ASQA begins process to cancel childcare qualifications issued by former RTO

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Fiona Alston

Jul 03, 2026

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The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has commenced issuing Notices of Intent to Cancel a number of nationally recognised qualifications issued by former registered training organisation Unique College of Technology (RTO 91358), including qualifications widely held by Australia's early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce.

The regulatory action follows the cancellation of the provider's registration in 2025 and forms part of ASQA's ongoing work to protect the integrity of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system.

While qualifications have not yet been cancelled, individuals who receive a Notice of Intent have an opportunity to respond before ASQA makes a final decision.

Early childhood qualifications affected

Among the qualifications identified by ASQA are three qualifications commonly held by educators working in approved early childhood education and care services:

CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The affected qualifications were issued by Unique College of Technology between 1 June 2022 and 2 September 2025.

The regulator has also identified qualifications across disability support, community services, education support, leadership and management, aged care, property services and several other vocational sectors.

ASQA's decision follows regulatory findings that the former training provider issued qualifications and statements of attainment without adequately demonstrating that students had successfully completed the required training and assessment.

The regulator has indicated that protecting the integrity of nationally recognised qualifications is essential to maintaining confidence in Australia's vocational education system and ensuring graduates possess the skills and knowledge expected of their qualification.

Importantly, the current announcement does not mean every qualification issued by the provider has automatically been cancelled.

Instead, ASQA is writing directly to affected former students through a formal Notice of Intent process.

Recipients are invited to provide additional information or evidence before a final regulatory decision is made.

For educators who completed their qualification in good faith, the process may understandably create uncertainty. ASQA has indicated that each case will be considered individually before any cancellation decision is finalised.

Although the regulatory action is directed at the former training provider and affected graduates, approved providers may wish to remain informed if they employ educators who obtained qualifications through Unique College of Technology.

Providers should avoid making assumptions about employees' qualification status while the regulatory process is underway and instead encourage affected staff to engage directly with ASQA and respond within the required timeframe.

Maintaining open communication with educators will be important, particularly if additional evidence or future training is required.

The action also highlights the importance of qualification integrity across Australia's ECEC sector.

Nationally recognised qualifications underpin educator requirements under the National Quality Framework and play a critical role in ensuring educators have the knowledge and practical skills needed to support children's learning, development and wellbeing.

For approved providers, the announcement serves as a reminder to maintain robust recruitment and verification processes, including confirming qualifications through appropriate documentation and ensuring records remain current.

ASQA's action is one of a number of qualification integrity investigations undertaken in recent years as the regulator continues to strengthen oversight of Australia's vocational education and training sector.

While the process may be concerning for educators affected by the notices, it also reinforces the importance of maintaining confidence in nationally recognised qualifications and protecting the integrity of professions that support children, families and communities every day.

Read ASQA update on former registered training organisation Unique College of Technology here.

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