Australian Quality Training Framework

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Australian Quality Training Framework
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Session Objectives

• To introduce the AQTF
• To explain the AQTF Standards for RTOs
• To review a sample draft Evidence Guide
• To explain AQTF implementation procedures in NSW

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First some acronyms

• ANTA Australian National Training Authority
• AQF Australian Qualifications Framework
• AQTF Australian Quality Training Framework
• ARF Australian Recognition Framework
• CRICOS Commonwealth Register of Institutions
  Courses for Overseas Students
• NTIS National Training Information System

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• RCABs State/Territory Registering and Course
  Accrediting Bodies
• RPL Recognition of Prior Learning
• RTO Registered Training Organisation
• VET Vocational Education and Training
• VETAB Vocational Education and Training and
  Accreditation Board

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AQTF Resources

• Standards for RTOs
• Transition Guide for RTOs
• Evidence Guide for RTOs and Auditors
• Standards for State/Territory Registering and
  Course Accrediting Bodies
• Guide to Good Practice in AQTF Auditing
• Evidence Guide for RTOs and Auditors
• Companion Guide

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How to order resources

• www.vetab.nsw.au
• click Contact us and specify request for AQTF
  resources
• www.anta.gov.au
• download all resources

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National Training Framework

• AQTF arrangements
• Training Packages

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AQTF

• A set of national standards which aim to ensure
  the quality of training delivery and assessment
  services in the VET sector throughout Australia.
• Consists of 2 sets of clearer and higher standards

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AQTF Standards for RTOs

• 1. Systems for quality training and assessment
• 2. Compliance with Commonwealth, State/ Territory
  legislation and regulatory requirements
• 3. Effective financial management procedures
• 4. Effective administrative and records
  management procedures
• 5. Recognition of qualifications issued by other
  RTOs

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AQTF Standards for RTOs

• 6. Access and Equity
• 7. The competence of RTO staff
• 8. RTO assessments
• 9. Learning and assessment strategies
• 10. Issuing AQF qualifications and Statements of
  Attainment
• 11. Use of National and State/Territory logos
• 12. Ethical marketing and advertising

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Standard 1 Systems for quality training and
assessment

• Requires RTOs to
• document policies and procedures for quality
  training delivery and assessment services
• nominate a person with designated responsibility
  for compliance and registration
• have organisational chart and duty statements
• develop a written business plan
• collect and analyse feedback from clients and
  stakeholders
• conduct an internal audit/self assessment each
  year

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Standard 1 (Continued)

• document procedures for identifying and acting on
  opportunities for continuous improvement of
  systems
• have systems for identifying and managing risks
  associated with compliance
• keep records relating to complaints, grievances,
  appeals and the outcomes
• have documented agreements with other
  organisations providing training and assessment
  in partnership

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Standard 2 Compliance with Commonwealth,
State/Territory legislation and regulatory
requirements

• Requires RTOs to
• integrate all relevant legislative and regulatory
  requirements in to its policies and procedures
  and incorporate in information to staff and
  students
• have insurance cover for workers compensation,
  public liability, professional indemnity,
  building and contents.

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Standard 3 Effective financial management
procedures

• Requires RTOs to
• nominate a person with designated responsibility
  for financial management
• have accounts certified annually by a qualified
  accountant with membership of CPA or ICAA
• provide a full audit report, if requested
• document a system to protect fees paid in advance
• document a fees refund policy

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Standard 4 Effective administration and records
management procedures

• Requires RTOs to
• document and implements procedures to assure
  integrity, accuracy and currency of records
• maintain current signed and sighted copies of
  staff qualifications and CVs
• document procedures for complying with any
  external reporting procedures
• document and implement procedures for retaining,
  archiving and retrieving student records for 30
  years
• develop and implement version control procedures
  for managing materials relating to scope

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Standard 4 (Continued)

• document and implement procedures for
  safeguarding confidential information

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Standard 5 Recognition of qualifications issued
by other RTOs (Mutual Recognition)

• Requires RTOs to
• have policies and procedures for recognising the
  AQF Qualifications and Statements of Attainment
  issued by any other RTO and include these in
  information to staff and students

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Standard 6 Access and Equity

• Requires RTOs to
• incorporate Access and Equity in its policies and
  procedures
• have a code of practice which incorporates its
  access and equity policies
• make information available to students prior to
  enrolment on
• - student selection, enrolment and induction
• - course content and outcomes

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Standard 6 (Continued)

• - fees and charges including refund policy
• - provision of LLN assessment
• - client support
• - flexible learning and assessment procedures
• - welfare and guidance services
• - appeals, complaints and grievance procedures
• - disciplinary procedures
• - RPL arrangements

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Standard 7 The competency of RTO staff

• Requires RTOs to
• develop and implement written procedures for
  recruitment, induction and on-going professional
  development of training and assessment staff
• develop and implement induction information for
  staff which includes
• - VET requirements and policies
• - Training Packages
• - competency based training and assessment
• - Apprenticeships and Traineeships

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Standard 7 (Continued)

• have trainers with BSZ40198 Certificate IV in
  Assessment and Workplace Training (or equivalent)
  and vocational competencies at least at the level
  being delivered or be under the direct
  supervision of a person with the qualifications
• have all assessors with the 3 Assessment units of
  competency from BSZ40198 and relevant vocational
  competencies at least at the level being assessed
  (or a team of people with all required
  competencies)

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Standard 8 RTO Assessments (incorporates the
National Assessment Principles)

• Requires RTOs to ensure that
• students are informed of the context and purpose
  of the assessment and the assessment process
• the RPL policy and process is provided to all
  students on enrolment
• assessments are equitable and provide for
  re-assessment on appeal
• assessments comply with principles of validity,
  reliability, fairness and flexibility

