As announced in the TAC Special Bulletin on 1 October, the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council has endorsed the revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), which are planned for implementation from July 2025. The revised Standards Package is available to download from the TAC online guidance hub and includes the three policy documents: the Outcome Standards, Compliance Requirements, and the Credential Policy.
The Council is committed to providing comprehensive support to RTOs during their transition to the revised Standards and has developed a multi-faceted approach:
Webinar Series: TAC is offering a series of webinars, beginning with an Overview of the Standards on 23 October and a webinar on Creating a Child Safe Organisation on 28 October. While participation in the live sessions is restricted to TAC regulated RTOs, recordings of these sessions will be available on the TAC YouTube channel. Registration details are contained further in the newsletter.
Targeted Support: Subsequent webinars will focus on areas where RTOs have expressed a need for further clarification and guidance. Webinar topics will include Culturally safe learning environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, navigating inclusive VET environments, and continuous improvement.
Updated Resources: The Council is revising and expanding its support materials. This includes updating existing Fact Sheets to align with the Standards, creating new ones to address any information gaps and providing a dedicated online resource on the TAC website. More information on the guidance hub is located further in this newsletter.
Ongoing Communication: To keep RTOs informed about new resources and support initiatives as they become available, the Council encourages subscribing to the TAC Update, following the Humanitix page for webinar announcements, and connecting on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
Launch of the Revised Standards for RTOs Online Guidance Hub
TAC is committed to providing guidance that enhances the capability and understanding of RTOs and their staff in implementing the revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations.
A key initiative is the launch of the online guidance hub, designed to serve as a reliable 'source of truth' for TAC RTOs. Aligned with the Commonwealth Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) Policy Guidance document, the hub will offer a clear and accessible understanding of the Standards' intent. TAC will regularly update the hub with fact sheets, webinars, and podcasts, ensuring RTOs have access to the most current information.
Key features of the online guidance hub include:
- Intuitive navigation for quick access to specific topics
- Streamlined updates to maintain content relevance
- Notifications of new information via TAC Update and LinkedIn
By providing this centralised resource, TAC aims to empower RTOs to make informed decisions, navigate the regulatory environment confidently, and ultimately deliver high-quality training and assessment.
The hub can be accessed at Standards for RTOs Online Guidance Hub and is divided into 10 sections:
- Overview
- Quality Area 1: Training and Assessment
- Quality Area 2: Student Support
- Quality Area 3: VET Workforce
- Quality Area 4: Governance
- Compliance Requirements Guidance
- Credential Policy
- VET Regulations
- Glossary
- FAQs
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.
- Revised Standards for RTOs: an overview - For TAC RTOs Only - Wed 23rd Oct 2024, 10:00 am - 11:30 am AWST
- Creating a Child Safe Organisation by WACOSS - For TAC RTOs Only - Mon 28th Oct 2024, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm AWST
2024 RTO and Stakeholder Extended to 20 October 2024
The 2024 RTO and Stakeholder Survey deadline has been extended until 20 October 2024.
The survey is open to RTOs registered with the Council between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Eligible participants were emailed a unique survey link by the research company, Research Solutions. If you don’t recall receiving this email, please check junk or spam email folders as your ICT security settings may have redirected these emails.
While participation is voluntary, your input is highly valued and will directly contribute to enhancing the Council’s services The feedback received from the TAC surveys directly contributes to establishing the TAC Regulatory Strategy and informs the range of topics available through the TAC Education Program including the provision of extensive professional development opportunities to support RTOs.
We encourage you to complete the survey by the new deadline.
If you haven’t received the email and your unique survey link from Research Solutions, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at tac@dtwd.wa.gov.au
National Skills Plan
Australia’s first National Skills Plan (the Plan) outlines Skills Ministers’ vision for the national vocational education and training system, and the approach to achieving the shared goals of the National Skills Agreement.
The agreed national priorities outlined in the National Skills Plan are:
- Gender Equality
- Closing the Gap
- Supporting the net zero transformation
- Sustaining essential care services
- Developing Australia’s sovereign capability and food security
- Ensuring Australia’s digital and technological capability
- Delivering housing supply
- Delivering reforms to improve the regulation of VET qualifications and quality
More information is available at National Skills Plan (dewr.gov.au).
VET Workforce Blueprint
The VET Workforce Blueprint has been developed in collaboration with states and territories to provide a roadmap to grow, support and sustain the VET workforce. It has been informed by consultations with stakeholders and expert advice from the VET Workforce Blueprint Steering Group.
The key goals of the Blueprint are to:
- Grow the workforce: Increasing the number of people entering the VET workforce to ensure long-term supply of staff to support quality training.
- Retain and develop the workforce: Improving retention and supporting workforce capability to ensure a sustainable, highly skilled and quality VET workforce.
- Understand the workforce: Developing data collection systems for the VET workforce and undertaking foundational work and research to better understand the various roles and pathways across all VET contexts.
The Blueprint identifies 8 opportunities and 14 actions to address challenges and barriers to the attraction, retention and development of the VET workforce. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains responsive to changes within the VET sector and the economy.
More information is available at VET Workforce Blueprint (dewr.gov.au).
Transition Extensions
At the October 2024 meeting, the Council agreed to extend the transition period for the following training product:
The following seven qualifications from the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package until 31 January 2026:
- AHC20720 Certificate II in Nursery Operations
- AHC31120 Certificate III in Nursery Operations
- AHC21020 Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- AHC31421 Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- AHC30820 Certificate III in Arboriculture
- AHC31021 Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
- AHC31319 Certificate III in Sports Turf Management
The following five units of competency from the UET Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package until 13 October 2025:
- UETDRRF002 Perform EWP rescue
- UETDRRF003 Perform pole top rescue
- UETDRRF004 Perform rescue from a live LV panel
- UETDRRF006 Perform tower rescue
- UETTDRRF08 Perform EWP controlled descent escape
View the full list of training products approved for an extended transition periods.
The Council may consider requests to extend the transition period of as superseded training product when certain conditions apply. Further information is available on the TAC Website.
Other important updates
Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program - Consultation
The Australian Government has committed $76.2 million over 5 years to a new voluntary program to improve how First Nations people transition out of the justice system and into employment, education and training.
The REAL Program will be available to First Nations people, aged 15 years and older, who have been incarcerated, with a known release date, or who are on remand. Support will commence up to 6 months before release and continue for up to 12 months post release.
Interested stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the REAL Program discussion paper by COB Thursday, 31 October 2024.
Latest NCVER Reports
NCVER has released the following new report:
