The Australian Travel Career Council has completed its final review of proposed reforms to the Certificate III in Travel, following five national consultation forums and an executive synthesis session held on May 11.
Twenty-three industry leaders participated in the session, examining how recommendations across 17 competency units could strengthen career pathways and support long-term workforce growth across Australia’s travel sector.
Rick Myatt, ATCC CEO, highlighted a critical challenge affecting training delivery nationwide.
“A disparity in funding from state to state is causing Registered Training Organisations to steer away from delivering the travel qualification,” Mr Myatt said.
The funding imbalance has contributed to a 56 per cent decline in travel graduates since 2019, according to National Centre for Vocational Education Research data.
The proposed reforms focus on three strategic priorities. Modernising skills involves replacing legacy manual processes with AI literacy and digital fluency competencies. Removing structural barriers addresses limitations including restricted access to a full qualification for school-based trainees. Stabilising training supply explores closer alignment with broader tourism qualifications to encourage more Registered Training Organisations back into the sector.
A key discussion point was whether the Certificate III in Travel should continue as a standalone qualification or align more closely with the Certificate III in Tourism.
Barry Mayo, ATCC Director, said the reforms presented an opportunity to strengthen the industry’s long-term workforce capability.
“By adopting a purpose-led qualification and aligning more closely with government funding priorities, we can transform current challenges into a streamlined gateway for a future-ready workforce,” Mr Mayo said.
ATCC will share its workforce practice findings with training package administrators for consideration as part of the proposed qualification reforms.
