The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has welcomed a decision by the Administrative Review Tribunal to dismiss the appeals of former registered training organisation (RTO) Productivity Partners Pty Ltd (trading as Captain Cook College) against ASQA's decision to cancel its registration as an RTO.
ASQA cancelled the registration of Productivity Partners on 19 June 2017 after a comprehensive investigation into its widespread abuse of the VET FEE-HELP (VFH) scheme found deliberate, systemic non-compliance with the requirements of the Standards for RTOs.
In November 2018, the ACCC commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Productivity Partners for multiple contraventions of Australian Consumer Law (ACL) arising from the same abuse of the VFH scheme.
In May 2025, the Federal Court ordered Productivity Partners to pay more than $20 million for systemic unconscionable conduct and $750,000 for making false or misleading representations to students in connection with online courses under the VET FEE-HELP loan program.
The Federal Court imposed a further $10 million penalty on Productivity Partners parent company, Site Group International Limited (Site Group), and $400,000 on Mr Blake Wills (Site Group's former Chief Operating Officer (COO) and former CEO of Productivity Partners), who were knowingly concerned in Productivity Partners unconscionable conduct. Mr Wills was also disqualified from managing corporations for 3 years and costs were ordered in favour of ACCC.
Following the Federal Court decision, Productivity Partners went into voluntary administration with administrators applying to the Tribunal to withdraw their applications for review of ASQA's decisions. The Tribunal dismissed the applications effective 4 July 2025.
Subsequent appeals and other legal actions initiated by Site Skills Group Pty Ltd between 2019 and 2022 were also dismissed by the Tribunal and the Federal Court and ASQA's decisions were upheld. Site Skills Group is a former RTO and part of Site Group.
ASQA CEO Saxon Rice said the decisions are an example of cross-agency efforts to ensure the integrity of the VET sector.
"The dismissal of these appeals is a significant step in an ongoing program of work to protect the integrity of the VET sector that originated with ASQA's 2016 VET FEE-HELP Strategic Review," Ms Rice said.
"ASQA works across government - and as part of multi-jurisdictional actions - to prevent, detect, deter and disrupt unscrupulous and fraudulent behaviour which undermines and threatens the majority of providers who are committed to delivering quality VET outcomes."
"Reducing threats to the integrity of VET, through our membership of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce and ongoing activities focused on fraudulent conduct relating to government payment programs and fraudulent qualifications, is a multi-year program."
"These Tribunal and Court decisions and the enforcement and compliance activity of our Integrity Unit continue to send clear messages that risks to the quality and integrity of VET will be taken seriously and acted upon."
"Our actions are supported by a significant uplift in our intelligence, analytic and investigative capacity, together with close collaboration and coordination across government by working with partner agencies and law enforcement bodies."
"Confidence in the integrity of our VET sector and qualifications issued by registered providers is paramount."
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) welcomes the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) (the 2025 Standards) coming into full effect, to streamline compliance and improve student outcomes.
The 2025 Standards are an important milestone for the vocational education and training sector, allowing RTOs more flexibility to demonstrate compliance, supporting innovation in training delivery.
ASQA CEO Saxon Rice said the 2025 Standards will ensure students and employers can continue to have confidence in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
"The 2025 Standards have been developed over the past four years in conjunction with the sector and provide a clearer link between what is expected of providers and the outcomes they deliver," Ms Rice said.
"They are focused on improving student outcomes and better reflect the diversity of the sector, ensuring they are fit-for-purpose and support innovation by providers.
"To support the introduction of the 2025 Standards, we have strengthened our assessment approach and support for providers striving beyond 'compliance' and aiming for excellence in training outcomes."
