House of Representatives

Second Reading Speech

Mr Garrett (Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth)

I present the explanatory memorandum and I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011 contains amendments that are required to ensure that the new regulatory framework interacts properly with other regulatory frameworks and funding programs and will amend the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000.

Specifics of consequential amendments

The amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 will make the National VET Regulator the designated authority for VET providers registered to deliver VET courses to overseas students. This will allow the National VET Regulator, among other things, to investigate breaches of the national code.

The amendments to the ESOS Act will also allow the government to incorporate nationally agreed English Learning Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and foundation program standards through legislative instrument to ensure national consistency and to protect international students.

Amendments to the Higher Education Support Act 2003 will ensure the administration of the VET FEE-HELP Assistance Scheme can work effectively with other Commonwealth regulatory frameworks, in particular with the National VET Regulator. For example, the amendments will allow the sharing of information from the relevant VET regulator, including the National VET Regulator and registering bodies in non-referring state jurisdictions for the purpose of deciding whether to approve a body as a VET provider, or to revoke or suspend a body's approval.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Ms Ley) adjourned.

Leave granted for second reading to resume at a hour this day.