The South Australian Skills Commission (the Commission) remains committed to protecting students, strengthening the quality and integrity of trade training and supporting the development of safe, skilled and industry-ready workers.
Consistent with its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, the Commission will continue to prioritise employer accountability, apprenticeship safety, early intervention and the delivery of effective student support services.
The Commission confirms that Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) delivering institutional training in declared trades outside an approved training contract will not be subject to enforcement action under section 45A of the South Australian Skills Act 2008 in relation to that training.
This position applies to new and continuing institutional trade training enrolments.
Mandatory reporting requirements introduced specifically to monitor institutional trade training for the purposes of section 45A enforcement will cease.
The Commission will contact RTOs previously notified of these requirements to confirm the revised arrangements, including the treatment of existing reporting notices. RTOs may continue providing relevant information voluntarily.
The Commission will strengthen its focus on employer compliance, workplace supervision and risks directly affecting apprentices and trainees undertaking training under approved training contracts. Regulatory activity will prioritise concerns involving employer conduct, training quality, apprentice welfare and compliance with obligations under South Australia's apprenticeship and traineeship framework.
The Commission will continue to work with employers, industry and training providers to promote safe workplaces, support training progression and improve apprenticeship and traineeship outcomes.
The latest National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) data highlights the continued scale of trade training outside apprenticeship and traineeship arrangements in South Australia.
International commencements in selected trade qualifications increased by approximately 58 per cent between 2024 and 2025.
Recognising this growth, the Commission will strengthen awareness of and access to its independent complaint-handling, advocacy, mediation and intervention services for international students undertaking vocational education and training in South Australia.
These services will continue to support students experiencing difficulties with training providers, course progression, practical training arrangements, enrolment agreements, fees, refunds and other matters affecting their training experience.
The Commission will also seek to strengthen cooperation and referral arrangements with relevant Commonwealth agencies, including the Overseas Students Ombudsman and the Australian Skills Quality Authority, to ensure students can access appropriate support and that matters are referred to the responsible regulator where required.
The Commission and the South Australian Government remain committed to strengthening trade training quality, student safeguards and the integrity of Australia's skilled workforce.
Recognising the national nature of vocational education and training regulation, the Commission will work with the South Australian Government to seek Commonwealth engagement on a coordinated national response to institutional trade training.
This work will focus on appropriate practical training arrangements, workplace supervision, transparency of occupational pathways and outcomes, and nationally consistent student protections.