CRICOS Australia: Combating Non-Genuine Providers
ASQA’s recent environmental scan highlighted some alarming trends among certain CRICOS providers, such as:
- Visa fraud by neglecting to enforce class attendance or progression requirements.
- Academic cheating to swiftly meet assessment standards.
These unethical practices not only compromise the quality of education but also endanger international students. ASQA is prioritizing the elimination of these non-genuine providers.
ASQA’s Strategy for Upholding Standards
Recent legislative changes have empowered ASQA to safeguard the VET sector’s quality and integrity. Key initiatives include:
- Strengthening the Integrity Unit to enhance training quality for international students.
- Establishing a tip-off hotline to detect and address illegal activities by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
- Upgrading digital and data systems to bolster regulatory actions.
The Integrity Unit is crucial in identifying and closing down ‘ghost colleges’—institutions that issue fraudulent qualifications without requiring student attendance. ASQA’s proactive measures encompass compliance blitzes, unannounced site visits, monitoring student visa conditions, and issuing penalties for non-compliance.
Critical Focus Areas
To ensure compliance and uphold educational standards, RTOs must concentrate on 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 behaviour.
- Financial Viability and Marketing Practices to ensure transparency and honesty.
Staying Vigilant and Proactive
Given the increasing risks posed by non-genuine CRICOS Australia providers, it is essential for RTOs to remain vigilant and proactive. By understanding ASQA’s regulatory priorities for 2024-25 and implementing robust compliance measures, RTOs can protect their integrity and continue providing high-quality education to international students.
For a more detailed overview of ASQA’s 2024-25 regulatory risk priorities, read this blog post.
