The Revised Standards for RTOs are expected to come into full regulatory effect from July 2025. While there are some iterative changes to the Standards and structure, the most important change is the shift from ‘compliance’ towards self-assurance, quality, 
and continuous improvement. Self-assurance represents an empowering opportunity for TDA members to rethink how quality can be systematically embedded and evaluated across the organisation, and how to continuously improve.
Of course, such a change will inevitably involve additional work to review and update existing quality management systems in response to the new standards. To support this process, TDA’s Quality, Regulatory and Compliance network is taking a leadership role, with active involvement in discussions relating to the Standards’ implementation across the national TAFE footprint and in open conversations with ASQA.
TDA has convened targeted webinars for members, and provided feedback to ASQA on the Draft Practice Guides which are intended to support the Standards’ implementation. ASQA has also developed a guide to prepare for the revised standards, while DEWR has published policy guidance materials including videos.
TDA will continue to facilitate open conversation between TAFE and ASQA to assist with a smooth transition to the revised standards. TDA members are working towards ensuring that the significance of the shift towards self-assurance is not lost or constrained through implementation or regulatory monitoring.
The new Standards are a welcome shift from compliance to quality. TDA members are ready!
Cooperation between governments, training providers, employers and unions will be essential if Australia is to overcome a “disjointed” tertiary education system that has created a divide between VET and higher education, a new report from Jobs and Skills Australia says.
The report, ‘Opportunity and Productivity: Towards a Tertiary Harmonisation Roadmap’, makes 19 recommendations to better align the two sectors.
“At this moment, Australia has a unique opportunity for game-changing reform of tertiary education to increase opportunities for all and boost productivity,” the report says.
It advocates reforming the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), developing a national skills taxonomy, fostering a national credit transfer system, harmonising regulatory arrangements, and reforming funding as key steps toward harmonisation.
It gives the proposed Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) a pivotal role to use its powers to promote harmonisation and drive cultural change.
It proposes that higher education and VET providers be invited to participate in a VET-Higher Education Collaboration Agenda, involving active engagement in projects.
“This will build upon the collaboration already underway through TAFE Centres of Excellence and other VET-Higher Education partnerships,” the report says.
It recommends the federal government consider using new CSP funding for TAFEs, and ATEC’s role in allocating growth in CSPs, to promote harmonisation.
JSA stresses that harmonisation entails coordination and cooperation across systems, and is not about merging or integrating VET and HE.
“Each would remain a distinctive sector with important differences in their missions and their approaches to learning,” JSA says.
The federal government has announced the Tasmanian Clean Energy Centre of Excellence at TasTAFE’s Burnie campus.
The centre will train students to work on wind generation and hydro pump technology and will deliver skills to harness the state’s natural resources for clean energy and to support the transition to net zero.
The federal and Tasmanian governments will jointly fund the $27.2 million investment.
The new centre will see:
Industry and academic experts from other TAFEs and universities will work with the centre on the design and delivery of training.
Partnerships will be formed with the renewable energy industry, Jobs and Skills Councils, universities, and unions. An existing partnership through the Tasmanian Government’s High-Vis Army Program will also be a feature.
The UN Women theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is March Forward for all Women and Girls.
This year’s theme commemorates thirty years since the world committed to gender equality through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Although we are making progress, we are not yet where we need to be.
In this TAFETalks event we will discuss ways in which TAFE and industry can help to progress equality in Australia and worldwide. We will hear from a panel of inspiring women to learn about the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them.
We will also discuss the positive changes that they have seen, the factors that enable gender parity, and what still needs to be done to #MarchForward.
The new cutting-edge TAFE Health and Community Centre of Excellence has opened at Kangan Institute in Broadmedows.
More than 1,000 students will train at the facility in 2025, with that number to double from 2026. Students will have access to placements and pathways available through Kangan Institute’s collaboration with universities, industry and community partners. The Victorian government has invested $60 million to establish the centre.
The centre will include:
Kangan Institute CEO Sally Curtain said the world class facility was delivered on time and on budget, and will give students the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in the health and care industries.
“Our Centre of Excellence is a launching pad for rewarding and in-demand careers. With strong partnerships across industries, communities, and universities, we’re not just keeping up with today’s needs, we’re helping shape a healthier, stronger future for Melbourne’s northern corridor and beyond.”
A mid-life career change is giving TAFE SA graduate Dirk Venema a new sense of purpose and helping him realise a long-held goal to work in the disability care sector.
Dirk, 47, says he’s “always had a need to help people” and is thriving in his roles at Community Living Options (CLO), where he was nominated for an award in his first year of service, and the Wooden Toy Factory at the Encounter Centre in Victor Harbor.
