ASQA Tribunal decision affirms cancellation of former Gills College childcare qualifications

The integrity of early childhood education and care (ECEC) qualifications has come under renewed national focus following a ruling by the Administrative Review Tribunal, which has affirmed the Australian Skills Quality Authority’s (ASQA) decision to cancel childcare qualifications issued by former registered training organisation Gills College.

The Tribunal’s decision reinforces ASQA’s long‑running concerns about the provider, which traded under the names Elite College Australia and Sterling Business College before its registration was cancelled in November 2024 after extensive compliance investigations.

ASQA found that Gills College had issued qualifications and statements of attainment without delivering sufficient training or assessment, and without ensuring students had met the competency requirements mandated under the national VET framework.

ASQA’s subsequent regulatory action resulted in the cancellation of qualifications and/or statements of attainment issued to more than 3,300 individuals, including those in early childhood education and care.

ASQA warns students about fast‑tracked RPL schemes

ASQA CEO Saxon Rice welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important affirmation of the regulator’s role in protecting the integrity of Australia’s VET sector.

She urged prospective students to be cautious of providers offering unrealistic or misleading Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways, noting that “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

ASQA highlighted several red flags that may indicate a non‑genuine provider, including marketing claims such as:

• “no classes to attend”
• “no study or exams required”
• “receive your qualification in 7 days”
• “100% guarantee of a successful qualification”
• “fast‑tracked pathway to skilled migration”

A Fact Sheet for students is also available on the ASQA website, providing clear guidance on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and how to identify legitimate assessment pathways.

Significant implications for the childcare sector

The Tribunal’s decision is expected to resonate strongly across the ECEC sector, where qualification integrity has become a critical workforce and regulatory issue amid ongoing educator shortages.

For Approved Providers and service leaders, the ruling reinforces the importance of:

• Robust recruitment and verification processes, particularly where qualifications were obtained through accelerated RPL pathways
• Auditing staff files for qualifications issued by Gills College or its trading names
• Ensuring educators hold valid, compliant qualifications to meet National Law and National Regulations requirements

ASQA confirmed that, as at 31 March 2026, it had cancelled more than 43,000 qualifications and/or statements of attainment across sectors including early childhood education and care, disability support and aged care.

A sector‑wide reminder: qualification integrity matters

The Tribunal’s ruling sends a clear message: quality training and legitimate assessment are non‑negotiable, particularly in sectors responsible for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable Australians.

For the childcare workforce, where qualifications underpin both regulatory compliance and educator capability, the decision underscores the need for vigilance, due diligence and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the profession.

Read the full announcment on the ASQA website.