Shortened course duration

Risk overview

The delivery of training within timeframes shorter than those indicated by the training package or qualification level poses a risk to the quality and reputation of VET qualifications.

Accelerated or shortened delivery can result in insufficient skill development and knowledge retention, leading to graduates being ill-prepared for the workforce. This poses a significant safety risk to graduates, others in the workplace, and the wider community.

This practice also presents a barrier to career outcomes for some students, and impacts industry and employers by undermining confidence in student competencies.

Key points from research

1. We receive concerning complaints and intelligence about provider non-compliance in this area, including through our engagement with state and territory licensing authorities, training authorities, licensing bodies and industry peaks – who share our concerns in this area.
2. Marketing unrealistically short courses is misleading students in their choice of provider and may result in additional extension costs for students who are unable to complete within advertised timeframes.
3. Both accelerated delivery (high-intensity learning) and shortened delivery (low-volume learning) may compromise the depth and quality of education offered to students.
4. Licensing bodies are increasingly challenging graduates from RTOs perceived to deliver low-volume training, demanding additional demonstration of competency before granting licences.

Our regulatory response

We have a low tolerance for providers that prioritise cost efficiency over training quality and student outcomes by reducing volume of learning or shortening training delivery timeframes, particularly in higher risk occupations, and we are using a range of compliance monitoring activities with targeted providers. 

We are:

• educating providers to ensure that they are clear on their obligations and providing guidance designed to assist VET providers determine the appropriate amount of training to deliver aligned to the Qualifications Framework. All providers must consider the relevant volume of learning for the courses they deliver and how this affects the amount of training their students need
• sharing intelligence and working with occupational licensing bodies, other industry bodies, or both, for the purpose of ensuring compliance by RTOs with their obligations 
• monitoring provider compliance targeting course duration particularly where marketing promotes or advertises that courses can be completed in an inappropriately short amount of time without justifying the context of shortened duration
• applying a range of escalating actions, including issuing sanctions in response to non-compliance, including applying expanded offence and civil penalty provisions to cover a broader range of false or misleading representations by RTOs about their operations.