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Standard 8 (Continued)

• assessments focus on application of knowledge and
  skill to the standard of performance required in
  the workplace where relevant, and cover all
  dimensions of assessment including
• - task skills
• - task management skills
• - contingency management skills
• - job role environment skills

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Standard 8 (Continued)

• assessments involve the evaluation of sufficient
  evidence to judge competency has been achieved
• students are provided with feedback on the
  outcomes of assessment

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Standard 9 Learning and assessment strategies

• Requires RTOs to
• develop, document and implement a learning and
  assessment strategy for each Training Package
  qualification (or part qualification) and
  accredited course on its scope of registration.
  This includes
• - proposed target groups
• - delivery and assessment modes and strategies
• - assessment validation processes
• - facilities and equipment
• - qualified staff
• - pathways

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Standard 9 (Continued)

• consult with enterprises/industry in developing
  the assessment strategy
• make the learning and assessment strategy
  available when applying for registration or
  additions to scope
• validate the assessment strategies at least
  annually and document any action taken to improve
  the quality and consistency of assessment
• negotiate all training delivery and assessment
  services with employer and students where
  training is conducted in the workplace

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Standard 9 (Continued)

• develop, document, implement and monitor
  individual Training Plans for each apprentice or
  trainee where a contract is in place

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Standard 10 Issuing AQF qualifications and
Statements of Attainment

• Requires RTOs to
• only issue AQF qualifications and Statements of
  Attainment that are on its scope of registration
  that certify achievement of
• - qualifications or competency standards from
  endorsed Industry Training Packages
• - qualifications, competency standards or
  modules specified in accredited courses
• use national provider number on AQF qualifications

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Standard 11 Use of National and State/Territory
logos

• Requires RTOs to
• use the national ANTA logo when issuing AQF
  qualifications and Statements of Attainment
  according to specifications
• use VETAB logo according to specifications

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Standard 12 Ethical Marketing

• RTOs are required to
• nominate a person with designated responsibility
  for authorising accurate and approved marketing
  materials
• gain written permission to use any marketing or
  advertising materials which refers to any person
  or organisation
• only advertise AQF qualifications on its scope of
  registration
• ensure advertised outcomes are consistent with
  AQF qualifications or Statements of Attainment.

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Draft Evidence Guide

• Identifies the requirements that RTOs must comply
  with.
• Gives examples of evidence of compliance
• Provides self-assessment resources to assist RTOs
  to conduct an internal audit/self assessment for
  continuous improvement
• Is not intended as mandatory in the range of
  examples of evidence
• Odd and even page format

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Registration

• RTOs must register with the State/Territory RCAB
  where they deliver most of their training and
  assessment services or have their head office
• Registration is for 5 years
• New applicants must undergo an audit prior to
  registration and within 12 months of initial
  registration
• Where an RTO has not met the standards an
  improvement process will be implemented and
  sanctions may be applied.

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Implementation in NSW

• It is expected that the VETA Board will adopt the
  AQTF at its 8 October meeting as the VETAB
  Guidelines for Registration in NSW under s.22a
  (10 of the VETA Act 1999.
• The current Guidelines for Registration and VETAB
  Registration Requirements will cease effective
  from 31 December 2001
• The new Guidelines will come into effect from 1
  January 2002.

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Implementation (Continued)

• The proposed plan to go to the VETA Board is
• Existing RTOs
• From 1 January 2002 and by 30 June 2002 all
  existing RTOs will be required to apply for
  registration under the new Guidelines
• During this period all existing RTOs will be
  deemed compliant with the new Guidelines
• The current registration period of existing RTOs
  will be extended by 2 years
• The registration of those organisations which do
  not apply for registration under the new
  Guidelines by 30 June 2002 will lapse from 1 July
  2002.

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Implementation (Continued)

• There will be no application fee for existing
  RTOs applying to come under the new Guidelines
• The normal annual fee will apply
• All applications will be by e-lodgement

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Implementation (Continued)

• New Applications for Registration
• From 1 January 2002 all new applications for
  registration will be against the new Guidelines
• The registration period will be for 5 years
• The normal application fee will apply
• The normal annual fee will apply
• All applications will be by e-lodgement

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Implementation (Continued)

• Additions to Scope of Registration
• From 1 January 2002 all applications for
  additions to scope are assessed against the new
  Guidelines.
• All RTOs seeking additions to scope after 1
  January 2002 must have already applied for and
  been assessed as compliant with the new
  Guidelines
• The normal fee for additions to scope will apply

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Transition Arrangements

• Applications for Re-registration
• Registrations that expire between now and 31
  December 2001 will be extended to early 2002 so
  that re-registration can take place under the new
  Guidelines. At that time RTOs seeking to renew
  their registration must apply to VETAB using the
  e-lodgement application for registration.

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Transition (Continued)

• One Year Follow-up Audit
• RTOs with one year follow up audit due in the
  period to 31 December will be audited under the
  current Guidelines for Registration (ARF) where
  the audit is scheduled before 31 December.
• If the audit is scheduled after 1 January 2002
  the organisation will be audited against the new
  Guidelines for Registration. It will be required
  to apply for registration under the new
  Guidelines and will be deemed to be registered
  pending the outcomes of the audit.

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Transition (Continued)

• New Applicants for Registration
• From now to end of year new applicants will be
  advised to wait until next year and then apply
  under the new Guidelines.
• If they wish to be assessed before the end of
  2001 they will be advised that the audit will be
  against the current Guidelines and receive one
  year registration. They then have to apply
  before 30 June 2002 for registration against the
  new Guidelines. The one-year follow up audit it
  will be against the new Guidelines.
• 31 October 2001 is the cut off date for receipt
  of new applications under the current Guidelines

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Questions??????????????