The head of the Australian private college lobby has resigned suddenly at a board meeting on Thursday, and has been immediately replaced by an acting chief.
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Claire Field, a veteran of the vocational education industry, made the move over to the Australian Council for Private Education & Training (ACPET) four years ago after working at the former vocational education regulator, NARA.
The third CEO in six years, she will be replaced by acting CEO Larry Davies while the board launches a search for a new head.
The move comes as a surprise and Mr Davies said there was no specific discussions about the resignation prior to the Thursday's board meeting.
The industry is on the cusp of significant change if the government's higher education reforms, announced in the May federal budget, pass the Senate.
Under the reforms, private providers would be given access to the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).
The statement said Ms Field had been a "a strong advocate for ACPET members" and was "instrumental" in strengthening the focus of the organisation on "quality and lifting membership standards".
Ms Field was contacted for comment but declined.
