Welcome to the February TAC Update
Message from the Chairperson
Welcome to the new year and our first edition of the TAC Update for 2023.
The beginning of the year is always a good time to consider what is on the horizon - and what an incredibly busy year for the VET Sector it is looking to be.
Sector wide consultations on the Skills Reform agenda including the revised Standards for RTOs, Qualifications Reform, the development of the Jobs and Skills Council’s role and the introduction of the Blueprint for the VET Workforce are all expected to continue. The Council will provide you with information through our usual communication strategies as it becomes available. While there are a challenging number of areas under development, your input is critical to ensuring the revised Standards evolve in a way that will work for your RTO.
The TAC’s two yearly risk based regulatory strategy is also due for a refresh while we are also winding up the priorities identified in the current strategy.
The Council would firstly like to thank all RTOs who have taken part in the implementation of the Focus on Quality: TAC Regulatory Strategy 2021-2023. The Council is currently undertaking a Strategic Industry Audit into Units of Competency leading to High Risk Work Licences in Western Australia, and Strategic Review into First Aid units of competency in Western Australia. These are due to be finalised later in the year. Work will now commence on the development of the Council’s next Regulatory Strategy for 2023 – 2025 and consultation with stakeholders will be undertaken over the coming months. This input is critical in identifying industry areas of focus and risks to quality training outcomes, and provides the Council with important information to assist in understanding specific issues in the VET sector. The Council thanks our stakeholders for their ongoing commitment to this important work.
Thoughout 2023, the Council remains committed to providing professional development opportunities to support quality, compliance and improve RTO business operations. An extensive education program is planned for the first half of this year and I encourage RTOs to register for webinars in this program. The range of other tools such as podcasts, Fact Sheets the annual TAC event also assist in building RTO capability and understanding in order to support compliance with the Standards and quality training outcomes.
We look forward to working with you over the year.
Anne Driscoll
TAC Education Program - upcoming events
Register now for TAC's Education Programs exciting new opportunities in 2023.
Recordings and resources from previous sessions are also available to view on the TAC website.
Focus on Quality - Maintaining Vocational Competence and ongoing Professional Development
Under Clause 1.16 of the Standards, RTOs must ensure that all trainers and assessors undertake professional development in VET, and specifically in competency-based training and assessment. This includes trainers and assessors employed or contracted by the RTO and those engaged by a third-party delivering training and assessment on behalf of the RTO. The Standards do not prescribe how often professional development must occur, but it must be sufficient to ensure trainers and assessors maintain currency of knowledge and skills in vocational training, learning and assessment. Simply delivering training and assessment does not constitute professional development.
No matter the credential held by trainers and assessors (TAE or higher-level qualifications in adult education), the RTO must ensure they continue to develop their knowledge and skills in providing vocational training, learning and assessment and competency-based training and assessment.
The Council is committed to an education program that builds capability and understanding of RTOs and their staff to meet their obligations in regard to the Standards. The webinars and workshops provided by the Council, not only deliver practical information to support business improvement and compliance practices, it also provides specialised professional development opportunities that can contribute to compliance with Clause 1.16 of the Standards.
Support material and professional development opportunities are primarily aimed at trainers, assessors, compliance and quality assurance staff and includes over 28 Fact Sheets, 10 Podcasts, 23 recordings and multiple webinars and workshops throughout the year.
A review of the Council's website over the last six months of 2022 indicates that many RTOs make use of these resources. Eight of the top 10 web pages viewed, relate to Fact Sheets, the education program calendar and recordings, with the top recordings viewed being:
- Understanding the VET Sector (737 views);
- Designing RTO Training & Assessment Strategies (293 views);
- The Course Accreditation Process (289 views);
- Understanding Training Packages (206 views); and
- Understanding Vocational Competence and Industry Currency (202 views).
