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Last week I wrote about the TAFE self-accreditation pilots that are about to begin where ASQA will delegate accreditation powers to those TAFEs who are part of the pilot for accreditation of new AQF5 or 6 qualifications. Today I want to reflect on the move by many 
TAFEs, who are higher education providers, towards TEQSA self-accreditation. The fact TAFEs are achieving self-accreditation in both VET and HE is evidence that we are tackling the challenge of parity between university and TAFE. Self-accreditation is one step toward a more even playing field.
TAFEs are reclaiming their educational entity status. Being self-accrediting, albeit with limited scope in both higher education and vocational education, demonstrates the capability that exists within TAFE as educational entities. It also demonstrates their commitment to quality, governance and leadership, and student-centred learning. Holmesglen Institute is the first to achieve self-accreditation with TEQSA, and others will follow.
The successful TEQSA conference the week before last explored several areas under the theme Navigating tomorrow: Anticipating challenges, embracing change. One panel, which was chaired by Adrienne Nieuwenhuis, the Acting Chief Commissioner of TEQSA and which included Deputy Chair TDA and TAFESA Chief Executive, David Coltman, Deputy CEO, ASQA Christina Bolger, and Executive Director Jobs and Skills Australia, David Turvey discussed harmonisation of VET and higher education. The panel explored the arguments for harmonisation and the reasons why ‘diversity of provision’ (David Coltman) is a strength. However, one of the interesting comments delivered by Adrienne Nieuwenhuis concerned the profile of VET versus HE students. Adrienne suggested that it hasn’t changed and reflects ‘deep intergenerational and structural society pieces’.
Given that is the case, the refocus on TAFE by this government aims to help change that perception problem. To achieve parity of esteem, TDA has argued that TAFEs need to be able to do what universities do and do what TAFEs already do well. TAFEs are the natural home for industry engagement. It was evident at the TEQSA conference that Australia’s higher education research agenda continues to lack the equivalent industry contributions of other OECD countries. TAFE being more at the forefront of higher education might be one place this is addressed.
The TAFE Centres of Excellence, with their industry and university partnerships, are one of the steps to achieving that. However, that will only be effective if TAFE is able to use its demonstrated quality self-accreditation status to be flexible with industry and to lead university partners to the table.
Therefore, it was disappointing to see a comment by a member of the TEQSA audience questioning TAFEs’ self-accreditation status. This seems an entrenched view demonstrating lack of parity of esteem. It is also naive. Any TAFE in Australia would welcome showcasing their commitment to governance, leadership, students, industry engagement, processes, data and systems that have led to strong self-assurance outcomes. This background forms the base for both VET and HE self-accreditation. Time for all to embrace the change that is coming.
TAFE institutes, teachers, students and industry partners are in the running for top honours at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra next week.
The list of finalists was released earlier this week. TAFE features in the following award categories:
Large Training Provider of the Year Award
Apprentice of the Year Award
Trainee of the Year Award
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award
Vocational Student of the Year Award
Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award
VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award
Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award
Industry Collaboration Award
See all the finalists for the Australian Training Awards
Join TDA’s TAFETalks session on optimising existing systems to deliver the National Skills Passport.
Tertiary education providers already invest significantly in data systems to track student progress and record alumni qualifications. Building a completely new system introduces additional risks and costs.
In this session, experts from Victoria University and TechnologyOne will explore key factors in developing a National Skills Passport. They’ll discuss how leveraging innovative solutions can enhance workforce mobility, reduce institutional security burdens, and streamline assessment processes.
Australia’s Skillaroos have been honoured at a reception at Parliament House in Canberra and presented with certificates acknowledging their achievements at the WorldSkills International Championships in France.
The Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said the Skillaroos had been on an incredible journey halfway around the world and should be immensely proud of what they have achieved.
“This year’s competition was the largest ever, with over 1,400 young people from 70 countries attending and 250,000 people visiting the Lyon region.
“To represent your country on the international stage takes passion, dedication, hard work and talent.
“As a nation, Australians are known to be competitive, especially when it comes to international competition. The Skillaroos came 14th this year by total points scored, which is an incredible achievement,” Mr Giles said.
