NATIONAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING REGULATOR ACT 2011

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

PART 1--INTRODUCTION

Division 1--Preliminary

• 1 Short title  
• 2 Commencement  
• 2A Objects  

Division 2--Definitions

• 3 Definitions  
• 3A Vacancy in the office of an Advisory Council member  

Division 3--Constitutional basis for this Act and the Transitional Act

• 4 Constitutional basis for this Act and the Transitional Act  
• 5 Meaning of referring State  
• 6 Meaning of referred VET matters  
• 7 Meaning of non - referring State  
• 8 When application of this Act takes effect  
• 9 Immunity from State and Territory laws  
• 10 When this Act does not apply--exclusion by a law of a referring State or a Territory  
• 11 Addressing inconsistency between Commonwealth and State and Territory laws  

Division 4--General application of this Act and the Transitional Act

• 12 Acts bind the Crown  
• 13 Acts not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power  
• 14 Extension of Acts to external Territories  
• 15 Extra - territorial application  

PART 2--REGISTRATION

Division 1--Registering as an NVR registered training organisation

• 16 Application for registration  
• 17 Registration  
• 17A Requirements for audits conducted in relation to applications for registration  
• 17B Order of consideration of initial applications for registration  
• 18 National VET Regulator to notify applicant of decision on registration  
• 19 National VET Regulator to issue certificate of registration  
• 20 Commencement and duration of registration  
Subdivision B--Conditions of registration
• 21 Complying with conditions  
• 22 Condition--compliance with the VET Quality Framework  
• 22A Condition--commitment and capability to deliver quality vocational education and training  
• 23 Condition--satisfying Fit and Proper Person Requirements  
• 24 Condition--satisfying the Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements  
• 24A Condition--complying with student assistance laws  
• 25 Condition--notifying National VET Regulator of material changes  
• 26 Condition--other information etc. must be provided  
• 26A Copies of documents  
• 26B National VET Regulator may retain documents  
• 27 Condition--cooperation  
• 28 Condition--compliance with directions given by the National VET Regulator  
• 29 Other conditions  
• 30 National VET Regulator to notify NVR registered training organisation of change in conditions of registration  
Subdivision C--Renewing registration
• 31 Renewal of registration  

Division 2--Changing the scope of registration

• 32 Application for change of scope of registration  
• 33 Change of scope of registration  
• 34 National VET Regulator to notify applicant of decision on change of scope of registration  

Division 3--Ensuring compliance with the VET Quality Framework

• 35 Audits  
Subdivision AA--Directions to rectify breaches of conditions
• 35A Directions to rectify breaches of conditions  
Subdivision B--Administrative sanctions
• 36 Sanctions  
• 37 Natural justice requirements  
• 38 Suspension  
• 39 Cancellation  
• 40 Other enforcement action  

Division 4--Requests for reassessment

• 41 Requests for reassessment  

Division 5--Withdrawing registration

• 42 Withdrawing registration  

PART 3--ACCREDITATION--OF COURSES

Division 1--Applying for accreditation

• 43 Application for accreditation  
• 44 Accreditation of course  
• 45 National VET Regulator to notify applicant of decision on accreditation of course  
• 46 Commencement and duration of accreditation  

Division 2--Conditions of accreditation

• 47 Complying with conditions  
• 47A Condition--compliance with Standards for VET Accredited Courses  
• 47B Condition--compliance with Australian Qualifications Framework  
• 47C Condition--compliance with directions given by the National VET Regulator  
• 48 Conditions  
• 49 National VET Regulator to notify relevant person of change in conditions of accreditation  

Division 3--Renewing accreditation

• 50 Renewal of accreditation  

Division 4--Amending VET accredited courses

• 51 Amending VET accredited courses  

Division 5--Cancelling accreditation

• 52 Cancelling accreditation  
• 53 National VET Regulator to notify relevant persons of proposed cancellation  
• 54 When cancellation takes effect  

PART 4--NATIONAL--VET REGULATOR'S POWER TO ISSUE AND CANCEL VET QUALIFICATIONS ETC.

