Study Group Australia lose VET registration

Published 16/01/2018

Study Group’s registration to deliver vocational programs in Australia has been cancelled, according to a media release from the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

Citing failure to provide necessary assessment, the provider, which operates as ACPE Academy, Martin College, Australian Institute of Applied Sciences, Embassy English, Taylors College, ANU College, Flinders International Study Centre, and Taylors Unilink, has been forced to cancel its VET qualifications and statements of attainment, affecting both domestic and international students.

It is not known at this time how many international students are affected by the decision.

“This scrutiny identified that the training provider was non-compliant with the requirements of the VET Quality Framework”

The decision comes after ongoing scrutiny of the provider’s regulatory compliance, which found low qualification rate completion, poor enrollment processes, misleading marketing and recruitment practices and poor staff training and resources.

“This scrutiny identified that the training provider was non-compliant with the requirements of the VET Quality Framework, which all registered training organisations are required to satisfy as a condition of registration,” ASQA chief commissioner Mark Paterson said in a statement.

“Study Group Australia was issued with a notice of intention to cancel its registration in September 2017. Study Group Australia’s response to the notice was considered by ASQA’s Commissioners however it did not address adequately the non-compliances identified.”

ASQA’s decision is a serious blow for the company, which last year reportedly went up for sale and finalised six US pathway partnerships, as well as Australia’s VET sector, which was targeted last year in legislative changes to shut out “rorters and shonks”.

“Australia’s regulatory protections for international students are regarded worldwide as being strong and robust. If there is evidence to indicate an education provider is breaching those protections, ACPET supports swift rectification,” ACPET chief executive Rod Cam said at the time.

The cancellation of Study Group’s VET registration will take effect from 19 February.

We will continue to update this story as it develops.

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