As we mark our centennial issue, we reflect on a remarkable journey of 15 years of providing time and valuable information to our stakeholders. Since its inception in September 2008, the TAC Update has been a cornerstone of our communication efforts, keeping you informed about the latest developments in Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Over the years, we've shared updates on Council initiatives, state and national VET policy, regulatory changes, mandatory RTO reporting requirements and our Education Program. We thank you for your readership and engagement with us and in maintaining a quality VET sector.
- Diversity and Inclusion: TAC has collaborated with Kambarang Services, an Aboriginal owned and operated organisation, to deliver a two-part live webinar series on cultural awareness and safety. Under Standard 2.5(b) of the revised Standards RTOs are to demonstrate that they foster a culturally safe learning environment for First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people.
- Continuous Improvement: The webinar will focus on Standard 4.4 of the revised Standards for RTOs to explore how an RTO can undertake systematic monitoring and evaluation to support the delivery of quality services and continuous improvement. Registration details for webinars are contained further in the newsletter.
TAC Education Program
Upcoming Events:
Register now for our upcoming event. You can also be alerted to new events by following TAC’s Event Page on Humanitix.
- Part I: Cultural Awareness by Kambarang Services - for TAC RTOs Only - Mon 2 December Oct 2024, 10am - 12pm AWST
- Part II: Cultural Safety by Kambarang Services - for TAC RTOs Only Mon 9 December 2024, 10am - 12pm AWST
- Continuous Improvement - Fri 6 December 2024, 10:00am - 11.30am AWST
Webinar Recordings:
View the TAC Education Program to access professional development opportunities, support and guidance materials and access previous webinar recordings and resources.*
- Revised Standards for RTOs: An overview webinar This webinar provides a high-level overview of the key changes introduced in the Standards.
Creating a Child Safe Organisation In this webinar the Child Safe Manager at WACOSS addresses the revised Standards for RTOs Governance Quality Area of Risk Management 4.3(d). The webinar covers: National Principles on Child Safety, and mandatory reporting requirements of child abuse under the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Focus Article: Child Safe Organisation.
Focus Article: Child Safe Organisations
The revised Standards for RTOs clearly outline the RTO's responsibilities regarding child safety. Specifically, Standard 4.3 mandates that RTOs identify and manage risks to VET students, staff and the organisation. For VET students aged under 18 years, this includes ensuring safety and wellbeing in alignment with principles for child-safe organisations, considering training content and delivery methods.
Every organisation working with children and young people has a duty to prioritise their safety and wellbeing. Child safe organisations foster cultures where these principles are paramount, with proactive measures to identify risks and protect children from harm.
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations provide a framework for embedding child safe practices across various sectors and organisations. These 10 principles guide organisations in creating a safe environment for children and young people:
- Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
- Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect chi safety and wellbeing values in practice.
- Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
- Physical and online environments promote safety and well-being while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
- Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
RTOs must also be aware of the Ombudsman WA's mandatory Reportable Conduct Scheme. This scheme provides independent oversight of how organisations handle allegations and convictions of child abuse by their staff, ensuring accountability and transparency. For more information on child safe organisations see the creating child safe organisations webinar and a full complement of valuable resources and handouts.
Online Guidance Hub: Self-Assurance Considerations and Reflective Questions
The TAC online guidance hub is where you can find a comprehensive suite of guidance material help transition to the revised Standards. The hub has recently been updated to include self-assurance considerations and reflective questions.
The revised Standards for RTOs have been designed to allow for more flexibility and innovation a recognise that RTOs are diverse and operate within different settings and delivery contexts. When reviewing the self-assurance statements and reflective questions, RTOs are encouraged to review their processes to ensure these align with, and support achievement of, the outcomes described in the Standard.
The self-assurance statements and reflective questions may be used by RTOs as a profession development opportunity with their staff, as well as to inform how they are tracking towards compliance. They should NOT be used solely to determine compliance, and RTOs should refer to the specific Quality Areas and associated Standard.
Training.gov.au Information Sessions
The enhanced Training.gov.au (TGA) went live on Wednesday 23 October. It can be found at training.gov.au. The improved TGA is more intuitive and accessible includes a range of new features. For tips for success on using the new features on training.gov.au the VET Development Centre (VDC) hosts webinars and information sessions. Register to express your interest in attending a session.
Fit and Proper Person Declarations
Anyone who manages an RTO including Executive Officers, High Managerial Agents, Legally Responsible Officers, Owners, or Persons of Control and Influence must satisfy Fit and Proper Person Requirements (FPPR) as outlined in Schedule 3 of the Standards for RTOs and the Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009.
Meeting the FPPR is a requirement for registration with the Training Accreditation Council (TAC). RTOs must make a ‘Fit and Proper Person Declaration’ when the organisation applies for initial registration, renews registration or employs a new executive officer/s, legally responsible officer, high managerial agent/s, owner/s or person/s of control or influence.
We would like to remind RTOs that when assessing whether a person meets the FPPR that each person includes all convictions on the FPP declaration:
- whether they have been found guilty of an offence (regardless of whether a conviction was
recorded or not) against a law of the Commonwealth, State or Territory of Australia or a law
of another country, and - where there was a conviction recorded whether it had been spent or not.
More information is on the TAC website.
Other important Updates
Strong and responsive VET pathways | Jobs and Skills Australia
Online job ads drop but stay higher than 2019 levels | Jobs and Skills Australia
New research reveals emerging roles in Australia’s labour market | Jobs and Skills Australia
An industrial strategy for domestic manufacturing of onshore and offshore wind energy
towers and equipment | The Australia Institute's Centre for Future Work
Latest NCVER Reports
NCVER has released the following new reports:
Apprentices and trainees 2024: March quarter - 9 Oct
VET qualification completion rates 2023 - 24 Oct