Panel Arrangement for RTO Auditors and Accreditation Reviewers (Panel Refresh)
The Department of Training and Workforce Development is seeking to appoint additional panel members to the existing panel arrangement of RTO Auditors and Accreditation Reviewers for the Training Accreditation Council to use on ‘as and when required’ basis. Apply Now via Tenders.wa.gov.au.
TAC Clip – The Initial Registration Application Process
View the new TAC Clip on the initial registration application process. The clip provides practical information to support your application to become an RTO.
New TAC Website Coming in March
In March, the Council will launch its new website as part of the Western Australian Government's WA.gov.au. website. The WA.gov.au provides a convenient entry point to WA Government online services and information, making it easier for people to find and access government services and information through improved accessibility, advanced search and navigation functions and a user focused interface. More information regarding the change will be provided closer to the time.
Transition Extensions
At the December and February meetings, the Council agreed to extend the transition period for:
- two qualifications from the Forest and Wood Products (FWP) Training Package;
- one qualification from the Construction, Plumbing and Services (CPC) Training Package; and
- one qualification from the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management (AHC) Training Package.
A full list of training products approved for an extended transition period is available on the TAC Website.
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.
Other important updates
AVETMISS VET Provider data due 28 February 2023
The collection window for direct reporting of 2022 AVETMISS fee-for-service activity is now open and closes on 28 February 2023.
Reporting instructions for TAC RTOs are available on the TAC website. For assistance with the AVETMISS validation software, RTOs should contact NCVER directly.
RTOs accessing WA Government funding should contact DTWD via training.markets@dtwd.wa.gov.au with enquiries regarding submission of AVETMISS data, as the requirements differ for training delivered under funding arrangements.
Jobs and Skills Councils update
The Commonwealth Government has announced the establishment of 10 new Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) for Australia’s vocational training system from
1 January 2023. The JSCs replace the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), Industry Reference Committees (IRC) and Skills Service Organisations (SSO).
Further information and the list of JSCs is available from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.
VET Qualifications Model - Webinar
The Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are hosting two public webinars on the 15 and 16 February about the proposed reforms to the VET Qualifications Model.
Click here to find out more and to register.
Ombudsman WA - Reportable Conduct Scheme
WA's Reportable Conduct Scheme came into effect on 1 January 2023. Providers of education services who have care, supervision or authority over children (under 18), such as RTOs, will be expected to comply with this scheme. Information for RTOs such as frequently asked questions, information sheets and webinars is available on the Ombudsman's website.
Ongoing Surveys or Consultation
Qualifications Model Consultation:
The Commonwealth Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) are seeking your feedback on the proposed qualifications model through an online survey. The survey will close on 17 March 2023.
Inquiry into the Perceptions and Status of VET
On 30 November 2022, the House Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training commenced an inquiry into the perceptions and status of VET. Submission to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference are due by
1 March 2023.
ANZSCO Review
The ABS is undertaking a comprehensive review of ANZSCO to reflect a modern Australian labour market and better meet stakeholder needs. Feedback can be provided directly to ANZSCO.
WA Jobs, Education and Training Reports
FutureNow is currently conducting consultation for the Department of Training and Workforce Development’s 2023 WA Jobs, Education and Training Reports. The surveys are located on the FutureNow website.
Industry Workforce and Skill Needs Consultation
The Food, Fibre & Timber Industries Training Council (WA) Inc is conducting a survey to collect industry intelligence on the skill needs in the Food, Fibre and Timber industries to inform the WA Government on how best to allocate resources to meet the training and workforce development needs of industry. Click here to view the RTO Stakeholder survey.
Update to VET Student Loans (VSL) course list for 2023
The list of courses approved for VET Student Loans (VSL) has been updated, effective 1 January 2023. See VET Student loans 2023 Course List and Loan Caps for more information.
Research into support services in Regional, Rural and Remote (RRR) areas
The Research into support services in RRR areas - Final Report, prepared by Outpost Consulting for the former Department of Education, Skills and Employment, explores the range of support services that tertiary providers currently deliver to students from RRR areas.
Latest NCVER Reports
NCVER have released the following new reports:
