On Friday, The Australian Government published a response to the report on the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 Review (The Review).

The Review, led by Professor Valerie Braithwaite, Professor of Regulatory Studies in the School of Regulation and Global Governance at the Australian National University, considered key issues and challenges that the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) faces in regulating the VET sector, and how the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 and its supporting legislation and VET quality framework, supported ASQA’s evolving work.

The work of Professor Braithwaite involved significant consultation. Over 60 public submissions were received and consultations were held with over 50 key stakeholders.

The Government’s response recognises the importance of the VET sector to Australia and how RTOs must be of high quality, and be able to deliver desirable student outcomes. In 2016, there were an estimated 4.2 million students – or nearly a quarter of all 15-64 year olds in Australia ­– enrolled in VET with an Australian training provider (NCVER, 2017, Total VET students and courses, 2016). In addition, it has been estimated that more than 200,000 people are employed in the VET sector.