Welcome to the July TAC Update
The Standards for Registered Training Organisation (RTOs) 2015 (the Standards) requires RTOs to provide the VET Regulator with an annual declaration on compliance. The Declaration provides an opportunity for the RTO to systematically monitor and evaluate improvements to business operations, and training and assessment practice through their internal quality assurance processes, identify non-compliance with the Standards or areas for improvement, initiate action to ensure compliance with the Standards at all times, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
The Declaration indicates that the RTO:
currently meets the requirements of the Standards across all its scope of operations, including services provided on its behalf through third party arrangement, and for all locations;- has met the requirements of the Standards for all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certification documentation issued in the last financial year;
- has training and assessment strategies and practices that ensure all learners are trained in accordance with the Standards; and
- uses the outcomes of monitoring and evaluation to inform improvements in business and educational practice.
The 2022/2023 RTO Annual Declaration on Compliance is now open. A link to the Declaration was emailed to the Legally Responsible Officer and Registration Officer at the RTO.
RTOs are required to complete and submit their Declaration by 30 September 2023.
Click here for more information about the RTO Annual Declaration on Compliance 2022-2023.
If you have any questions regarding the Declaration, please contact TAC on (08) 9224 6510 or via email at tac@dtwd.wa.gov.au
TAC Education Program - upcoming events
Register now for one of our upcoming events:
4 August - Managing and Amending RTO Scope
4 September - Awarding Credit
15 September - Chat with TAC: Training Product Equivalence
18 October - RTO Governance
View the TAC Education Program to access professional development opportunities, support and guidance materials and access previous webinar recordings and resources.
Focus on Quality - Generative AI – The potential and pitfalls for VET
Artificial Intelligence (AI) encompasses various technologies that enable computers to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. The discussions around AI are abundant, highlighting both its potential benefits and concerns. However, it's important to recognise that AI has been around for some time and is likely here to stay. In the regulated VET environment, the challenge lies in keeping pace with technological advancements.
In the VET sector, AI tools like ChatGPT offer various advantages for trainers, assessors, and learners. These include:
- writing questions and providing feedback
designing marking guides- creating assessment examples
- generating discussion prompts
- crafting session plans
- personalizing learning experiences
- curating learning resources
While AI presents opportunities, there are also pitfalls that need careful attention, such as:
- lack of regulation and governance
- data privacy and security concerns
- potential bias and discrimination
- limited transparency and understanding of AI outputs
- technological limitations
- ethical and moral considerations
- the costs involved and effectiveness of software solutions which flag when AI has been used
However your RTO intends to use or not use AI, the development and implementation of rules and guidelines that are accessible to all staff and learners becomes crucial.
For more information on this topic, the TAC webinar Generative AI – The Potential and Pitfalls for VET, is available on TAC's YouTube channel.
Jobs and Skills Councils
All ten Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) have been established, with nine currently operational.
The JSCs and the industry sectors they cover include:
- Future Skills Organisation (finance, technology and business)
- HumanAbility (early educators, health and human services
- Industry Skills Australia (transport and logistics)
- Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (manufacturing)
- Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (mining and automotive)
- Powering Skills Organisation (energy, gas and renewables)
- Public Skills Australia (public safety and government)
- Skills Insight (agribusiness)
- SkillsEQuipped (arts, personal services, retail, tourism and hospitality); and
- BuildSkills Australia (building, construction and property) has been established and will be operational in the coming months.
Visit the Department of Education and Workforce Relation’s website for more information on the JSCs.
Webinar Recordings
Did you miss the recent TAC webinars:
- Preparing for Audit
- Chat with TAC - Amount of Training
Catch up now on TAC’s YouTube channel.
New TAC Podcast
A new TAC Talks Shorts podcast on Retaining Assessment Evidence is now available.
