History

The Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG) began life in 1996 as the Education Network Australia Vocational Education and Training Advisory Group (EdNA VET Advisory Group or EVAG). Since then, FLAG has been the lead national body facilitating national collaboration for flexible learning in the vocational education and training (VET) sector for more than a decade. It is responsible for facilitating national collaboration in a range of significant areas. At the EVAG meeting held in March 2001 members voted to change the name to the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG), which better reflects the overall directions of the Advisory Group.
 
FLAG was established as an advisory group to the Australian Information and Communication Technologies in Education Committee (AICTEC) - formerly the EdNA Reference Committee (ERC). Initially, its role was to advise AICTEC on VET sector perspectives and responses to national policy issues relating to the use of online technologies and on strategic development of the EdNA Directory service in relation to the needs of the VET sector.

Acting on the recommendation of the Final Report of the National Flexible Delivery Taskforce (1996), the Australian National Training Authority Chief Executive Officers (ANTA CEOs) formally agreed to broaden FLAG's role. Its role now includes the provision of advice to the National Senior Officials Committee (NSOC) on strategic directions in flexible delivery, with particular reference to e-learning, and on national issues referred to it by NSOC meetings or individual CEOs. In all of its activities, FLAG includes consideration of the Adult and Community Education (ACE) sector and its needs.

FLAG has been responsible for leading three iterations - covering 2000-2004, 2005-2007 and 2008-2011 - of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), the national e-learning strategy for the vocational education and training (VET) sector.

In August 2007, the 2008-2011 Framework Strategy was approved by NSOC, with FLAG continuing in its role of leading national collaboration for flexible and e-learning in VET through its next phase of development.
Subsequent to the approval of the 2008-2011 Framework Strategy, NSOC has also approved the 2008 and 2009 Framework Business Plans.