ASQA’s Regulatory Strategy 2020-22 has been developed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. ASQA has taken account of the pressures the pandemic has placed on the VET sector, including the financial impact on providers, in determining regulatory priorities for 2020-22.

The suitability of the initiatives contained in this regulatory strategy will be considered as circumstances change throughout 2020-22, and will be revised and updated where necessary.

Australian and state and territory governments are currently working with the VET sector to finalise a VET Reform Roadmap designed to drive improvement in the quality of VET. Over the coming months and years, there will be a range of changes for both ASQA and the sector more broadly, in line with the government’s commitment to strengthening the VET sector.

There is widespread acknowledgement of the need for VET reform, including to ASQA’s regulatory approach.

There is also significant concern about the changes and challenges arising from the impacts of COVID-19 on Australia’s VET and international education sectors. ASQA has worked closely with the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) Emergency Sub-Committee to enable short-term and urgent adjustments to qualifications and training package requirements to respond to areas of critical workforce and skills needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has allowed providers to roll out fast tracked national training products to meet immediate and longer terms skills needs to support community and economic recovery, in particular in the area of infection control.