Division 1--Issue of VET qualifications and VET statements of attainment

• 55 National VET Regulator may issue VET qualifications and VET statements of attainment  

Division 2--Cancellation of VET qualifications and VET statements of attainment

• 56 National VET Regulator may cancel VET qualifications and VET statements of attainment  
• 57 National VET Regulator to notify person concerned of proposed cancellation  
• 58 National VET Regulator's consideration of response  
• 59 When cancellation takes effect  
Subdivision B--Civil penalties
• 60 Civil penalty--failure to return VET qualification or VET statement of attainment  
• 61 Civil penalty--use of cancelled VET qualification or VET statement of attainment  
• 61A Civil penalty--failure to comply with direction under subsection 56(2)  

PART 5--INVESTIGATIVE--POWERS

Division 1--Requiring people to give information and produce documents or things

• 62 Requests for information, documents or things  
• 63 National VET Regulator may retain documents and things  
Subdivision B--Offence and related provisions
• 64 Failure to comply with National VET Regulator's request  
• 65 Self - incrimination etc.  

Division 2--Searches of premises

• 66 Authorised officer may enter premises by consent or under a warrant  
• 67 Monitoring powers of authorised officers  
• 68 Enforcement powers of authorised officers  
• 69 Persons assisting authorised officers  
• 70 Use of force in executing a warrant  
• 71 Authorised officer may ask questions and seek production of documents  
Subdivision B--Obligations and incidental powers of authorised officers
• 72 Consent  
• 73 Announcement before entry under warrant  
• 74 Authorised officer to be in possession of warrant  
• 75 Details of warrant etc. to be given to occupier  
• 76 Expert assistance to operate electronic equipment  
• 77 Compensation for damage to electronic equipment  
Subdivision C--Occupier's rights and responsibilities
• 78 Occupier entitled to observe execution of warrant  
• 79 Occupier to provide authorised officer with facilities and assistance  
Subdivision D--General provisions relating to seizure
• 80 Copies of seized things to be provided  
• 81 Receipts for things seized  
• 82 Return of seized things  
• 83 Issuing officer may permit a thing to be retained  
• 84 Disposal of things  
Subdivision E--Warrants
• 85 Monitoring warrants  
• 86 Issue of enforcement warrants  
• 87 Enforcement warrants by telephone, fax etc.  
• 88 Offence relating to warrants by telephone, fax etc.  
Subdivision F--Appointment of authorised officers and issue of identity cards
• 89 Appointment of authorised officers  
• 90 Identity cards  
Subdivision G--Powers of issuing officers
• 91 Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)--consent to nomination  
• 92 Issuing officers--personal capacity  

PART 6--ENFORCEMENT

Division 1--Offences and civil penalty provisions

• 93 Offence--providing all or part of VET course outside scope of registration  
• 94 Civil penalty--providing all or part of VET course outside scope of registration  
• 95 Offence--issuing VET qualification outside scope of registration  
• 96 Civil penalty--issuing VET qualification outside scope of registration  
• 97 Offence--issuing VET statement of attainment outside scope of registration  
• 98 Civil penalty--issuing VET statement of attainment outside scope of registration  
• 99 Offence--advertising all or part of VET course outside scope of registration  
• 100 Civil penalty--advertising all or part of VET course outside scope of registration  
• 100A Offence--making false or misleading representation in advertisement  
• 100B Civil penalty--making false or misleading representation in advertisement  
• 100C Offence--making false or misleading representation relating to VET course, VET qualification or operations  
• 100D Civil penalty--making false or misleading representation relating to VET course, VET qualification or operations  
• 101 Offence--certain conduct prohibited while scope of registration suspended  
• 102 Civil penalty--certain conduct prohibited while scope of registration suspended  
• 103 Offence--issuing VET qualification without providing adequate assessment  
• 104 Civil penalty--issuing VET qualification without providing adequate assessment  
• 105 Offence--issuing VET statement of attainment without providing adequate assessment  
• 106 Civil penalty--issuing VET statement of attainment without providing adequate assessment  
• 107 Offence--issuing VET qualification without ensuring student satisfied requirements  
• 108 Civil penalty--issuing VET qualification without ensuring student satisfied requirements  
• 109 Offence--issuing VET statement of attainment without ensuring student satisfied requirements  
• 110 Civil penalty--issuing VET statement of attainment without ensuring student satisfied requirements  
• 111 Civil penalty--breach of condition of registration  
• 112 Civil penalty--failure to return certificate of registration  
• 113 Geographical jurisdiction  
Subdivision B--Conduct that is prohibited if not an NVR registered training organisation
• 114 Offence--falsely claiming to be an NVR registered training organisation  
• 115 Civil penalty--falsely claiming to be an NVR registered training organisation  
• 116 Offence--providing, or offering to provide, all or part of a VET course without registration  
• 117 Civil penalty--providing, or offering to provide, all or part of a VET course without registration  
• 118 Offence--issuing VET qualification  
• 119 Civil penalty--issuing VET qualification  
• 120 Offence--issuing VET statement of attainment  
• 121 Civil penalty--issuing VET statement of attainment  
Subdivision C--Other prohibited conduct
• 122 Offence--making false or misleading representation in advertisement  
• 123 Civil penalty--making false or misleading representation in advertisement  
• 123A Offence--advertising or offering VET course without identifying issuer of VET qualification or statement of attainment  
• 123B Civil penalty--advertising or offering VET course without identifying issuer of VET qualification or statement of attainment  
• 124 Offence--making false or misleading representation relating to VET course or VET qualification  
• 125 Civil penalty--making false or misleading representation relating to VET course or VET qualification  
• 126 Offence--purporting to issue VET qualification  
• 127 Civil penalty--purporting to issue VET qualification  
• 128 Offence--purporting to issue VET statement of attainment  
• 129 Civil penalty--purporting to issue VET statement of attainment  
• 130 Civil penalty--breach of condition of accreditation  
• 131 Civil penalty--using a bogus VET qualification or VET statement of attainment  
• 132 Geographical jurisdiction  
Subdivision D--Executive officers
• 133 Personal liability of an executive officer of a registered training organisation--general  
• 133A Personal liability of an executive officer of a registered training organisation--offences covered  
• 134 Reasonable steps to prevent offence or contravention  
Subdivision E--Partnerships
• 135 Liability of partners in partnerships  
Subdivision F--Unincorporated associations
• 136 Liability of members of unincorporated associations  

