ASQA and TEQSA sign MOU focused on more efficient quality for dual sector providers
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support better collaboration and the streamlining of regulatory processes in the vocational education and training (VET) and higher education sectors.
The agreement was signed by ASQA CEO Saxon Rice and TEQSA CEO Dr Mary Russell in Melbourne today.
The signed agreement reinforces greater alignment between the two regulators, supporting key opportunities outlined in the ASQA-TEQSA Dual Sector Regulatory Strategy that is intended to support productivity and reducing regulatory inefficiency for dual sector providers.
The MOU demonstrates ASQA and TEQSA’s commitment to prioritise regulatory harmonisation, including:
- Facilitating information sharing and collaboration in key areas to reduce the need for providers to submit similar information to both regulators
- Optimising the alignment of evidence requirements for similar assessments while maintaining regulatory effectiveness, reducing costs to providers who have different requirements for the two regulators, wherever practical and
- Support dual sector providers to mature their corporate and academic governance, including by developing joint guidance, clarifying regulator expectations and simplifying staff training.
These overarching opportunities will be enabled in practice by a newly established Joint Strategic Oversight Committee (JSOC), made up of both ASQA and TEQSA staff, which will provide strategic oversight of both the MOU and the Dual Sector Regulatory Strategy, as well as operational working groups.
The ASQA-TEQSA MOU provides a foundation for supporting strengthened, coordinated regulation of dual sector providers and reducing regulatory duplication, so that providers can focus on delivering quality education and training, supporting outcomes for their students, employers and the community.
Quotes attributable to Saxon Rice, CEO of ASQA
“With a focus on productivity, by signing this MOU both ASQA and TEQSA are ensuring we are collaborating to be as efficient and effective as possible for dual sector providers, by streamlining our regulation, sharing information and reducing inefficiencies, both within our agencies and for providers.”
“Dual sector providers play an increasingly important role in Australia’s tertiary sector, and as the national regulator of vocational education and training ASQA welcomes the formalisation of our ongoing work with TEQSA, building on our Dual Sector Strategy.”
“The ASQA-TEQSA Dual Sector Regulatory Strategy identifies multiple opportunities for regulatory harmonisation which will reduce administrative burden on dual sector providers, providing them with greater opportunity to innovate and focus on quality outcomes for students.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Mary Russell, CEO of TEQSA
“Formally signing the agreement between TEQSA and ASQA builds on the collaborative work already happening between TEQSA and ASQA. The MOU formalises our commitment to exchange information, insights and expertise to support a more connected tertiary education system.”
“The benefits are two-fold. By tightening our operational working relationship, we will minimise unnecessary administration so that Australian providers can focus on delivering quality higher education. This then flows through to better learning outcomes and experiences for students as they navigate the education journey that best secures their qualifications and development.”
ASQA media contact: media@asqa.gov.au
TEQSA media contact: comms@teqsa.gov.au