ASQA Provider Roundtable Communiqué (November 2023)

Date published

22/12/2023 - 10:00am

The ASQA Provider Roundtable held its fourth meeting for 2023 on 28 November.

The Roundtable was chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Christina Bolger and Executive Director, Policy and Partnerships, Fiona O’Brien.

DCEO update

The DCEO provided and update on the following matters:

ASQA regulatory activity for Q1 2023-24
Stakeholder engagement activity
Integrity measures implementation
Markey entry changes
Education and communication activity
Preparation for changes to the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 (the Standards).

Standards workshop

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) provided an update on the draft revised Standards, including high-level themes to emerge from stakeholder focus groups and an evidencing survey of providers. The Roundtable noted that DEWR continues to review stakeholder feedback to inform the final revised Standards and ensure the Standards are fit-for-purpose and effective in meeting the needs of the VET sector.

ASQA facilitated a workshop seeking members’ views on a number of the proposed new Standards to explore how providers might demonstrate they are meeting the requirements of the Standards and to inform guidance for providers in interpreting the Standards. Roundtable members discussed complex areas in the Standards that may require further exploration and noted potential opportunities that might come with the proposed changes.

Guidance material

ASQA led a discussion about how guidance material might best support providers to interpret and implement the revised Standards, expected to be implemented from 1 January 2025. The Roundtable discussed what would be most beneficial for inclusion in guidance material to ensure that providers are supported and guided through the transition to meet their compliance obligations. Members also noted changes ASQA will be making to its regulatory policies and practices, systems and tools to align its approach to the revised Standards.

Next meeting

TBC 2024