Division 2--Civil penalty proceedings

• 137 Federal Court or Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) may impose pecuniary penalty  
• 138 Involvement in contravening civil penalty provision  
• 139 Recovery of a pecuniary penalty  
• 140 Gathering information for application for pecuniary penalty  
• 141 Continuing and multiple contraventions of civil penalty provisions  
Subdivision B--Civil penalty proceedings and criminal proceedings
• 142 Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings  
• 143 Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings  
• 144 Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings  
• 145 Evidence given in proceedings for civil penalty not admissible in criminal proceedings  

Division 3--Enforceable undertakings

• 146 Acceptance of undertakings  
• 147 Enforcement of undertakings  

Division 4--Infringement notices

• 148 Infringement notices in respect of offences  
• 149 Infringement notices in respect of civil penalty provisions  

Division 5--Injunctions

• 150 Injunctions  
• 151 Interim injunctions  
• 152 Discharge etc. of injunctions  
• 153 Certain limits on granting injunctions not to apply  
• 154 Other powers of the Federal Court or Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) unaffected  

PART 7--ADMINISTRATION

Division 1--National Vocational Education and Training Regulator

• 155 Establishment  
• 157 Functions of the National VET Regulator  
• 157A National VET Regulator to cooperate with assessments  
• 158 Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements  
• 159 Independence of the National VET Regulator  
• 160 Minister may give directions to the National VET Regulator  
• 161 National VET Regulator has privileges and immunities of the Crown  
Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions of the National VET Regulator
• 162 Appointment  
• 163 Acting appointments  
• 164 Remuneration  
• 165 Leave of absence  
• 166 Other paid work  
• 167 Other terms and conditions  
• 168 Resignation  
• 169 Termination of appointment  
Subdivision C--Staff and consultants
• 170 Staff required to assist the National VET Regulator  
• 171 Staff to be made available to the National VET Regulator  
• 172 Consultants  
Subdivision D--Application of the finance law
• 173 Application of the finance law  

Division 2--National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Advisory Council

• 174 Establishment  
• 175 Function  
• 176 Minister may give directions to the Advisory Council  
Subdivision B--Appointment and terms and conditions of the Advisory Council
• 177 Membership  
• 178 Appointment  
• 179 Acting appointments  
• 180 Remuneration  
• 181 Leave of absence  
• 182 Disclosure of interests to the Minister  
• 183 Disclosure of interests to the Advisory Council  
• 184 Other terms and conditions  
• 184A Resignation  
• 184B Termination of appointment  
Subdivision C--Procedures of the Advisory Council
• 184C Times and places of meetings  
• 184D Conduct of meetings  
• 184E Voting at meetings  
• 184F Minutes  
• 184G Decisions without meetings  

