EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Notice of revocation of approval as a provider on request by the provider under subclause 39(1) of Schedule 1A to the Higher Education Support Act 2003
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education
Authority
Subclause 39(1) of Schedule 1A to the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (the Act) provides for the revocation of approval of a body as a VET provider by the Minister if the body requests in writing that the Minister revoke its approval. Subclause 39(3) of Schedule 1A to the Act specifies that the Minister must cause the body to be notified of the revocation in writing at least 14 days before the day on which the revocation is to take effect.
Under paragraph 238-5(1)(b) of the Act, the Minister has delegated his powers under subclauses 39(1) and 39(3) of Schedule 1A to the Act to an APS employee responsible for administering the Act.
Subclause 39(4) of Schedule 1A to the Act stipulates that a notice of revocation under subclause 39(3) of Schedule 1A to the Act is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Purpose
This legislative instrument (the Instrument) revokes the approval of Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd as a VET provider under subclause 39(1) of Schedule 1A to the Act.
Background
Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd was approved by the Minister’s delegate as a VET provider on 6 September 2010 by Instrument of Approval No. 9 of 2010 and registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments No F2010L02441 on the 11 September 2010.
On 25 August 2014, Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd requested in writing that its approval as a VET provider be revoked.
Commencement
The notice of revocation shall commence on 9 October 2014.
Consultation
Consultation was not undertaken and was not considered necessary as Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd has voluntarily requested revocation of its approval as a VET provider for the purposes of VET FEE‑HELP, and Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd is the only VET provider affected by the Instrument.
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Notice of Revocation of approval as a provider on application
The Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the Legislative Instrument
The Instrument is made by the Minister under subclause 39(1) of the Act. The purpose of the Instrument is to revoke the approval of Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd as a VET provider for the purposes of
VET FEE-HELP under the Act. Under subclause 39(1) of Schedule 1A to the Act an approved VET provider must request in writing that their approval be revoked.
Human rights implications
The Instrument engages the right to education, contained in Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. In particular, the Instrument has an effect on the provision of vocational education and training by Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd as it revokes its approval as a VET provider for the purposes of VET FEE-HELP under the Act, removing its ability to offer VET FEE-HELP assistance to its eligible students.
The right to education is engaged, as the Instrument removes the approval of Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd as a VET provider for the purposes of VET FEE-HELP under the Act. However the right is unaffected as it does not remove Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd’s approval to deliver education and training to students.
Conclusion
This Instrument is compatible with human rights because it does not affect the protection of human rights.
Overview
The Higher Education Support Act 2003 was enacted to address the need for a structured framework to support and regulate higher education and vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. The Act, overseen by the Australian Parliament, aims to ensure that education providers maintain certain standards and that students receive quality education and training, particularly in relation to financial support mechanisms such as VET FEE-HELP. In this context, the Act empowers the Minister for Education to revoke the approval of a VET provider if the provider requests such revocation in writing. This legislative measure ensures that the standards and regulatory oversight of VET providers can be managed effectively, protecting both students and the integrity of the education system. The Act facilitates the revocation process by requiring the Minister to notify the provider at least 14 days before the revocation takes effect, ensuring transparency and giving the provider adequate time to prepare for the change.
Scope and Application
The F2014L01271 legislative instrument pertains to the revocation of approval of Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd as a VET provider under subclause 39(1) of Schedule 1A to the Higher Education Support Act 2003. This Act applies to entities approved as VET providers for the purposes of VET FEE-HELP, and in this instance, specifically to Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd. The revocation process is initiated by the entity itself, which must submit a written request to the Minister, who then delegates this authority to an appropriate APS employee for administration. The revocation takes effect after the entity is notified in writing at least 14 days prior, as specified in subclause 39(3) of Schedule 1A. This legislative instrument is a Commonwealth matter, applying nationally across Australia. The revocation does not extend to any other entities or providers beyond the specific request by Navitas College of Public Safety Pty Ltd. Subordinate instruments may further detail or extend the application of this revocation under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this legislation, specifically clauses 39(1) and 39(3) of Schedule 1A to the Higher Education Support Act 2003, outline the process for the revocation of approval for a body to act as a VET provider upon the body's written request. Subclause 39(1) allows the Minister to revoke approval, while subclause 39(3) mandates that the Minister must notify the body of the revocation in writing at least 14 days prior to the effective date of the revocation. Furthermore, the Minister has delegated these powers to an authorised APS employee responsible for administering the Act (subclause 39(4) of Schedule 1A).
The Act imposes specific obligations on the VET provider, such as the requirement to formally request revocation of its approval in writing (subclause 39(1) of Schedule 1A). It also imposes an obligation on the Minister or their delegate to notify the provider of the revocation at least 14 days before the effective date (subclause 39(3) of Schedule 1A). Additionally, the Act requires that the revocation notice itself be treated as a legislative instrument under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (subclause 39(4) of Schedule 1A).
In terms of consequences for breach, the legislation does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences for failing to comply with the revocation process. However, non-compliance with the statutory requirements, such as the failure to notify the provider adequately before revocation, could potentially lead to legal challenges regarding the validity of the revocation process. The legislation primarily focuses on procedural compliance rather than punitive measures for non-compliance.