It’s been a steep learning curve for the former tradie, who was a bricklayer and stonemason for more than 30 years before enrolling in the Individual Support (Disability Care) course at TAFE SA’s Victor Harbor Campus.
Dirk, a single dad with two teenage daughters, says Fee Free TAFE was the catalyst for his career change, providing him with the encouragement to “have another go” at formal study.
Join us for an insightful webinar in which we will explore how generative AI and cutting edge tools such as H5P are transforming education content strategies, while emphasising the importance of ethical innovation in content creation. This session will be particularly valuable for TAFE educational developers, learning and teaching managers and leaders.
In this session we will be joined by Tony Maguire, Regional Director, D2L, Sam Crowe Senior Advisor Educator Capability, TAFE Queensland and Vasi Doncheva, Manager Learning Design & Technologies at Chisholm Institute. They will share practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for leveraging AI to amplify learning experiences, enhance student engagement, and ensure responsible use in educational settings. Whether you are exploring AI-driven solutions or looking to refine your content strategy, this webinar will equip you with the tools and knowledge to lead with confidence and integrity in the evolving landscape of education.
The Minister for Education, Jason Clare, has announced the appointment of Professor Kerri-Lee Krause as Chief Commissioner of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
Professor Krause most recently served as Vice-Chancellor and President at Avondale University, and as Chair of the Higher Education Standards Panel.
Mr Clare also announced the appointment of Emeritus Professor Elizabeth More as Commissioner.
Professor More is a leading authority on business education and was the Dean of the Macquarie Graduate School of Management and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Macquarie University and the University of Canberra.
Professor Krause’s appointment will commence from 7 April 2025 and Professor More’s term as Commissioner will commence from 24 February 2025, both for five-year terms.
Minister Clare thanked Adrienne Nieuwenhuis for her time as Acting Chief Commissioner. Ms Nieuwenhuis will resume her role as a Commissioner from 7 April 2025.
TDA extends its congratulations to Professor Krause and Professor More and its appreciation to Ms Nieuwenhuis for her role as Acting Chief Commissioner.
TDA Associate Member, the VET Development Centre (VDC) is excited to bring the 2025 VET AI Symposium, to be held Tuesday 18 March in-person at VDC in Melbourne and online nationally via Zoom. This leading event aims to bring together industry leaders, educators, executives, and AI experts, featuring three streams on Teaching Practice, Managing AI Integration, and Leading AI in TAFE and Registered Training Organisations.
The VET AI Symposium will feature a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops led by renowned experts in the field. Industry experts from TAFE SA, William Angliss Institute and South Metropolitan TAFE will be joined by national and international speakers.
Register now to secure your spot and lead the way in educational innovation.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has launched a campaign that aims to protect international students from exploitation in the workplace.
“Everyone in Australia has the same minimum entitlements and protections at work, including international students on a visa,” the campaign says.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman has information on pay and conditions and they can help if you think you’ve been underpaid. You can even make an anonymous tip off about an employer doing the wrong thing.”
The campaign encourages international students to:
The campaign includes case study videos and an International students fact sheet.
Each of the Jobs and Skills Councils are busy working on multiple projects relating to VET workforce and Training Package development. Please review their respective webpages for updates on these projects, and opportunities to be involved through consultation.
NCVER Webinar
What’s going on with student outcomes?
25 February 2025
More information
TAFETalks: The #POWEROFTAFE and Industry to March Forward towards gender parity
5 March 2025, 2.00-3.00pm AEDT
Register here
2025 VET AI Symposium
18 March 2025
VET Development Centre Melbourne and online
More information
TAFETalks: GenAI for ethical content and strategy at scale
19 March 2025, 2-3pm AEDT
Register here
AVETRA Conference 2025
2-4 April 2025
Melbourne
More information
9th Research Conference of the International Network for Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP)
8-9 May 2025
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, England
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National Apprentice Employment Network 2025 National Conference
11-13 June 2025
Sofitel, Brisbane
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WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Showcase
12-14 June 2025
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2025 Skills Conference
24 June 2025
Amora Hotel, Sydney
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2025
Navigating Authentic Assessment and Learning in a Digital World
25-26 June 2025
University of Sydney
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34th National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Research Conference ‘No Frills’
9-11 July 2025 (Abstract submissions due by 7 March 2025)
Gold Coast
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VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
14-15 August 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
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National Skills Week
‘Explore All the Options’
25-31 August 2025
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Impact ATEM 2025
Association for Tertiary Education Management annual conference
7-10 October 2025
Australian National University, Canberra.
More information
Velg Training National VET Conference
30-31 October 2025
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
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TDA Convention 2026
SAVE the DATE
5-7 May 2026
Brisbane
48th WorldSkills International Competition Shanghai
22-27 September 2026
More information
2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
Save the date
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