COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Risk Priorities in Vocational Education & Training course. This program has been developed to provide Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), compliance managers, trainers, and governance staff with a solid understanding of how the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) identifies and manages regulatory risk across the VET sector. By examining ASQA’s risk-based regulatory approach, environmental scanning processes, current risk themes, and implications for providers, this course ensures RTOs can align their practices with sector-wide compliance priorities and embed strong self-assurance systems into daily operations. It is designed to strengthen organisational resilience, improve training quality, and promote learner and industry confidence in vocational education and training.

ASQA plays a central role in maintaining the integrity and quality of the Australian VET sector. This course begins by introducing the role and purpose of ASQA, explaining its function as the national regulator, the legislative frameworks guiding its work, and the importance of risk-based regulation in ensuring consistent training quality and public confidence. It also defines what “risk priorities” mean in the VET context, highlighting their role in shaping regulatory focus and distinguishing between ongoing systemic risks and emerging sector challenges.

Risk priorities are not arbitrary; they are set through evidence-based processes. This section explores ASQA’s environmental scan (E-scan) and the risk theme setting process, demonstrating how stakeholder engagement, data sources, and sector intelligence are used to identify areas of concern. It explains how risk themes are defined, how qualitative and quantitative indicators are integrated, and the criteria—such as severity, likelihood, and potential impact—used to determine which risks are prioritised for regulatory oversight.

For the 2025–26 period, ASQA has identified six current risk themes that demand sector-wide attention: Academic Integrity, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Shortened Course Duration, Student Work Placement, Marketing, Recruitment and Delivery of International Education, and Non-Genuine Providers and Bad Faith Operators. This section provides an overview of each theme, explaining the risks they pose, their relevance to compliance with the Standards for RTOs, and strategies providers can use to mitigate them. Each theme reflects issues that, if not addressed, could compromise student outcomes, industry trust, or the reputation of the VET sector.

While ASQA sets sector-wide risk themes, risks also manifest differently across industries. This section explores sector-specific risks, identifying industries with elevated risk profiles—such as those involving high licensing requirements, public safety responsibilities, or complex training environments. It emphasises the importance of tailoring risk management strategies to industry-specific needs while also learning from cross-sector benchmarking.

Understanding risk priorities has direct regulatory implications for RTOs. This section discusses how risk priorities influence audit focus, evidence requirements, and compliance expectations. It examines the consequences of non-compliance, ranging from enforcement actions and reputational harm to potential loss of registration. It also highlights the importance of embedding continuous improvement and self-assurance systems, aligned with the 2025 Standards for RTOs, to proactively manage risks before they escalate.

Practical risk management strategies are essential for maintaining compliance. This section guides RTOs through risk identification, assessment, and mitigation across all current risk themes. It outlines specific measures such as strengthening assessment validation for RPL, ensuring adequate supervision in work placements, monitoring course durations, and implementing robust marketing compliance checks. It also explains how organisations can embed risk monitoring, reporting, and review into routine operations to ensure sustainability and readiness for both internal and external audits.

Finally, the course provides a practical framework for RTOs to implement risk management effectively. This includes developing policies and procedures that address risk priorities, training staff to build compliance capability, and establishing strong record-keeping systems that support accountability and audit readiness. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to respond to ASQA’s risk priorities, safeguard their organisation against regulatory breaches, and deliver training that consistently meets the needs of learners, industry, and the wider community.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to ASQA Risk Priorities

