Modernising opportunities in qualification design to deliver high-quality, fit-for-purpose, and adaptable training package products for Australia’s diverse vocational education and training (VET) sector.
A new approach to VET qualification design
On 6 December 2024, Skills Ministers agreed to a new, purpose-based approach to VET qualifications design that is guided by design principles and will improve quality, simplify course designs and reduce complexity. This represents a shift away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to qualification design and a step towards lifting the relevance and value of VET qualifications for learners and employers. The model is a key element to meeting the objectives and priorities outlined in the National Skills Agreement.
From 1 July 2025, an updated Training Package Organising Framework will come into effect which embeds a new purpose-led, principles-based approach to VET qualification design that enables training package developers to design adaptable training package products, supported by updated and new templates, to meet the diverse needs of industries.
This new approach preserves the strengths of the VET sector and supports safety and quality in training outcomes, while providing opportunities for new approaches where needed. This recognises that industries will move at different speeds, depending on the needs and priorities of their sector and stakeholders. Some will adopt new approaches; others will retain structures that work.
Jobs and Skills Councils will lead reform by identifying priorities through workforce planning and training product development activities, engaging with states and territories to align training pathways with policy and funding, and using evidence to link qualifications to occupational outcomes.
What are the key changes?
The new approach to qualification design introduces several key changes:
- Moving to a qualification-first approach, based on designing a coherent body of knowledge and skills, rather than an approach focused on developing a large range of units of competency to reflect all functions and tasks, which are then packaged into qualifications with lengthy lists of electives of varying use.
- Providing choice to qualification developers when designing qualifications – through new templates – to either describe job functions and tasks, or to describe the knowledge and skills outcomes obtained from training to support greater adaptability.
- Consistently embedding foundation skills as a holistic outcome of a qualification, rather than as a narrow component of every individual unit of competency.
- Strengthened principles to underpin development of VET qualifications, including drawing on data and evidence, removing duplication and unnecessary specification to enable flexible and high-quality delivery, and drawing on broad industry and educator expertise when developing qualifications.
Factsheet on the updated approach to VET qualification design
Resource support
The new purpose-led, principles-based approach to qualification design supports the development of high-quality qualifications that respond to industry changes, bring in educational perspectives, and make the VET system easier to understand and navigate.
The following resources have been developed to support stakeholders to understand – and where relevant to communicate – the phased implementation and cultural shift in qualification design.
A purpose-led, principles-based approach
• VET qualification reform – principles fact sheet
Jobs and Skills Councils
• VET qualification reform - Jobs and Skills Councils fact sheet
Registered Training Organisations
• VET qualification reform – Registered Training Organisations fact sheet
Qualification Reform Journey
Qualification reform began with a shared commitment in 2020, with Commonwealth and state and territory governments signing the Heads of Agreement on Skills Reform – aimed to improve the vocational education and training (VET) system.
Between 2020 and 2023, national stakeholder engagement demonstrated a need for qualification design reform — with agreement that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not in the best interest of learners or industry. This engagement highlighted that care must be taken to protect the structural elements of the VET system that are highly valued, work well, and meet high risk occupations and licensing requirements.
In response, Skills Ministers established a time-limited tripartite Qualification Reform Design Group in June 2023, with representatives from unions, employers, educators, and state and territory governments, to provide advice on the design of a reform process for VET qualifications.
Throughout 2024 the Design Group and Commonwealth, state and territory officials worked to develop the approach, considering how it may apply in different sectors and deliver high-quality qualifications to students, industries and educators, supported by consultations with key stakeholders. As part of this work, Jobs and Skills Councils undertook Demonstration Projects to explore how a new model could be applied in practice and test its value across different industries and workforce contexts.
Drawing on these insights, Skills Ministers agreed to the new purpose-led, principles-based approach in December 2024, paving the way for national implementation and marking a major milestone in the journey.
Final advice from the Qualification Reform Design Group to Skills Ministers, December 2024
Initial advice from the Qualification Reform Design Group to Skills Ministers, March 2024