The Skillaroos, along with members of the WorldSkills Australia team met with ministers and MPs at a breakfast reception to commemorate their return home after a spectacular international competition in Lyon.
The federal and Victorian governments have announced an additional 5,200 fee-free TAFE places for Victorians in housing and construction, commencing in January.
The Commonwealth has injected $22.2 million to fund the new fee-free places, which will include up to 1,300 pre-apprenticeships.
A total of 508,000 people have so far enrolled in fee-free TAFE across Australia.
The Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said the new places will help get more people into the construction industry and provide cost of living relief to those entrants.
“Victoria has embraced the Albanese Government’s Fee-Free TAFE policy, with over 91,200 Victorians enrolling to get the skills they want for free since January last year. That’s over 91,200 Victorians on the pathway to secure, well-paid jobs,” Mr Giles said.
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has launched a new report that sets out a roadmap of strategic activities that aim to guide the next chapter of VET sector initiatives.
The report, Better Together – The Jobs and Skills Report 2024, has been released at a series of roadshows across the country.
The report has five strategic pillars:
The system of Star Ratings for residential aged care is undergoing a review and there is an opportunity to provide feedback on how the ratings are calculated and other proposed improvements.
Star Ratings help older people and their families compare the quality of aged care homes and make more informed choices.
Following the commencement of the new Aged Care Act, the Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking feedback on several elements of Star Ratings, including how both the compliance rating and the staffing rating are calculated
The consultation is open to all, but particularly, older people, their families and carers, aged care providers and workers, experts and other interested stakeholders.
The Department’s Consultation Hub includes a consultation paper and details on providing feedback.
There are also a number of face-to-face consultations between 25 November and 6 December 2024.
The consultation process is being delivered in collaboration with KPMG. Any questions about the consultation can be directed to KPMG at: au-fm-star-ratings@kpmg.com.au, or alternatively to the Star Ratings team at: StarRatings@health.gov.au.
The results of training providers’ performance in the international student market, which help determine visa requirements for the coming academic year, have come into effect.
The Department of Home Affairs has provided updates to the Evidence Levels of countries and education providers. The combined country and education provider Evidence Levels are used to guide financial and English evidence requirements for student visa applicants.
The update is based on immigration outcomes from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024.
The Evidence Level update rewards providers that have shown improved performance, while making minor adjustments to support genuine providers to adapt their processes and recruit for semester 1, 2025. Country evidence levels are also be updated.
In the latest update, education providers that have shown an improved Evidence Level rating will move up levels.
Education providers with a worsening Evidence Level will have their rating adjusted. Exceptions are being made for providers in the higher education, schools and public VET sectors. These providers will remain at their current level.
The Department says it will continue to closely monitor outcomes.
“The Department will continue to monitor providers between now and March 2025, and may recommend further interim adjustments to evidence levels should there be signs of inappropriate recruitment behaviour by particular providers,” it says.
Since 2015, students undertaking nationally recognised training have been required to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). They can access an authenticated USI VET transcript through their USI account, which collates their nationally recognised training outcomes into a single record.
A USI VET transcript can be used when:
Employers can use USI VET transcripts to:
The Australian Government verifies all the training listed on a USI VET transcript, so you can rest assured that your staff have the necessary qualifications.
Viewing and sharing training outcomes is valuable for students, employees, and employers. Visit the USI website to find out more about the VET transcripts.
The Manufacturing Alliance wishes to clarify that its ‘Building a Defence Manufacturing Workforce’ project is being undertaken in collaboration with a number of defence industry stakeholders, not solely with BAE Systems Australia, as may have been suggested in last week’s TDA Newsletter. See the media release
Organisations that wish to be involved in the project can use this link.
TAFETalks: Delivering the National Skills Passport
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 2.00pm – 3.00pm AEDT
Register here
Australian Training Awards
6 December 2024
National Convention Centre, Canberra
More information
Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG) 2024 Conference
9-10 December 2024
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
More information
National Apprentice Employment Network 2025 National Conference
11-13 June 2025
Brisbane
Save the date
WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Showcase
12-14 June 2025
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
Save the date
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