The integrity of the VET sector is crucial for ensuring quality training and assessment. Certification, a cornerstone of this integrity, provides tangible evidence of competency and qualifications. It underpins public trust in the VET system, enabling employers and industry to rely confidently on graduates' skills and abilities.
There have been recent reports of the increasing prevalence of bogus qualifications in circulation and subsequent concerns for the integrity of the VET sector. The Council wishes to remind RTOs to remain vigilant to the risk of fraudulent certification and provides guidance below to assist RTOs in protecting their certification and authenticating qualifications.
Fraudulent certificates undermine the value of genuine qualifications attained by students and issued by RTOs, erodes public trust in the VET system, and can potentially endanger public safety. When false credentials are presented to employers, licensing bodies, or other training providers, it devalues the hard work and dedication of legitimate students.
Issuing bogus qualifications is a serious offence under the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 with financial penalties. To safeguard VET integrity, the Council encourages all RTOs to:
- Protect Your Certificates: Implement robust measures to prevent fraudulent reproduction of your certificates and refer to the TAC’s Users’ Guide for detailed guidance.
- Verify Authenticity: Always verify the authenticity of presented qualifications before accepting them.
- Leverage USI Transcripts: Encourage students to use their Unique Student Identifier (USI) transcripts to validate their qualifications. Inform students about accessing their transcripts online.
- Stay Informed: Familiarise yourself with the required details for legitimate qualifications and statements of attainment. View the Fact Sheet: Issuing Testamurs and Statements of Attainment, and listen to the podcast on Fraudulent Certificates for comprehensive information on this topic.
- Report Suspicions: If you encounter a fraudulent certificate, contact the affected RTO with details. If you are the affected RTO, contact the Police for guidance. TAC-regulated RTOs should also notify us.
Maintaining the integrity of VET is a shared responsibility. By working together, Regulators, RTOs, and industry stakeholders can protect the value and trust associated with Western Australian VET qualifications.
Revised Standards for RTOs to be released this month
These revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are set to be released this month - agreed upon by Commonwealth, State, and Territory Skills Ministers in May, they are planned to come into full effect from July 1, 2025.
The new framework aims to provide RTOs with greater flexibility in delivering quality training while maintaining high standards, to support innovation and improve overall training quality.
The revised Standards will be consolidated into three documents:
- Standards for Registered Training Organisations
- Credential Policy
- Compliance Requirements
More information on the revised Standards will be provided as it becomes available through a TAC Special Bulletin and on the TAC Website.
Neil Fernandes Completes Tenure at Training Accreditation Council
The Training Accreditation Council extends its sincere gratitude to Neil Fernandes for his valuable contributions during his 10 years as a Council member.
We wish Neil all the very best in his future endeavours.
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.
This webinar outlines the new Fit and Proper Person Requirements (FPPR) Policy developed by TAC in response to the 1 March 2024 Early Changes to the Standards. It aims to assist TAC regulated RTOs in complying with the FPPR outlined in Clause 7.1 and Schedule 3 of the Standards.
Focus on Quality - Enhancing Certificate Security: Strategies to Prevent Fraud
When producing certificates, it's crucial to include sufficient information to ensure authentication and reduce fraudulent copying and use. Printing certificates on plain paper using templates from common word-processing applications makes it easy for someone to recreate a document that looks identical to your certification.
If you're printing certificates, consider these security enhancements:
- Print on security paper: Use special paper that includes features such as watermarks, security fibres, and chemically reactive materials. These features make it difficult to reproduce or alter the certificate.
- Include a hologram or seal: Holograms and embossed seals are highly effective security features that can significantly enhance the authenticity of your certificates. These elements are difficult and expensive to replicate, making them excellent deterrents against forgery.
- Add microtext: Small text that's difficult to read without a magnifying glass can enhance security, as it's challenging to reproduce.
- Use special inks: Employ inks that fluoresce under ultraviolet light or change colour when exposed to heat.
- Design with intricate patterns: Create certificates with elements that are difficult to replicate, such as complex patterns or designs.
Using all or some of these features makes it more challenging for unauthorised individuals to replicate the certificate or alter its contents.
Alternatively, providing certificates electronically is easier, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. However, it is also easier to recreate an electronic document if your document is not protected. A digital certification system can help to reduce the risk of fraudulent certificates by providing a secure and tamper-proof way of verifying qualifications. This system could include the use of digital signatures and encryption to ensure the authenticity of the certificates.
Whether using electronic or paper-based certificates, it's good practice for RTOs not to allow third parties to create and issue certificates on their behalf.
Catch up now on TAC’s latest podcast series
Have you listened to the Amplifying Excellence in WA VET Through Award Winner Stories series? In this four part series we shine a spotlight on people making significant strides in vocational education and training (VET).
TAC's Podcasts can be listened to on most podcast apps, YouTube or on the TAC Website.
RTO Annual Declaration on Compliance
The 2023/2024 RTO Annual Declaration on Compliance is now open. A link to the Declaration was emailed today 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, regardless of whether any training has been conducted.
More information is available on the TAC website.
Transition extensions
At the August 2024 meeting, the Council agreed to extend the transition period for the following training product:
- 52825WA - Certificate II in Building and Construction (Pathway - Para Professional) 27 October 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
New Ministers Appointed
On 28 July 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appointed the Senator the Hon Murray Watt as Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and the Hon Andrew Giles MP as the new Minister for Skills and Training. Further details are available here on the Commonwealth Government’s Ministerial appointments.
WA Training Awards
The Council extends its congratulations to all finalists of the 2024 WA Training Awards. As the sponsor of the WA Trainer of the Year category, we offer particular congratulations to (pictured left to right:):
- Tam Nguyen
- Lisa Piller
- Rick Spooner
- Darren Way
View the full list of finalists here.
Qualification Reform
In response to the initial advice from the Qualification Reform Design Group, to the Skills Minister, the Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) will road-test a new Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications system.
SaCSA is undertaking the following two projects within the Qualification Reform:
- Purpose Categorisation Activity
- Shaping Service Skills: A Skills Pathways and Qualifications Reform Project.
For more information, or to be involved visit SaCSA’s website.
State Training Board’s new website
The State Training Board (STB) has moved its website to the WA.gov.au platform.
To keep informed about the STB’s strategic priorities and key projects visit: wa.gov.au/stb
Final Consultation on ANZSCO Review
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is undertaking a comprehensive review of Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) to reflect the contemporary labour market and better meet stakeholders’ needs. Public consultation rounds were held across 2023 with each round targeting selected occupations grouped by focus area.
The final consultation is being held from 25 July to 6 September, and will allow users an opportunity to provide feedback on the complete set of proposed changes before finalising the classification for release in December 2024.
For more details on the ANZCO review, or to participate visit the ABS website.
Jobs and Skills Australia
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the following:
Reports:
Latest NCVER Reports
NCVER has released the following new reports:
- VET in Schools 2023 - 31 July
