India’s National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and Australia’s Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the regulation and quality assurance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The agreement was among the key outcomes of the Prime Minister of India’s visit to Australia, reflecting the growing strategic convergence between the two countries in education and skilling. By bringing together the national quality assurance regulators of both countries, this partnership aims to build a credible, globally benchmarked TVET ecosystem.
NCVET and ASQA: The Two Regulators
NCVET is India’s overarching national regulator for vocational education and training. It was established on 5 December 2018 through a Cabinet decision to merge the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) into a single unified regulator. The body operates under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and is headquartered in New Delhi. It is responsible for setting standards, regulating awarding bodies and assessment agencies, anchoring the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and maintaining the National Qualification Register (NQR). The current Chairperson of NCVET is Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, who also serves as Secretary, MSDE. The Executive Member is Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Gaba.
ASQA is Australia’s national regulator for the vocational education and training (VET) sector. It was established on 1 July 2011 under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. ASQA regulates nearly 90% of Australia’s VET providers, including Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that deliver nationally recognised qualifications and courses to domestic and overseas students. It accredits VET courses, conducts performance assessments and audits, and ensures that training outcomes meet national quality standards. The regulator is based in Canberra and is led by CEO Ms. Saxon Rice.
Background: The India-Australia Skills Partnership
The LoI builds on a series of engagements that have steadily deepened the India-Australia skilling partnership. In March 2023, the two countries signed the Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ), which established a framework for recognising each other’s educational and vocational qualifications for further study and employment. This was followed by the establishment of the Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC) to drive bilateral cooperation in education and skills.
In March 2026, NCVET and ASQA officials held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi to discuss regulatory frameworks, risk-based monitoring systems, assessment integrity, and the use of technology for regulatory oversight. A key outcome of that meeting was the agreement to initiate pilot-level mutual qualification mapping in the healthcare (caregiver) and agriculture sectors.
The LoI was finalised as part of PM Modi’s visit to Australia in July 2026, which produced 18 major outcomes spanning defence, critical minerals, education, and skilling. Other skill-related outcomes included an MoU between MSDE and TAFE Western Australia to establish a Centre of Excellence in Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Bhubaneswar, and the operationalisation of a Rooftop Solar Training Academy at Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar.
What the Letter of Intent Covers
Under the LoI, NCVET and ASQA have agreed to cooperate across a broad range of regulatory and quality assurance functions. The key areas of collaboration are:
| Area of Cooperation | Description |
|---|---|
| Quality Assurance Frameworks | Exchange of best practices in designing and implementing QA systems for TVET |
| Regulatory Approaches | Sharing methodologies for risk-based monitoring, compliance, and audit practices |
| Accreditation Practices | Collaboration on qualification approval processes and accreditation standards |
| Monitoring Systems | Use of technology and data-driven systems for effective regulatory oversight |
| Capacity Building | Staff exchanges, joint training programmes, and official visits between regulators |
| Research and Workshops | Joint workshops, seminars, and research activities on emerging issues in TVET |
| Mutual Recognition of Qualifications | Engagement with stakeholders to explore benchmarking and mutual recognition of qualifications |
| Digital Credentialing | Cooperation on digital mechanisms for issuing and verifying credentials |
| Occupational Standards | Alignment of occupational standards in priority sectors |
| Labour Market Insights | Exchange of data and insights into evolving skill demands and labour market trends |
The partnership goes beyond regulatory exchange. It aims to create practical pathways for skilled workers to move between the two countries with their qualifications recognised across borders. ASQA will also facilitate engagement with relevant Australian stakeholders to explore deeper cooperation on mutual recognition of qualifications and digital credentialing mechanisms.
Why This Partnership Matters
India has one of the largest vocational education ecosystems in the world, with over 15 million students enrolled in various skill training programmes every year. However, the sector has long faced challenges related to fragmentation, inconsistent quality standards, and limited global recognition of Indian vocational qualifications.
The partnership with ASQA addresses these gaps in several ways. First, exposure to Australia’s mature VET regulatory framework offers NCVET valuable insights into risk-based regulation, a model that ASQA has refined since 2011. Australian RTOs are subject to regular performance assessments, evidence reviews, and outcome-based standards, all of which contribute to the high credibility of Australian qualifications globally.
Second, the LoI supports India’s broader goal of aligning its skilling ecosystem with international benchmarks. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF) both emphasise the integration of vocational education with mainstream academics and the need for global mobility of skilled workers. By working with ASQA on mutual recognition of qualifications and digital credentialing, NCVET can help Indian workers gain their skills recognised in Australia and beyond.
Third, the timing is strategic. Australia faces significant skilled labour shortages in sectors such as construction, healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing. With major infrastructure projects ahead of future global sporting events, Australia’s demand for skilled workers is rising. India, with its large young workforce, is well positioned to meet this demand provided its vocational qualifications are recognised and trusted by Australian employers and regulators.
The partnership also strengthens the broader India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Skill development and workforce mobility are now central pillars of the bilateral relationship, alongside defence, trade, and critical minerals.
Key Takeaways
- NCVET was established on 5 December 2018 as India’s overarching skills regulator by merging NCVT and NSDA under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
- ASQA was established on 1 July 2011 under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 and regulates nearly 90% of Australia’s VET providers.
- The Letter of Intent (LoI) between NCVET and ASQA was signed as an outcome of the Prime Minister of India’s visit to Australia in July 2026.
- Key areas of cooperation include quality assurance frameworks, regulatory approaches, accreditation practices, mutual recognition of qualifications, digital credentialing, and staff exchanges.
- The LoI supports the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF) by promoting global mobility and international benchmarking of Indian vocational qualifications.
