Fact Sheet - Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
What is the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority?
To ensure all schools, training and higher education providers are delivering a quality education we need to make certain they are meeting minimum standards so that all students have the opportunity to reach their potential. To deliver on this, the Victorian Government has established the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) which is responsible for the regulation of all school education and higher education providers (except established universities).
This new Authority incorporates and expands upon the current responsibilities of the Victorian Qualifications Authority and the Registered Schools Board and is the first of its kind in Australia.
Why should a consistent regulatory regime be required for government and non-government schools?
There is an expectation of minimum standards of registration for all schools to assure the community that its young people, whatever their personal or family circumstances and choice of school, will have access to a high quality education.
A common and flexible regulatory regime will ensure all schools are accountable to the same minimum standards, so that all Victorian students have the opportunity to reach their learning potential. This is a light-touch approach to regulation and will not place greater administrative burdens on non-government schools or undermine their independence.
What are the VRQA’s main functions?
The new Authority is responsible for:
- the initial registration and ongoing monitoring of all schools and higher education providers (except universities established under their own Acts)
- the registration of students being home schooled
- the accreditation of courses and registration of qualifications
- the authorisation of providers to conduct or award those courses and qualifications.
Can the VRQA ‘de-register’ a provider?
Where a provider has failed to meet the minimum standards and improvement processes have proven ineffective, the new Act enables the VRQA to de-register an education provider - as a last resort. However, a provider would need to go through a number of stages before such a point was reached. One of the tasks of the new Authority is to advise the Minister on the most appropriate process for de-registration, should it be required.
How can I get more information?
For more information, see the VRQA (http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/).