspension certificates to high-risk education providers.”
The Minister for Skills and Training will be speaking at the National Press Club in 2 hours’ time, where no doubt more details will be released.
The announcement can be read in full here.
The Koala congratulates the strong stance of the government.
You can follow this story and more on international education via the Koala news here.
