In recent months, a concerning number of scams targeting individuals looking to further their education have surfaced. Fraudsters are increasingly using social media to promote fake offers that seem too good to be true. These scams often advertise “free” or heavily discounted courses, claiming to be accredited, but with unrealistic timelines—promising to complete an accredited qualification in just 2 – 4 weeks, when it should typically take 12 months and with many courses also requiring mandatory work placement hours, which could be 120hrs alone.
The courses may appear to be accredited, but the scammers behind them lack the necessary legal qualifications to issue nationally recognised credentials. As a result, you could end up signing up for a course that will never be delivered and/or provides no real value or certification.
Why do these scams exist?
These fraudulent providers are after your personal details, which they could use for malicious purposes, such as hacking your social media accounts, stealing your bank account information, or committing other forms of identity theft.
It’s crucial to stay vigilant and cautious when searching for training opportunities. Below are key tips on how to spot a scam and protect yourself from falling victim to fraud.
How to Spot a Scam Education Site
- Check for Registration
In Australia, only Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) can offer nationally accredited courses. RTOs must be registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), and they adhere to strict regulatory standards. Before enrolling in any course, always verify the organisation’s RTO number, which legally needs to be displayed on the providers website and any advertising accredited course material on Training.gov.au. For example, ITeC Academy’s RTO number is 90456. You can check any RTO’s number through this site to confirm its legitimacy and to see if the provider can offer the course you are interested in. - Verify the Business Location
A legitimate RTO will usually have a physical address. Be wary of providers that list virtual offices, co-working spaces, or storage units as their business address. Be extremely cautious of any overseas addresses, and always double-check the location on Google Maps. If you’re uncertain, contact the provider or visit the address in person to ensure it’s a real business. There are some genuine RTO’s that operate digitally without a bricks and mortar campus. If you are unsure about an RTO’s legitimacy, it is best to check their information exists on training.gov.au - Visit the Facebook Profile, Not Just the Ad’s Website
Scammers often create fake social media accounts to promote fraudulent offers. If you come across an ad, don’t just visit the website it links to—go to the Facebook profile or account posting the ad. Scam accounts will often have minimal information, and many will be set up overseas. If the Facebook account name doesn’t match the business name or website, that’s a major red flag. Often, the website will have a different name altogether, which should raise your suspicion. - Call or Visit the Provider
If you’re in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact the provider directly. A legitimate RTO will be happy to answer your questions and provide clear information about the course and its accreditation. If possible, visit the provider in person to get a feel for the organisation. Scammers will often avoid direct communication or provide vague, evasive answers to your queries. - Be Wary of Fake Reviews
Many scam providers create fake reviews and testimonials to appear credible. Just because a website or social media profile has glowing reviews doesn’t mean the provider is legitimate. If the reviews seem overly generic or excessively positive, they might be fabricated. Seek independent feedback from trusted review sites or from verified students who have actually completed the course. Often reviews from Trustpilot and similar review sites that appear on a website aren’t real. Instead they are designed images to make it look like reviews. - Unrealistic Course Timelines
Accredited courses in Australia have strict requirements, including a set number of training hours and many courses require work placement. If a course promises to deliver a full qualification in an unrealistic timeframe, such as 2-4 weeks, that’s a clear warning sign. These offers could indicate a scam or a non-accredited course that doesn’t meet the industry standards required for formal qualifications. - Provider’s Website Should List Course Units
In addition to displaying the RTO’s number, legally, an RTO needs to display all the units, including unit codes, for each course advertised on the website. If this information is not listed on a providers website, it may be a scam. - Poorly Designed Marketing Material
Many fake providers use poorly designed marketing material. Often scammers target those wishing to come to Australia or are new to the country. They target these people by including the Australian flag or Australian Government logo in their promotions, use simple text based layouts from Word and/or contain spelling mistakes, use American English spelling and/or don’t contain the official accredited course code or RTO number on the promotion. Legitimate RTO’s will usually always have at least one person on staff who is a qualified Marketing / Design / Communications person. So, if the promotion looks dodgy, it likely is dodgy.
Legitimate Non-Accredited Training Providers
It’s important to also recognise that some legitimate businesses offer non-accredited courses. While these courses are not recognised by the Australian Government as formal qualifications, they may still provide valuable skills that could be useful in certain industries. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the difference between non-accredited courses and accredited qualifications.
Non-accredited courses can be a great option if you’re seeking to learn specific skills or gain knowledge in a particular area, but they will not provide you with a nationally recognised qualification. This means that while you may gain useful expertise, you won’t receive the formal credentials required for some jobs or career advancement opportunities. Many non-accredited courses will give you a certificate of participation on completion, like ITeC does for our 3hr Barista course. But this should not be confused for an accredited Certificate qualification.
Before enrolling in any non-accredited course, it’s important to understand what you’re paying for. Make sure the provider is transparent about the nature of the course and its lack of accreditation. This can be a useful option for personal development, but it won’t have the same weight in the workforce as an accredited qualification.
Final Thoughts
The rise in education scams is a serious concern, especially as many people are seeking affordable and flexible learning options. By following these simple steps to verify the legitimacy of a provider, you can avoid falling victim to scams and ensure that the course you choose will provide real value for your career.
Remember: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And while there are often subsides and fee-free courses available, thanks to the Australian Government funding, the course requirements are standardised State and/or Nationwide. Always check the accreditation status, verify the business details, and trust your instincts when it comes to your education. By staying informed and cautious, you’ll ensure that your investment in training is worthwhile and that your qualifications are recognised within the workforce.
Report Suspicious Activity
ASQA recommends VET tip-off reporting for:
• Suspicions of fraud, illegal activities or unethical behaviours.
• Poor quality of training, services or business practices.
https://asqaportal.asqa.gov.au/Make-a-Report/
