CAQA NEWS BLAST | 26 October 2026
Stronger regulatory action, qualification integrity and the 2025 Standards take centre stage.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has released its 2025–26 Annual Report, providing important insights into the national regulator's activities, compliance outcomes and regulatory direction.
Covering the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, the report highlights a significant year for Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector, particularly following the introduction of the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations.
The message for RTOs is clear: quality outcomes, effective self-assurance and assessment integrity remain central to regulatory expectations.
Key Findings from the Report
ASQA's annual report reveals substantial regulatory activity throughout 2025–26:
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3,754 RTOs regulated by ASQA as at 30 June 2026.
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5,725 provider registration applications finalised.
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1,432 assessment and monitoring activities completed.
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5,220 VET tip-offs received.
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110 decisions to cancel registration or reject renewal, involving 60 providers.
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18,941 qualifications and statements of attainment subject to cancellation decisions because they were issued without appropriate training or assessment.
These figures demonstrate ASQA's continued focus on addressing serious non-compliance and protecting confidence in nationally recognised qualifications.
The 2025 Standards: Moving Beyond Compliance
One of the most significant developments highlighted in the report is the implementation of the 2025 Standards for RTOs.
ASQA has emphasised the transition towards a more outcomes-focused approach, placing greater importance on:
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Demonstrating genuine learner outcomes.
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Strengthening organisational self-assurance.
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Embedding continuous improvement into everyday operations.
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Ensuring training and assessment practices deliver meaningful, industry-relevant outcomes.
For RTOs, this means compliance should not simply be about maintaining policies and procedures. Providers must be able to demonstrate how their systems, processes and practices support quality training and assessment.
Assessment Integrity Remains a Priority
The report reinforces ASQA's determination to address non-genuine providers and protect the integrity of Australian qualifications.
With almost 19,000 qualifications and statements of attainment subject to cancellation decisions during the reporting period, the importance of genuine training and valid assessment remains a critical issue for the sector.
RTOs should ensure their assessment systems are supported by appropriate evidence, effective validation practices and clear oversight of assessment decisions.
A Stronger Focus on Risk-Based Regulation
ASQA continues to strengthen its intelligence-led, risk-based regulatory approach.
This involves using regulatory intelligence, provider risk profiles and evidence to identify potential compliance concerns and target regulatory activity.
For providers, effective governance, accurate reporting, risk management and reliable quality assurance systems remain essential.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of VET
The report also acknowledges the increasing influence of artificial intelligence across the VET sector.
During 2025–26, ASQA led the development of its Principles for the Responsible Use of AI in VET, recognising both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technology.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into training and assessment, RTOs should consider how they maintain human oversight, protect student information and ensure assessment decisions remain valid and reliable.
What Should RTOs Do Now?
While the Annual Report does not itself introduce new compliance requirements, its findings provide valuable insight into ASQA's regulatory priorities.
CAQA recommends that RTOs:
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Review their implementation of the 2025 Standards, focusing on demonstrable outcomes.
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Evaluate assessment practices, validation processes and evidence of competency.
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Strengthen self-assurance and internal quality monitoring.
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Review governance, risk management and continuous improvement processes.
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Establish clear policies and appropriate safeguards for AI use in training and assessment.
CAQA's Perspective
ASQA's latest Annual Report reinforces an important message for the VET sector: regulatory compliance must
be supported by genuine quality practices, not simply documentation.
RTOs that proactively review their systems, identify risks and demonstrate effective quality assurance will be better positioned to respond to evolving regulatory expectations.
At CAQA, we continue to support RTOs through compliance consulting, internal audits, validation services, quality assurance systems and professional development.
The priority for providers should be clear: build quality into everyday operations, rather than treating compliance as a periodic exercise.
Read the full ASQA Annual Report 2025–26:
Source: Australian Skills Quality Authority, Annual Report 2025–26, published 22 October 2026.
CAQA Group | Supporting Quality, Compliance and Excellence in VET