TAC Update - Issue 96

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 2023/2024 RTO Annual Declaration on Compliance is now open. A link to the Declaration has been emailed to all TAC Registered Training Organisations' Legally Responsible Officers and Registration Officers.

RTOs are required to complete and submit their Declaration by 30 September 2024.

More information is available via the RTO Reporting Requirements page on the TAC website.

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 our upcoming event. You can also be alerted to new events by following TAC’s Event Page on Humanitix:

Using Internal Audits for Continuous Improvement - Wed 28th Aug 2024, 10:00 am - 11:30 am AWST

Webinar Recordings:

View the TAC Education Program to access professional development opportunities, support and guidance materials and access previous webinar recordings and resources. You can also watch any of the 60 videos available on TAC’s YouTube channel.

Focus on Quality - Third Party Arrangements

RTOs are required to advise TAC of all current third party arrangements by completing the RTO3 Notification of Third Party Agreement application form available via the RTOPortal. RTOs will need to notify TAC when entering into a new, or ending an arrangement as outlined below:

Starting an arrangement

When entering into an agreement with a third party, an RTO must notify TAC, either:

within 30 calendar days of the agreement being entered into; or
prior to the obligations of the agreement taking effect (whichever occurs first)

Finishing an arrangement

When ending an agreement with a third party:

an RTO must notify TAC within 30 calendar days of the agreement coming to an end.

What constitutes a third party arrangement?

An arrangement is classed as a third party arrangement when it provides any of the following services on behalf of the RTO:

Training.
Assessment.
Related education and support services.
Activities related to the recruitment of prospective learners.

RTO responsibilities regarding third party arrangements

Under the Standards for Registered Training Organisation (RTOs) 2015 (Clause 2.3-2.4), RTOs are responsible for all services delivered under its registration by third parties. Where services are provided on an RTO’s behalf, a written agreement is required and may be requested at audit. RTO’s are also required to systematically monitor any services delivered on its behalf, and use these to ensure that the services delivered comply with the Standards at all times.

Further information on Third Party Arrangements is available at:

Fact Sheet: Third Party Arrangements
Fact Sheet: Third Party Arrangements for the Third Party;
TAC Talks Podcast, Ep 12 - Notifying TAC of Third Party Arrangements
Webinar: Third Party Arrangements - The provision of services on behalf of RTOs

Strategic Industry Audit into High Risk Work Licences

The Council’s Focus on Quality: TAC Regulatory Strategy 2021-2023 identified units of competency leading to high risk work licences (HRWL units) as an area of focus, and endorsed a strategic industry audit (SIA) of RTOs within the Council’s jurisdiction that deliver nationally recognised HRWL units in Western Australia.

The audits were undertaken between February 2023 and May 2023 to investigate key issues impacting on the quality of training and assessment in HRWL units, RTO compliance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, and to determine whether there were systemic issues affecting the quality of training.

Overall, key findings of the SIA indicate that RTOs are meeting the requirements of the training package. In addition, levels of compliance against the following clauses in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 included:

Clauses 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.8, were fully compliant across all RTOs audited; and
Clause 4.1 (accurate & accessible information), Clause 5.1 (Learner informed of training product) and Clause 5.2 (Learner information and protection) were fully compliant across all RTOs audited.

The Council has released a summary of the HRWL SIA findings that can be accessed via the Strategic Review Reports page on the TAC website.

Catch up now on TAC’s latest podcast

TAC's Podcasts can be listened to on most podcast apps, YouTube or on the TAC Website.

TAC Talks Ep 21 - Amplifying Excellence in WA VET Through Award Winner Stories – Amy Hunt

This is the final episode of the TAC Talks series on Amplifying Excellence in WA VET Through Award Winner Stories, where we shine a spotlight on people making significant strides in vocational education and training (VET).

In this episode, we speak to Amy Hunt, a trailblazer in a traditionally male-dominated sphere who emerged as the winner of both the WA and Australian Apprentice of the Year awards. Her experience as a woman in this field provides rich insights into the importance of diversity initiatives and fostering inclusivity, underscoring the need for visibility and education.

Amy's story encourages young women and other potential learners considering a career in non-traditional fields, championing the idea of facing the unknown bravely and taking a leap of faith. This episode may serve as a valuable resource for RTOs seeking further information on fostering supportive environments for diversity and inclusion.

Updated Fact Sheet

The Trainer and Assessor Regulatory Requirements Fact Sheet has had a minor updated to include additional guidance on Secondary Teaching qualifications and its use in VET in WA.

Transition extensions

At the July 2024 meeting, the Council agreed to extend the transition period for the following training products:

CHC43115 CertificateIV in Disability (31 January 2025); and
CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services (31 July 2025).

View the full list of training products 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.

Other important updates

Changes to Industry Training Councils

WA Industry Training Councils provide strategic advice to the WA State Training Board and the Department of Training and Workforce Development on the training needs and skilling priorities for industries in Western Australia.

Effective July 1, 2024, the scope of industries covered by the Industry Training Councils has been realigned as closely as possible to match the industry groupings under the Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Councils.

Further information is available from each of the Industry Training Councils.

Consultation: Refreshing the National Code of Good Practice for Australian Apprenticeships

The Commonwealth Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is consulting on a refresh of the National Code of Good Practice for Australian Apprenticeships to ensure the understanding of roles and responsibilities is clear, and to support a quality apprenticeship and traineeship experience.

A 15 minute survey on your experiences participating in apprenticeships and traineeships is available from DEWRs website, closing on 31 July 2024

New targeted support services for Australian Apprentices and employers

The Commonwealth Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has engaged Apprentice Connect Australia Providers (Providers) to deliver focused help to better support apprentices and trainees and their employers from before the apprenticeship starts to its successful completion.

Providers started delivering the new Australian Apprenticeship Support Services program on 1 July 2024. The new program will increase the variety and capacity of organisations providing apprenticeship support services. More information is available on the Australian Apprenticeships website.

State Training Board’s new website

The State Training Board (STB) is moving its website to the WA.gov.au platform this month.

The move for STB to the WA.gov.au platform will assist customers and stakeholders to better connect with information, services and support available across all WA State Government agencies.

Jobs and Skills Australia

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the following:

Consultation

National Skills Taxonomy (NST) Discussion Paper - closes 9 August

As part of this consultation, there will also be a series of in-person and virtual workshops that will explore the range of views on the development of the NST. All times are local and virtual times are AEST:

Brisbane: 16 July 2pm-5pm
Perth: 17 July 2pm-5pm
Melbourne: 18 July, 9am-12pm
Virtual session: 23 July, 10am -1pm
Sydney: 25 July 9am-12pm

You can register for a workshop here. For more information please contact NationalSkillsTaxonomy@jobsandskills.gov.au

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TAC Update - Issue 96 - July 2024

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