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committee's report

The committee tabled its report on 23 December 2011.

View:  Report No. 7, 53rd Parliament - Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2011
View:  Interim Government Response

Referral

On 11th October 2011 the Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining, introduced the Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) and Other Acts Bill 2011 into the Queensland Parliament.  Subsequently, Parliament referred the Bill to its Industry, Education, Training and Industrial Relations Committee for detailed consideration, with a reporting date of 6 February 2012.

The Bill

The Bill aims to refer legislative power to the Commonwealth Parliament to regulate registered training organisations under its National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (national VET legislation), with providers of training and training courses in Queensland relating to the liquor and gaming industry to remain under Queensland jurisdiction for two years pending development of alternative options that are consistent with the national VET legislation.

To complete the transfer of power, the Training and Employment Recognition Council would be abolished, and any functions not transferred to the Commonwealth Government would be transferred to Skills Queensland.  Further technical amendments would be made to the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 and the Building Act 1975 to avoid duplications or inconsistencies with the national legislation.   

A national body, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has been established by the Commonwealth Government as a national VET regulator, responsible for administering the national VET legislation. 

The establishment of ASQA is intended to achieve improved employer and consumer confidence in the quality and assessment of VET qualifications; consistent application and enforcement of standards for registered training organisations (RTOs) across the country, and a coordinated response to emerging issues in the VET industry.

Other Information

The Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) and Other Acts Amendment Bill and Explanatory Notes are available from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel.