On 8 September 2022, the Training Accreditation Council (TAC or the Council) endorsed a revised position on the application of credit for equivalent units of competency.
In finalising its position, the Council was mindful of the nature of training product revisions, the need to ensure confidence in the training system, and risks to workplace safety. In December 2022, to ensure its position was optimum, the Council decided to undertake further research and consultation with TAC RTOs and stakeholders to further examine the issues related to credit to help inform Council’s ongoing consideration of the issues.
On 11 May 2023, the Council considered the Report on the Consultation with RTOs and Stakeholders, and the outcomes of the Review of a sample of equivalent units of competency superseded twice or more.
The Council wishes to confirm its advice for RTOs on granting credit to learners for superseded ‘equivalent’ [1] units of competency. The advice includes:
-
RTOs can award credit using the ‘equivalent’ determination where the unit and/or modules already attained by the learner immediately precedes the unit and/or module for which credit transfer will be awarded.
-
Where an award of credit is sought for equivalent units and/or modules that have been superseded twice or more (e.g. there is a unit and/or modules interceding):
-
the RTO must conduct a mapping process to confirm no gaps exist in the content and learning outcomes[2] between the unit and/or module already attained by the learner and the unit and/or module for which the learner seeks an award of credit; and
-
where a mapping process identifies gaps in the content and learning outcomes, no award of credit can be provided.
-
This advice is in line with the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) which indicates that:
- RTOs are responsible for ensuring the quality of the learning outcomes and that the graduate has satisfactorily completed any requirements for the awarding of the qualification.[3]
This advice is also in line with the requirements of the AQF Pathways Policy[4] which indicates that:
-
the RTO will recognise learning regardless of how, when and where it was acquired, provided that the learning is relevant and current and has a relationship to the learning outcomes of the qualification; and
- that giving credit “should not impinge upon…the integrity of qualification outcomes”.
[1] Equivalence as published on the national register on VET, training.gov.au [2] Content includes a unit of competency’s Elements, Performance Criteria and Assessment Requirements [3] Australian Qualifications Framework – Second Edition January 2013 (page28) [4] Australian Qualifications Framework – Second Edition January 2013 (page78)
The TAC Fact Sheet: Training Product Equivalence provides an example of a mapping process.
The TAC Fact Sheet: Awarding Credit provides further guidance to RTOs on awarding credit.
To further support the sector, the Council will develop additional education and guidance materials.
If you have any questions or would like further advice, please contact the TAC Secretariat on (08) 9224 6510.
Full versions of the consultation report and the review are available to view below:
Report: Credit Transfer and Equivalence - June 2023
Report: Consultation on RTO and Stakeholders Views on Credit - May 2023
A summary of the research and consultation outcomes are provided in the following infographic. Infographics can be downloaded here.
