Over 43,000 qualifications cancelled in VET crackdown as Skills Minister flags labour shortages

Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles, together with Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Chief Executive Officer Saxon Rice, has launched the “Real Skills Deserve Real Recognition” campaign. The initiative aims to crack down on unscrupulous practices in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, particularly misleading marketing and unethical recruitment tactics. More than 43,000 qualifications in sectors such as early childhood education and care, disability support, and aged care have been cancelled since October 2024. The Skills and Training Minister has confirmed that significant skills shortages persist in key industries, including early childhood education, aged care, and construction.