ASQA’s Stand Against Fake Training: Gills College Qualifications Cancelled

The Australian Skills Quality Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of vocational education and training. Following a recent Tribunal decision, the cancellation of qualifications issued by Gills College was upheld. This ruling highlights the regulator’s determination to safeguard students, employers, and the wider community from non-genuine training providers.

Tribunal Decision Overview

Date of ruling: 27 May 2026
Outcome: Tribunal affirmed ASQA’s cancellation of qualifications issued by Gills College.
Reason: Gills College was found critically non-compliant, issuing qualifications without proper training or assessment.

Case Example

Applicant: Omar Bayahow (Certificate III & Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care).
Claim: ASQA lacked evidence to cancel his qualifications.
Tribunal finding: Mr. Bayahow could not provide proof of training or assessment.
Decision: Cancellation upheld, as public interest outweighed individual harm.

Background on Gills College

Registration cancelled: November 2024 after compliance investigations.
Affected individuals: Over 3,300 students had qualifications revoked.
Aliases: Operated under the names Elite College Australia and Sterling Business College.
Sector impact: ASQA has cancelled 43,000+ qualifications across industries, including early childhood education, disability support, and aged care, as of March 2026.

ASQA’s Position

CEO Saxon Rice: Emphasized protecting the integrity of national qualifications.
Warning to students: Be cautious of providers offering fast-tracked qualifications or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) without genuine assessment.
Red flag marketing phrases:
- “No classes to attend”
- “No study or exams required”
- “Receive your qualification in 7 days”
- “100% guarantee of success”
- “Fast-tracked pathway to skilled migration”

What Happens if You Hold a Gills College Qualification?

If you received a qualification from Gills College (or its aliases Elite College Australia and Sterling Business College), here’s what you need to know:

Your qualification is cancelled: ASQA has determined that qualifications issued by Gills College are invalid because they were not supported by genuine training or assessment.
You cannot rely on it for employment: Employers and industry regulators will not recognize these qualifications, especially in sensitive fields like childcare, aged care, and disability support.
You may need to retrain: Students are encouraged to enroll with a legitimate Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to obtain a valid qualification.
Check your options with ASQA: ASQA provides guidance on next steps, including pathways to requalification and recognition of prior learning (RPL) through compliant providers.
Seek advice from industry bodies: Professional associations in childcare, aged care, and other sectors can advise on how to regain compliance with employment requirements.

Why This Matters

Public safety: Ensures only properly trained individuals work in critical care and education roles.
Sector integrity: Reinforces Australia’s reputation for reliable, world-class vocational training.
Student protection: Prevents individuals from unknowingly relying on fraudulent qualifications.

Practical Next Steps for Affected Students

Verify your provider: Use ASQA’s RTO register to confirm legitimacy before enrolling elsewhere.
Plan requalification: Explore flexible training options with compliant RTOs to regain your qualification.
Stay informed: Follow ASQA’s updates on the Qualification Integrity Program.

The Tribunal’s decision underscores that quality training cannot be bypassed. Students should remain vigilant against misleading providers and rely on ASQA’s guidance to ensure their qualifications are legitimate and respected.