Australian Skills Quality Authority ASQA

Overview

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulator for Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector, including Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and certain dual‑sector providers. Established in 2011, ASQA aims to maintain confidence in the integrity of VET qualifications across Australia.

According to uniRank, ASQA was founded in 2011 and conducts strategic reviews to continuously improve regulatory processes and outcomes based on research, stakeholder consultation and compliance data.

History and Legal Framework

ASQA was established on 1 July 2011 through the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 and related consequential and transitional legislation. The Act serves as ASQA’s legal foundation, reinforced by regulations such as the VET Quality Framework, the Standards for RTOs and VET Accredited Courses and the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislative regime.

Major legislative reviews—such as the Braithwaite review (2018) and Joyce Expert Review (2019)—led to amendments strengthening ASQA’s powers and regulatory effectiveness. A rapid review in 2019–20 triggered government-backed reform funding and internal restructuring. ASQA’s reform program has implemented all 24 recommendations by early 2021.

Mission, Vision and Objectives; Role in Higher Education

Mission: To ensure that students, employers, industry, government and the community have confidence in the quality and integrity of VET training and qualifications.

Vision/Objectives: Uphold quality education outcomes, safeguard student welfare, foster continuous improvement in providers and support the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

While ASQA does not regulate mainstream higher education (that falls under TEQSA), it oversees dual‑sector institutions that offer both VET and higher education courses. In those cases, ASQA works closely with TEQSA to ensure consistent regulatory decisions.

Governance, Structure and Independence

ASQA operates as a statutory agency under the Public Service Act 1999 and is a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. It is functionally independent of providers and governments in regulatory decision‑making.

Governance is overseen by an Advisory Council established under its founding Act, with Commissioners (such as the Commissioner for Regulatory Operations) responsible for audit, compliance and enforcement. The organisational structure supports risk‑based decision‑making aligned with the broader VET reform agenda.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

Although ASQA’s core mandate lies within VET, it plays a role in higher education entering via:

• Dual‑sector providers: ASQA regulates their vocational element and collaborates with TEQSA to align decisions regarding academic offerings.
• Course accreditation: ASQA accredits VET accredited courses, listing accredited AQF qualifications on the national register (training.gov.au).
• CRICOS regulation: ASQA oversees ELICOS and VET delivery to overseas students, ensuring compliance with ESOS legislation.

ASQA’s regulation covers provider application and renewal audits, risk‑based compliance audits and strategic inspections to maintain quality and integrity across qualification issuing.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

ASQA collaborates with international counterparts and sector bodies to harmonise regulatory approaches and share best practices. It engages through ESOS frameworks and works with TEQSA on multi‑sector consistency. While not a direct member of higher‑education QA networks, ASQA’s international outreach focuses on global standards in VET quality assurance and provider integrity.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

ASQA exerts indirect influence on higher education trends via the expanding dual‑sector university model and integration of vocational degrees—a development where VET qualifications now carry AQF Level 7 status, paralleling traditional bachelor degrees.

In collaboration with Jobs and Skills Australia and other stakeholders, ASQA’s oversight of vocational degrees reinforces industry‑aligned pathways, bridging vocational training and academic progression. The enhanced status of vocational degrees is expected to shift student choice and workforce readiness.

Further, government reports urge stricter regulation of low‑quality providers to protect Australia’s international reputation in both VET and higher education sectors. ASQA’s enforcement actions—such as recent deregistration of providers issuing fake diplomas—demonstrate its watchdog role in maintaining national standards.

Summary

In summary, the Australian Skills Quality Authority is a central regulator of Australia’s vocational education and training system. Founded by statute in 2011 and strengthened through legislative reviews and reforms, ASQA promotes high‑quality training outcomes, protects students and supports integrity within AQF qualifications. While its mandate does not extend to mainstream higher education, it plays a critical role in dual‑sector institutions and emerging vocational degree pathways. ASQA’s risk‑based regulatory model, governance independence and collaboration with TEQSA ensure coherent education quality policy across sectors.

FAQs

1. What does ASQA regulate?
   ASQA regulates Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), VET and accredited VET courses and certain ELICOS and dual‑sector providers delivering vocational education, particularly to overseas or interstate students.
2. Is ASQA responsible for university oversight?
   No, TEQSA is the regulator for higher education. However, ASQA works alongside TEQSA when dual‑sector providers deliver both VET and higher education qualifications.
3. What authority does ASQA have?
   ASQA’s legal authority is derived from the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. It holds enforcement powers, including audits, infringement notices, registration suspension or cancellation and enforceable undertakings.
4. How is ASQA different from TEQSA?
   ASQA focuses on vocational education and the integrity of training qualifications under the AQF. TEQSA governs higher education institutions and academic qualifications. The regulators coordinate on matters where both sectors intersect.
5. How many providers does ASQA regulate?
   As of June 2023, ASQA regulates approximately 3,762 RTOs, including six dual‑sector universities that must comply with both ASQA and TEQSA regulation (based on submissions to the Universities Accord Interim Report).
6. How can I check if a course or provider is registered?
   You can verify registration and accredited AQF qualifications via the national register on training.gov.au. RTOs and courses accredited by ASQA appear on that register.

Organization Name

Australian Skills Quality Authority

Acronym

ASQA

Year of Establishment

1/07/2011

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Australian Government

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

GPO Box 9928
Brisbane
4001 Queensland Australia

Phone

+61 (0)3 8613 3910

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

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X (Twitter)

Australian Skills Quality Authority's X page

LinkedIn

Australian Skills Quality Authority's LinkedIn profile

YouTube

Australian Skills Quality Authority's YouTube channel

Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

Not available

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