1.1 Role and Purpose of ASQA

·       Overview of ASQA’s function in regulating VET

·       Purpose of risk-based regulation in the VET sector

·       Legal and policy framework guiding ASQA’s role

1.2 What are Risk Priorities in VET

·       Definition and purpose of risk priorities

·       Distinction between ongoing and emerging risks

·       Role of risk priorities in shaping regulatory focus

2. ASQA’s Environmental Scan and Risk Theme Setting Process

2.1 Environmental Scan (E-scan)

·       Purpose and function of ASQA’s environmental scan

·       Stakeholder engagement in the scan process

·       Data sources and intelligence gathering

2.2 Risk Themes Identification

·       Definition and characteristics of a risk theme

·       How themes reflect patterns or systemic concerns

·       Integration of qualitative and quantitative indicators

2.3 Prioritisation Criteria

·       Criteria used by ASQA to determine priority risks

·       Consideration of scale, likelihood, severity, and impact

·       Evidence and research-based prioritisation

3. The Six Current Risk Themes (2025–26)

3.1 Academic Integrity

·       Definition and relevance in the VET context

·       Threats to quality, credibility, and public trust

·       Compliance expectations under the Standards for RTOs

·       Strategies to uphold academic honesty and rigour

3.2 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

·       Purpose and value of RPL within VET

·       Common risks in RPL assessment processes

·       Regulatory standards governing RPL

·       Requirements for evidence, assessor competence, and validation

3.3 Shortened Course Duration

·       Definition and regulatory significance

·       Risks associated with reduced volume of learning

·       Compliance with volume of learning and outcome-based assessment

·       Managing duration adjustments within regulatory bounds

3.4 Student Work Placement

·       Importance of workplace-based learning in certain qualifications

·       Potential risks relating to supervision, suitability, and alignment

·       ASQA’s expectations for placement arrangements

·       Risk controls and monitoring during placements

3.5 Marketing, Recruitment and Delivery of International Education

·       Regulatory requirements for CRICOS providers

·       Risk factors in marketing, enrolment, and delivery to international students

·       Legislative compliance with the ESOS Act and National Code

·       Transparency, accuracy, and student welfare obligations

3.6 Non-Genuine Providers and Bad Faith Operators

·       Indicators of non-genuine or exploitative providers

·       Impact on students, sector integrity, and funding misuse

·       ASQA’s response mechanisms and enforcement actions

·       Promoting ethical conduct and organisational accountability

4. Sector-Specific Risks

4.1 Industries with Elevated Risk

·       Identification of high-risk industry sectors

·       Factors contributing to higher risk classification

·       Impact of industry complexity, licensing, and public safety considerations

4.2 Tailoring Risk Management in Different Industry Contexts

·       Variations in how risks manifest by industry

·       Customising controls to specific sector needs

·       Cross-sector learning and benchmarking

5. Regulatory Implications for RTOs

5.1 Compliance and Auditing

·       Impact of risk priorities on audit scope and focus

·       Documentation and evidence required for compliance

·       Integration of risk themes into performance assessments

5.2 Consequences of Non-Compliance

·       Range of regulatory enforcement options

·       Reputational, operational, and financial impacts

·       Triggers for investigation and regulatory intervention

5.3 Continuous Improvement and Self-Assurance

·       Role of self-monitoring in maintaining compliance

·       Embedding feedback and improvement systems

·       Alignment with the 2025 Standards for RTOs

6. Risk Management Strategies and Best Practices

6.1 Risk Identification and Assessment

·       Internal mechanisms to identify emerging and systemic risks

·       Risk registers, audits, and stakeholder input

·       Risk likelihood and impact analysis

6.2 Mitigation Measures Across Themes

·       Specific actions to address risks in Academic Integrity

·       Specific actions to address risks in RPL

·       Specific actions to address risks in Work Placements

·       Specific actions to address risks in Shortened Course Duration

·       Specific actions to address risks in Marketing, Recruitment and Delivery of International Education

·       Specific actions to address risks in Non-Genuine Providers and Bad Faith Operators

·       Standardised operating procedures and staff training

·       Embedding mitigation into routine operations

6.3 Monitoring, Review and Reporting

·       Regular review of risk controls and effectiveness

·       Use of indicators and performance data

·       Clear internal reporting and governance

7. Practical Implementation in an RTO

7.1 Policy and Procedure Development

·       Developing policies to address specific risk themes

·       Incorporating regulatory expectations into procedures

·       Documenting processes for consistency and accountability

7.2 Staff Training and Capacity Building

·       Training staff on emerging risks and compliance duties

·       Building organisational knowledge of ASQA risk priorities

·       Reinforcing roles and responsibilities across teams

7.3 Documentation, Evidence and Record Keeping

·       Record-keeping obligations related to risk management

·       Ensuring completeness, accuracy, and accessibility

·       Supporting internal and external audit readiness

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.