NewsBite

Tip-off line is open to report dodgy colleges anonymously

The vocational education regulator invites whistle blowers to report dodgy colleges to a new tip-off line.

The regulator’s new tip-off line will take calls from anonymous whistleblowers.
The regulator’s new tip-off line will take calls from anonymous whistleblowers.

The national vocational education regulator has welcomed a government injection of $38m to help it clamp down on unethical and “possibly illegal” behaviour in the sector.

The money will allow the Australian Skills Quality Authority to set up an integrity unit, and improve digital and data systems, to help it expose dodgy colleges.

It will also establish a tip-off line for whistleblowers to report unethical and illegal activity.

The tip-off line will accept information from current and former students and others connected with the industry, such as homestay hosts and employers of international students. Informants will be able to remain anonymous.

ASQA chief executive Saxon Rice said the majority of vocational education providers delivered quality training “but unfortunately there are some within the sector that don’t share that motivation”.

The tip-off line will be open from 9am Wednesday eastern daylight saving time.

The number to call is 1300 644 844.

Tim Dodd
Tim DoddHigher Education Editor

Tim Dodd is The Australian's higher education editor. He has over 25 years experience as a journalist covering a wide variety of areas in public policy, economics, politics and foreign policy, including reporting from the Canberra press gallery and four years based in Jakarta as South East Asia correspondent for The Australian Financial Review. He was named 2014 Higher Education Journalist of the Year by the National Press Club.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/tipoff-line-is-open-to-report-dodgy-colleges-anonymously/news-story/3c2c40764164d87e701cfa74da1f806f