Distance education - governing bodies and organisations

Open Colleges (formerly Cengage Education) offers distance education courses that can lead to qualifications that are nationally recognised by employers and industry professionals. Check out some of our affiliations and partners.

Relevant registration, accreditation and industry organisations for distance education courses

Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

ASQA is the national regulator for Australia’s vocational education and training sector and is responsible for the regulation of courses and training providers to ensure nationally approved quality standards are met. ASQA replaced the Vocational Education & Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) on 1 July 2011. Prior to that date, VETAB was the NSW statutory body responsible for the registration of training providers based in NSW.

Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET)

Open Colleges is a member of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training, the national industry association for independent providers of post-compulsory education and training, for Australian and international students. Members include educational institutions such as:

• Vocational education and training providers.
• Higher education providers.
• Distance education providers.
• English language study providers.
• Senior secondary studies providers.
• Foundation studies institutions.

ACPET often represents the private education sector in negotiations with government and industry groups. ACPET will provide information to its members on relevant industry standards for industrial and commercial bodies, and course developments in both regional and metropolitan sectors. ACPET also monitors ethical standards and best practice to ensure the relevancy of individual course content to industry applications, ensuring quality curriculum development and delivery.

International Council for Open and Distance Education

Open Colleges is one of the few Australian members of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). A global member organisation, ICDE seeks to promote intercultural co-operation and understanding through open and distance learning throughout the world by:

• Fostering international collaboration between developing and developed nations.
• Supporting and developing networks at national, regional, global and linguistic affinity groups levels.
• Providing forums where individuals, corporations, institutions, governments and associations can engage in professional interaction.
• Contributing to the development of new methodologies and technologies.
• Working to encourage the development of good practice and standards in flexible learning.

Find a nationally recognised distance education course for you.