In June 2017, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) released a review of issues relating to unduly short training (the Strategic Review).

ASQA initiated its Strategic Review in response to concerns raised through its regulatory findings and previous strategic reviews that unduly short courses are preventing learners from gaining the skills and competencies required to be assessed as competent from vocational education and training (VET) courses.

The Council of Australian Governments Industry and Skills Council (CISC) met in November 2017 to consider the recommendations in the Strategic Review. CISC noted the issues and recommendations raised by ASQA which proposed a major reform to the operation of the VET system.

Australia’s VET system plays a vital role in underpinning productivity and driving new sources of growth across Australia. To achieve this, all VET stakeholders need to be confident that RTOs and the courses they offer meet high standards. The VET system must provide properly trained employees with the skills needed to meet the challenges of today and the future. That is why all Australian governments are focused on a suite of reforms, including to the design and development of training products, which aim to ensure the quality of training.

VET places industry at the heart of determining the skills required for real jobs and affords flexibility around training duration and delivery for students and employers.

Reform of VET is focused on ensuring students and employers receive high quality training that is developed to be responsive to the needs of industry and translates into employment opportunities for individuals.

Respondents may provide feedback on some or all of the discussion paper’s themes. To assist with the compilation and analysis of the views of all stakeholders, respondents are encouraged to provide feedback via the discussion paper submission portal by Friday 9 March 2018.