Skills and education compliance in India
India's skills system is regulated nationally by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), while higher education has its own regulators. Many Indian organisations also partner with, set up or buy Australian training providers. CAQA helps with both: quality systems for Indian providers, and the Australian route for those entering Australia.
Registration. Quality systems. Australian partnerships.
Who regulates skills and education providers in India
- NCVET, under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, recognises and regulates awarding bodies and assessment agencies.
- Training centres usually operate through an NCVET-recognised awarding body or sector skill council, which accredits and affiliates them.
- Higher education is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), with AICTE for technical programmes and NCTE for teacher education; private universities are created by state Acts.
- The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill 2025, which would replace UGC, AICTE and NCTE, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15 December 2025 and referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee the next day. It is not law, so UGC and AICTE remain the regulators.
Becoming a recognised skills provider
- Decide whether you will train under an existing awarding body or seek recognition as an awarding body yourself.
- For training centres, meet the accreditation and affiliation requirements of the awarding body or sector skill council.
- For awarding body status, apply to NCVET under its recognition guidelines.
- Build the assessment, record keeping and quality systems that recognition and affiliation require.
Working with Australia
Australia is a major partner for Indian education organisations. The rules that matter most:
- To register an Australian RTO, you need an Australian company with an ABN or ACN, governing persons who meet ASQA's Fit and Proper Person Requirements, and financial viability assessed independently before you apply. The RTO must train students in Australia.
- Buying an Australian RTO does not transfer registration to a new entity; ownership changes of 15% or more must be notified to ASQA.
- Since 5 December 2025, only RTOs with at least two years of domestic delivery in Australia can apply for CRICOS registration, with limited exemptions.
See entering the Australian VET market for the full route.
How CAQA helps Indian organisations
- Quality systems and assessment practice for skills providers
- Awarding body and affiliation preparation
- Due diligence on Australian RTOs before purchase
- Australian RTO registration and, after two years of domestic delivery, CRICOS registration
- Partnership and offshore delivery arrangements with Australian RTOs
We work with Indian organisations remotely and on site by arrangement, and agree the consultant, scope, fees and time zone before work starts.
Questions from Indian organisations
Has the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill replaced UGC and AICTE?
No. It is still before a Joint Parliamentary Committee and is not law.
Can we buy an Australian RTO that already enrols international students?
Yes, by buying the shares of an RTO that is already a CRICOS provider, which keeps its registration. ASQA must be notified before the change takes effect, and a change of 50% or more brings a new financial viability assessment and closer scrutiny. Registration cannot move to a new entity, and a brand new RTO needs at least two years of domestic delivery before it can apply for CRICOS.
Can an Australian RTO be registered just to train students in India?
No. An RTO must deliver training to students in Australia.
Sources
Countries we work in
Working in Australia? See our consultancy services.