ASQA’s newly published regulatory risk priorities for 2024-25 emphasise the increasing threat posed by non-genuine CRICOS providers. This trend emerged from an extensive environmental scan that involved consultations and interviews with key stakeholders. The findings revealed that some providers are engaged in:
- Visa fraud by not enforcing class attendance or progression requirements.
- Academic cheating to quickly meet assessment requirements.
These bad-faith operators not only undermine the quality of education but also pose a significant risk to international students. Consequently, ASQA’s focus has shifted to eliminating these non-genuine providers from the VET sector.
ASQA’s Approach to Removing Non-Genuine Providers
ASQA has intensified efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of education. Recent legislative changes have empowered ASQA to:
- Invest in the Integrity Unit to focus on delivering quality training to overseas students.
- Establish a tip-off line to detect and address illegal activities by RTOs.
- Upgrade digital and data systems to support regulatory actions.
The Integrity Unit plays a pivotal role in identifying and shutting down ‘ghost colleges,’ which do not require student attendance and issue fraudulent qualifications. ASQA’s proactive measures include compliance blitzes, unannounced site visits, monitoring student visa conditions, and issuing penalties for non-compliance.
Key Areas of Focus for Compliance
To ensure compliance, RTOs must pay close attention to several key areas:
- Fit and Proper Person requirements to ensure responsible management.
- Student attendance and delivery locations to verify legitimate operations.
- Student recruitment practices and agent management to prevent unethical practices.
- Financial viability and marketing practices to ensure transparency and honesty.
For more insights on navigating regulatory changes, check out our blogs on how CRICOS RTOs can cope with education reforms and boosting RTO strategies amidst student visa policy changes.
Conclusion
In light of the growing risks from non-genuine CRICOS providers, it is imperative for RTOs to stay vigilant and proactive. By understanding ASQA’s regulatory priorities for 2024-25 and implementing robust compliance measures, RTOs can protect their integrity and continue to provide quality education to international students.
