Note 2025

Shifting from compliance to quality and innovation: piloting self-accreditation through a higher apprenticeship

Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management
Journal · Vol. 47 · Issue 3 · pp. 435-441
Abstract

Australia’s system of vocational education qualifications, based on competency-based training, has delivered significant benefits to millions of Australians over recent decades. However, the dynamic nature of the economy and the nature of work requires a more agile system, shifting from binary compliance with sometimes rigid Standards for Registered Training Organisations and the qualifications they deliver to a space where training providers can innovate to respond to industry needs and learner requirements. A key recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord Final Report and NSW VET Review is delegating accreditation to select TAFEs and enabling some TAFEs to self-accredit certain higher education courses. These measures aim to streamline accreditation and improve integration between Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education. TAFE NSW is trialling Self-Accrediting Authority in VET operations, mirroring existing Higher Education governance processes. This article outlines TAFE NSW’s education model for Higher Apprenticeships and efforts to respond innovatively to industry. © 2025 Association for Tertiary Education Management.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Innovation regulation education quality self-assurance tertiary harmonisation

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Educational Quality, TAFE NSW, Sydney, Australia
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
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4 Rethinking Tertiary Education, (2023)
5 Out of the Crisis, (1986)
6 Australian Universities Accord Final Report, (2024)
7 Global Development of Community Colleges Technical Colleges and Further Education Programs, (2015)
8 Hackl, Elsa, The Role of the Non-University Sector in Austrian Higher Education, Higher Education Dynamics, 23, pp. 15-41, (2008)
9 Machado-Taylor, Maria De Lourdes, Reframing the Non-University Sector in Europe: Convergence or Diversity?, Higher Education Dynamics, 23, pp. 245-260, (2008)
10 Tafe Nsw Educational Quality Framework and Self Assurance Model Prioritising Quality Over Compliance and Creating A Culture of Continuous Improvement, (2024)
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