ACPET News | 18 March 2013
The Australian Council of Private Education Providers (ACPET) is becoming increasingly agitated by regulatory measures that seem designed to put the squeeze on smaller private VET providers.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is proposing fee increases for almost 50 regulatory activities, with 15 more than doubled, with registration up 388%, on the basis that such increases are necessary for it to become fully self-funding, as required by government policy.
At the same time, the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) is proposing much more strict VET provider registration requirements in order to protect the economy from a “failure in confidence” in qualifications.
NSSC chair John Dawkins admits the proposed tougher requirements would be a hurdle for new and smaller providers, who might have to operate under the aegis of larger established providers.
ACPET chief executive Claire Field says
…the release of the National Skills Standards Council’s position paper on new standards for the training system and the release of substantially higher fees for VET providers in the latest fee schedule of the Australian Skills Quality Authority can only be seen as a signal that small providers are no longer wanted in the VET system.
For decades Australia’s VET system has prided itself on its flexibility, innovation and responsiveness. All of that is now at risk with the release of these new reports.
See
The end of innovation in Australia’s VET system
Hysteria or well founded concerns?
Private colleges face massive hike in fees