Transition Extensions
At the July 2023 meeting, the Council agreed to extend the transition period for the following training products:
- CSC30120 Certificate III in Correctional Practice (4 December 2024);
- CHC51115 Diploma of Financial Counselling (14 December 2024);
- HLT30113 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (31 December 2024);
- HLT40113 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (31 December 2024);
- HLT40213 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice (31 December 2024);
- HLT42015 Certificate IV in Massage Therapy (14 December 2024); and
- HLT52015 Diploma in Remedial Massage (14 December 2024)
View the full list of training products with approved for an extended transition periods.
The Council may consider requests to extend the transition period of a superseded training product when certain conditions apply. Further information is available on the TAC Website.
Course Accreditation updates
At the July 2023 meeting, the Council agreed to extend the accreditation period for the following courses:
- 52830WA Course in Electrical Trade Licensing (31 December 2023);
- 52839WA Course in Community Legal Services (31 August 2024);
Other important updates
State Training Plan 2023-24 Released
The State Training Plan is informed by data, labour market analysis, and valuable consultation with industry. The four key priorities in the report are:
- advocating for WA skills needs in national skills reform;
- preparing a skilled workforce for energy transformation and decarbonisation targets;
- managing a sustainable pipeline of apprentices and trainees; and
- building regional workforce skills and capacity.
The Plan will also focus on continuing initiatives, including skills development for the tourism and hospitality industries, social assistance and allied health and agriculture sectors, and raising the profile of VET among young Western Australians. Access the State Training Plan here.
VET Data Streamlining program
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) Data Streamlining program aims to modernise the way VET student activity data is collected, managed, and used. It will provide better data, faster.
The VDS program is a partnership between the Commonwealth, state and territory training authorities, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and VET regulators.
The program will implement the following key changes:
- a new VET Information Standard to replace AVETMISS 8.0, changing what information will need to be collected by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and how it is reported
- a new Student and Training Activity Reporting System (STARS) changing how RTOs will validate and submit data, which can be integrated with student management systems
- a sector-wide, consistent reporting timeframe, moving from periodic for some providers to progressive reporting for everyone.
If you are interested in participating in development of this program, contact the VET Data Streamlining Team at VETDataStreamlining@dewr.gov.au.
Revised Infection Control units to be delivered from 1 July 2023
The packaging rules for 28 qualifications and two skill sets have now been updated to include the revised Infection Control units of competency.
From 1 July 2023, RTOs can only deliver HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control or HLTINF007 - Implement and monitor infection prevention and control standards, policies and procedures.
Superseded qualifications remain unchanged. Click here for more information and the list of qualifications affected.
WA State Training Board’s Report released: “Mobilising WA’s Future: Young People in VET”
Young people account for nearly half of all participants in Western Australia's VET sector. To better understand their involvement and experiences across various sectors within the VET system, the State Training Board conducted roundtable discussions involving over 70 young individuals.
For a comprehensive overview, you can access the report Mobilising WA's Future: Young People in VET. Additionally, the WA Government's response to the report can be found here.
Review into Senior Secondary School Pathways
The WA Government has initiated a review of senior secondary school pathways with the aim of ensuring that all students in Western Australia can achieve their full potential in their post-school study, training, or employment endeavours.
The "Pathways to Post-School Success" review will assess the effectiveness of current pathway options, certification requirements, and university entry criteria. The review will also examine the needs of higher education, vocational education and training, employers, and education communities. Read the full media statement here.
Changes to the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) foundation skills program
The Commonwealth Government has introduced an Indigenous stream into the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) foundation skills program to improve literacy, numeracy and digital skills for First Nations people.
From 1 July 2024, stream one of foundation skills will focus on job seekers, employees and people not in formal education, employment or training. A new second stream will focus on First Nations people, providing grants to First Nations community-controlled organisations so they can partner directly with training providers. Read the full media statement here.
Latest NCVER Reports
NCVER have released the following new reports:
- Government-funded students and courses 2022 (18 July 23)
- Skilling Australia’s current and future workforce (12 July 23)
- Beyond the standard: motivators of high-performing RTOs (6 July 23)
