National Regulator signed off by Education and Training Ministers

At the meeting of the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE), in Canberra last week, Ministers agreed to the establishment of a national regulator, replacing historic arrangements for states and territories to manage training regulation.

The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, described the agreement as a “landmark” decision. A communiqué issued after the meeting provided some details on the plan, with most states and territories proceeding to assign powers to the Commonwealth for the national regulator.

The decision follows public concern over the number of private college closures in recent months, and concerns by international students at the quality of courses and colleges, especially focused on private college approvals.