Fraudulent Qualification Scandal, Thousands of Students Affected

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has taken the decisive step of deregistering SPES Education Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based vocational education provider, over allegations of issuing fraudulent qualifications in critical care-related sectors. The qualifications in question span key areas such as aged care, disability support, and early childhood education—fields where the integrity of training and assessment is crucial for community safety and welfare.

The decision to deregister SPES Education follows an extensive investigation into its compliance with national training standards. According to ASQA, there is compelling evidence that the provider issued diplomas and certificates without delivering the required training or assessment, potentially placing thousands of unqualified individuals into sensitive caregiving roles.

More than 4,200 students who received certificates from SPES Education are now being asked to demonstrate the legitimacy of their qualifications. Many of these individuals are believed to be working in residential aged care homes, disability services, and early learning centres across Australia. ASQA is collaborating with state and territory regulators, as well as major employers, to identify and verify these workers’ competencies, and where necessary, arrange for retraining or reassessment.

The deregistration of SPES Education is part of a much wider crackdown by the federal government on substandard and non-compliant vocational education providers. Since late 2024, ASQA and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations have jointly identified over 23,000 questionable qualifications issued across multiple providers, prompting a national audit of VET courses in healthcare, community services, and construction.

The scandal has renewed calls for reform in Australia’s VET sector, which has faced years of scrutiny over quality assurance, especially in private training organisations. Advocacy groups are urging the government to introduce tougher entry standards for providers, enhanced monitoring systems, and stricter penalties for those found to be deliberately circumventing compliance obligations.

ASQA is encouraging all students who have studied with SPES Education to contact the regulator or use the dedicated helpline established to support those affected. The agency has also promised to work with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and other stakeholders to ensure displaced students are offered pathways to legitimate retraining and requalification.

The deregistration serves as a warning to the entire VET sector: the government is watching closely, and it is prepared to take strong action to protect public confidence in Australia’s education and care systems.