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This research is currently exploring competition and outsourcing policy and practices within the vocational education and training (VET) sector nationally and the extent to which this is operating in Western Australia (WA). A review of literature examining the impact of competition policy and the National Training Framework has been completed. Four case studies of private and public Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in WA who deliver human service education and training have been undertaken. These attempt to describe some of the structural and cultural differences between RTOs. Interviews with staff explored their understandings of the National Training Framework and National Competition Policy and the effects of these reforms on their organisations. Analysis of the research is continuing, but we are able to present preliminary findings which indicate differences within and between public and private RTOs with respect to the background and nature of each organisation, their understanding of national reforms, and their responses to these transformations. More problematic are our questions relating to the impact of these 'reforms' on the quality of education and training. Further analysis and future research will attempt to explore the comparative impact of these reforms nationally, and ways in which quality of product and provider might be more usefully measured.