News

Review of standards for the regulation of VET and tuition assurance schemes

At the 20 April 2012 meeting, the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) agreed to consider domestic tuition assurance schemes as part of the broader review of the standards for the regulation of vocational education and training (VET). 

The NSSC did not wish to proceed at this time with arrangements that could potentially be changed following the standards review. For more information refer to NSSC Communique 5.

VRQA registered training organisations (RTOs) collecting student fees in advance, must ensure they limit pre-paid fees as per the Australian Quality Training Framework Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration Condition 5, Option 3 or hold monies in excess of Option 3 in the only measure currently approved by the VRQA - a Solicitor Trust Account.

2012 Information Sheet No. 1 - Trends in overseas students studying in schools

In order to provide our stakeholders with useful information that will assist them to make informed decisions we have developed the first in a series of information sheets for 2012.

The first information sheet features Trends observed in overseas students studying in Victorian and Australian schools (PDF - 55Kb). To download a copy of this document click on the link above. 

Principal purpose requirement for registered training organisations

From 1 January 2012 all ‘for profit’ registered training organisations (RTOs) must meet the principal purpose requirement. The RTO legal entity must have education and training as its principal purpose, unless specifically exempted from this provision.

The Education and Training Reform Amendment (Skills) Act 2010 automatically exempts a range of RTOs from this requirement including all registered schools, universities, TAFE institutions, adult education institutions, government bodies and RTOs in receipt of ACFE funding.

RTOs not included in these automatic exemption categories can apply to the Director, VRQA for a Ministerial exemption from the principal purpose requirement if they:

(a) are a community based organisation or
(b) provide education and training on a not-for-profit basis or
(c) provide education and training only to their staff members or staff members of a related entity.

To apply for an exemption from the principal purpose requirement, you must:

  1. download the Guide for organisations seeking an exemption from the principal purpose requirement of providing education and training (PDF - 56Kb)
  2. complete the Application for exemption from the principal purpose requirement (PDF - 76Kb).

All applications should be forwarded to:

The Director
Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
GPO Box 2317
MELBOURNE VIC 3001

2011 VRQA education provider and stakeholder survey

The VRQA conducts an annual survey that focuses on measuring aspects of provider and stakeholder satisfaction; clarity of compliance requirements; ease of accessing information on compliance and adequacy of VRQA support. In 2011 the VRQA engaged an independent survey company Sweeney Research to conduct the annual survey. All responses were confidential and the VRQA did not have access to actual survey responses other than in a summary report.

The results indicated a 52 per cent response rate demonstrating a high level of engagement with providers. Providers and stakeholders are generally satisfied with the VRQA’s services and the role of the VRQA is valued and appreciated. Further findings can be found in the summary report (PDF - 132Kb) provided by Sweeney Research.

31 January 2012: Changes to the VRQA website regarding higher education

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) commenced regulatory functions on 29 January 2012. As a consequence of VRQA’s changed responsibilities, major changes have been made to this website.  For more information see the Transfer to TEQSA web page.

News archive

For past news articles from 2010 and 2011, see: VRQA news archive