Under the National VET Regulator, ASQA, it seems that AQTF will be known as “Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations”; and while the draft looks similar to the AQTF, there are changes!
The draft standards, also known as a “legislative instrument” will replace AQTF. The main change is probably the legal “status” of the document. The fact the new Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations, are part of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, will provide ASQA the legal power the previous State Training Authorities (STAs) didn’t have.
Some other interesting changes in the standards seem to be:
- Format.For both, current “Standards for initial and Continuing registrations” are all numbered “SNR 1, 2, 3, etc…
- Conditionsof registration contain a list of requirements now, and are expressed in the same format as the Standards.
- The word “effective” has been added in when ‘industry consultation’ is mentioned
- The words “and moderated” have been added to the part “Assessment is validated”.
- The section SNR3 contain definitions which in some cases match the ones published by the NQC in 2009 in the set of documents titled: Guide for developing assessment tools, and Implementation guide: validation and moderation.
All these changes can be for the good of the VET sector, and ASQA will have the responsibility to regulate RTO’s operations against a the world-class training as benchmark. My concern is about the fact it was no discussions with VET stakeholders about these changes.
The new VET quality framework will include a suite of legislative instruments:
- The Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations
- The Australian Qualifications Framework
- The Fit and Proper Person Requirements
- The Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements
- The Data Provision Requirements.
Relation between AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial and Continuing Registration of Training Organisations, and Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations:
Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations | AQTF | |
SNR 1 | Name of Standards: Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations. | NA |
SNR 2 | Commencement: current draft version | NA |
SNR 3 | Definitions: | NA |
SNR 4 | The applicant must have strategies in place to provide quality training and assessment across all of its operations | AQTF Standard 1 |
SNR 5 | The applicant must have strategies in place to adhere to the principles of access and equity and to maximise outcomes for its clients | AQTF Standard 2 |
SNR 6 | The applicant must have in place management systems that will be responsive to the needs of clients, staff and stakeholders, and the environment in which the RTO will operate | AQTF Standard 3 |
SNR 7 | The applicant has adequate governance arrangements | AQTF Condition 1 |
SNR 8 | Interactions with the National VET Regulator | AQTF Condition 2 |
SNR 9 | Compliance with Legislation | AQTF Condition 3 |
SNR 10 | Insurance | AQTF Condition 4 |
SNR 11 | Financial management for initial registration | AQTF Condition 5 |
SNR 12 | Strategy for Certification, Issuing and Recognition of Qualifications & Statements of Attainment | AQTF Conditions 6 and 7 |
SNR 13 | Strategy for Accuracy and Integrity of Marketing | AQTF Condition 8 |
SNR 14 | Strategy for Transition to Training Packages/Expiry of VET accredited Course | AQTF Condition 9 |
SNR 15 | The RTO provides quality training and assessment across all of its operations | AQTF Standard 1 for continuing registration |
SNR 16 | The RTO adheres to principles of access and equity and maximises outcome for its clients | AQTF Standard 2 for continuing registration |
SNR 17 | Management systems are responsive to the needs of clients, staff and stakeholders, and the environment in which the RTO operates | AQTF Standard 3 for continuing registration |
SNR 18 | The RTO has governance arrangements in place | AQTF Condition 1 for continuing registration |
SNR 19 | Interactions with the National VET Regulator | AQTF Condition 2 for continuing registration |
SNR 20 | Compliance with Legislation | AQTF Condition 3 for continuing registration |
SNR 21 | Insurance | AQTF Condition 4 for continuing registration |
SNR 22 | Financial Management | AQTF Condition 5 for continuing registration |
SNR 23 | Certification, Issuing and Recognition of Qualifications & Statements of Attainment | AQTF Conditions 6 and 7 for continuing registration |
SNR 24 | Accuracy and Integrity of Marketing | AQTF Conditions 8 for continuing registration |
SNR 25 | Transition to Training Packages/Expiry of VET accredited Course | AQTF Conditions 9 for continuing registration
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