The national VET regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has cancelled a number of private college registrations and also assisted police in the arrest of three former college staff.
Eight private for-profit colleges have had their accreditation cancelled in ASQA’s decisions announced on 2 January 2019:
- Lianrick Pty Ltd, trading as Advanced Careers College
- WPK Training Australia Pty Ltd
- Upskilling Training Pty Ltd
- Ultimate Group Pty Ltd, trading as Ultimate Sports Performance
- The Australasian College of Dermatologists
- Organised Transport Pty Ltd trading as Supreme Taxi Co
- New Dream College Pty Ltd
- Mason College Pty Ltd
(ASQA had originally announced 11 RTO cancellations, however SBRM Group Australia Pty Ltd, Missional Pathways Pty Ltd and Performing Arts Education Pty Ltd had their registrations reinstated following review. CCA's original news item is now corrected with this updated information.)
In addition, ASQA reported in late December that nine people have been arrested in relation to alleged forgery of documentation for trade qualifications.
Three ex-employees of a former registered training organisation (RTO) are among nine people arrested following a joint operation led by NSW Police. The operation was assisted by multiple agencies including the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
In June 2018, NSW Police commenced an operation under Strike Force Petrie following reports of the alleged issuance of fraudulent trade qualification certificates and money laundering. ASQA’s Investigations and Regulatory Operations teams provided evidence and intelligence to support the operation.
ASQA officers assisted police investigators from NSW Police, Victoria Police and Queensland Police during the execution of multiple warrants in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on 4 December 2018.
Three ex-employees of a former RTO, Daily Update Pty Ltd, were arrested following the execution of warrants.
ASQA cancelled the registration of Daily Update Pty Ltd, trading as Green Skills Australia (RTO ID 31901), as an RTO on 25 June 2015 following critical non-compliances with assessment practices, including recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment.
