ASQA takes action against Gurkhas Institute of Technology, The Australian Academy of Business

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has cancelled the registration of Gurkhas Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (registered training organisation (RTO) number 22088) as a provider of vocational education and training (VET) services.

It has also suspended all diploma-level and higher qualifications from the scope of registration of The Australian Academy of Business Pty Ltd (RTO number 32138).

Chief Commissioner Mark Paterson AO said audits of both training providers identified non-compliance with the requirements of the VET Quality Framework.

“ASQA audited Gurkhas Institute of Technology in 2015 as part of its VET FEE-HELP targeted audit project. The RTO was found to be non-compliant with its requirements. However, it was able to demonstrate compliance by the end of the audit process. On the basis of the 2015 audit findings, ASQA imposed conditions on the RTO’s registration so it could continue to monitor the RTO,” Mr Paterson said.

“The audit in 2016 was conducted as part of the 2016 VET FEE-HELP regulatory strategy and the monitoring arrangements imposed on the RTO. In addition, ASQA also audited the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery qualification because of complaints received.”

This second audit identified continued areas of non-compliance including:

• enrolment practices that did not take into account the individual learner’s existing skills and competencies;
• insufficient resources and facilities, including in work placement, for all learners; and
• assessment practices that did not meet all requirements.

Mr Paterson said the non-compliances identified at The Australian Academy of Business related to the enrolment, student support and delivery and assessment practices of diploma-level qualifications.

“The Australian Academy of Business was identified as a provider of concern and audited as part of the 2016 VET FEE-HELP Strategic Review due to issues relating to its recruitment practices,” he said.

“In addition to assessing the RTO’s ongoing compliance with the VET Quality Framework, the audit also reviewed the RTO’s demonstrated practices, including its compliance with the requirements of the VET FEE-HELP scheme, where these overlapped with or were otherwise relevant to the VET Quality Framework.”

Mr Paterson said that where an RTO is suspended from delivering qualifications it is prevented from marketing or enrolling new students into its courses. The RTO may continue to deliver to and assess its existing students.

ASQA’s decisions against Gurkhas Institute of Technology and The Australian Academy of Business will be effective from 27 June 2017 and 28 June 2017 respectively, unless either seeks a review of the decision in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

Gurkhas Institute of Technology is the seventh training provider to have its registration cancelled following scrutiny as part of ASQA’s 2016 VET FEE-HELP Strategic Review. The others are:

• ASCET Institute of Technology (RTO number 20770);
• Smart City Vocational College Pty Ltd (RTO number 6494);
• Australian Vocational Learning Institute (RTO number 21289);
• Conwal and Associates Pty Ltd (RTO number 31190); and
• Asia Pacific Training Institute Pty Ltd (RTO number 21378);
• MHM Australasia Pty Ltd (RTO number 6980).

The Australian Business Academy is the third provider to have courses removed or suspended from its scope of registration as part of the Strategic Review. The others are:

• Franklyn Scholar (Australia) Pty Ltd (RTO number 7134) – courses removed from scope of registration
• Merage Group Pty Ltd (RTO number 91798) – suspension of scope of registration.

The decisions against ASCET Institute of Technology, Australian Vocational Learning Institute, Conwal and Associates, Asia Pacific Training Institute and MHM Australasia have come into effect.

Smart City Vocational College, Franklyn Scholar (Australia) and Merage Group have each sought a review of ASQA’s decision in the AAT.

Smart City and Merage Group have both been granted a stay of the decision pending the outcome of the review. Smart City may not advertise for new students or accept new enrolments.