08 Dec The National VET Regulator
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the National VET Regulator, and it has total authority over Registered Training Organisations (RTO) like HBA Learning Centres Pty Ltd. ASQA is part of the Commonwealth Government and has the power to withdraw the operating licence of an RTO under its jurisdiction. ASQA has received complaints re some RTO’s advertising and marketing activities which promote unrealistic completion times for VET courses and because of that it has released the statement below to its RTO’s.
In VET there are 2 important elements that surround any VET qualification:
- Volume of Learning
- Amount of Training
These elements must be explicitly identified in an RTO’s submission to the Government for any qualification it wishes to have on its Scope of Registration and these must be in keeping with the Volume of learning identified in the standards for RTO’s https://www.asqa.gov.au/rtos/users-guide-standards-rtos-2015/chapter-4-training-and-assessment/clauses-11-14-and-22-implementing-monitoring-and-evaluating-training-and-assessment-strategies-and-practices#what-clauses-1-1-to-1-4-and-2-2-mean-for-your-rto
Table 1—Australian Qualifications Framework volume of learning : Certificate level
| Certificate I | Certificate II | Certificate III* | Certificate IV^ |
| 0.5 – 1 year | 0.5 – 1 year | 1 – 2 years | 0.5 – 2 years |
| 600 – 1200 hours | 600 – 1200 hours | 1200 – 2400 hours | 600 – 2400 hours |
Table 2—Australian Qualifications Framework volume of learning: Diploma level
| Diploma | Advanced Diploma | Graduate Certificate | Graduate Diploma |
| 1 – 2 years | 1.5 – 2 years | 0.5 – 1 year | 1 – 2 years |
| 1200 – 2400 hours | 1800 – 2400 hours | 600 – 1200 hours | 1200 – 2400 hours |
From ASQA:
| Meeting expected standards |
| We are very concerned about provider practices that involve making false or misleading representations about the courses and qualifications the provider delivers, and its services and performance more generally. This is harmful to prospective and current learners and undermines confidence in VET. Providers are reminded of their obligations to meet the required standards as a condition of their registration. Under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, it is also a criminal offence and a contravention liable to financial penalty to make false or misleading representations as to a VET course or qualification, including in connection with an advertisement such as marketing material. We are responding to complaints and tip-offs we’ve received about advertising and marketing which makes unrealistic or impractical claims about the provider, work placement, shortened course duration and/or recognition of prior learning. These claims undermine the integrity of VET qualifications, leave students vulnerable to exploitation and have the potential to put graduates and the public at risk. We are actively monitoring provider publications and targeting providers that do not meet their obligations. We have no tolerance for any provider that is making false and misleading representations on their website or other published material and can apply a range of penalties and sanctions where a provider is found to be in breach of their obligations. We may also refer a matter to the ACCC. |
Be acutely aware of any RTO that suggests you can complete a VET course in an inordinately short time frame and please remember, the Regulators have the power to recall any qualifications issued incorrectly by an RTO.