National training regulator cancels registration of Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has cancelled the registration of Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd (RTO number 91437) as a provider of vocational education and training (VET) services, including to overseas students.

Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd trades as Australian Institute of Professional Education, AIPE, StudyOnline and Study Connect.

ASQA, the national regulator for vocational education and training, has taken this decision following comprehensive regulatory scrutiny of the training provider over a number of months.

The scrutiny of the provider was part of ASQA’s targeted audits of 21 training providers approved by the Department of Education and Training to participate in the Commonwealth’s VET FEE-HELP scheme. ASQA contends that the provider has not operated consistently with the requirements of the VET Quality Framework, which all registered training organisations are required to satisfy as a condition of registration

ASQA issued the training provider with a notice of intention to cancel its registration on 4 November 2015. ASQA Commissioners considered the evidence received from the provider in response to its notice and, on 17 December 2015, cancelled the provider’s registration under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011and its registration for VET courses under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000.

ASQA’s decision will take effect from 1 February 2016. The provider is able to seek a review of ASQA’s decision in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). It is also able to seek a stay of the decision pending a hearing of the review application.

This is the third registration cancellation decision taken by ASQA as a result of its strengthened focus on VET FEE-HELP approved providers. The other providers have been Phoenix Institute of Australia and Unique International College. More information about the targeted audits is available on the ASQA website.