PART 8--COMMONWEALTH---STATE ARRANGEMENTS

Division 1--Role of Ministerial Council

• 185 Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations  
• 186 Fit and Proper Person Requirements  
• 187 Data Provision Requirements  
Subdivision B--VET accredited courses
• 188 Standards for VET Accredited Courses  
Subdivision C--VET Regulators
• 189 Standards for VET Regulators  
• 190 Risk Assessment Framework  
Subdivision D--Miscellaneous
• 191 How the Ministerial Council gives agreement  
• 191A Adopting matters contained in other instruments as in force from time to time  

Division 2--Conferral of functions and powers by State law

• 192 Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on the National VET Regulator by corresponding State laws  
• 193 Meaning of imposes a duty  
• 194 When duty imposed  
• 195 Duty imposed by corresponding State law applying Commonwealth law  
Subdivision B--Jurisdiction of federal courts
• 196 Conferral of jurisdiction on federal courts  
Subdivision C--Administrative decisions
• 197 Review of certain decisions under State laws  
Subdivision D--Application to the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory
• 198 Application to the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory  

PART 9--ADMINISTRATIVE--LAW MATTERS

Division 1--Review of decisions

• 199 Reviewable decisions  
• 200 Applications for reconsideration of decisions  
• 201 Reconsideration by the National VET Regulator  
• 202 Deadline for reconsideration  
• 203 Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal  

Division 2--Information management

• 204 Unauthorised disclosure of VET information  
Subdivision B--Information sharing
• 205 Disclosure of information by National VET Regulator  
• 205A Disclosing information to certain government bodies etc.  
• 206 Advising State/Territory Education Ministers about concerns or proposed cancellation of registration  
• 207 Disclosure of information to occupational licensing bodies etc.  
• 208 Disclosure of information in accordance with international cooperative arrangements  
• 209 Release of information to the public by the National VET Regulator  
• 209A Release of information to the public by the Department  
• 210 Disclosure of information to the National VET Regulator  
• 210A Disclosure of information by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research etc.  
• 210B Disclosure and release of information by the Department etc.  
• 210C This Subdivision does not limit disclosure of information  
Subdivision C--VET student records
• 211 VET student records to be provided to National VET Regulator--executive officers etc.  
• 212 National VET Regulator may request VET student records to be provided to Regulator  
• 213 Transfer of VET student records to another registered training organisation  
• 214 National VET Regulator's management of VET student records  
Subdivision D--Information safeguard rules
• 214A Information safeguard rules  
Subdivision E--VET data systems
• 214B Collection, use or disclosure of information  

PART 10--REPORTING--REQUIREMENTS

• 215 Annual report  
• 216 National Register  

PART 11--CORPORATE--PLANS

• 218 Approval of corporate plan  
• 219 Variation of corporate plan  
• 219A Application of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013  
• 222 Compliance with plans  

PART 12--MISCELLANEOUS

Division 1--Delegations

• 223 Delegation by the Minister  
• 224 Delegation by the National VET Regulator--government authorities etc.  
• 225 Delegation by the National VET Regulator--occupational licensing bodies and other industry bodies  
• 226 Delegation by the National VET Regulator--NVR registered training organisations  
• 226A Delegation by the Secretary  

Division 2--Provisions affecting partnerships

• 227 Partnerships--rights and obligations  
• 228 Continuity of partnerships  
• 229 Partnership ceases to exist  

Division 3--Provisions affecting unincorporated associations

• 230 Unincorporated associations--rights and obligations  
• 231 Unincorporated association ceases to exist  

Division 3A--Quality standards

• 231A Quality Standards  

Division 3B--Audit report rules

• 231B Audit report rules  

Division 3C--Suspension of initial applications for registration

• 231C Minister may suspend processing of initial applications for registration  
• 231D Minister may suspend making of initial applications for registration  
• 231E Minister to consult the National VET Regulator  
• 231F Agreement of Ministerial Council  
• 231G Notice of determination must be published on National VET Regulator's website  

Division 4--Miscellaneous

• 232 Fees  
• 232A National VET Regulator annual registration charge  
• 232B Recovery of charges  
• 233 Protection from civil actions  
• 233A Failure to publish or broadcast advertisement or make offer or representation not actionable if Act would be contravened  
• 234 Compensation for acquisition of property  
• 235 Regulations