Outcome
Effective governance and a commitment to continuous improvement supports the quality and integrity of VET delivery.
Overview of Quality Area 4
Quality Area 4 comprises three focus areas and four Standards that detail the overarching expectations for the RTO’s governance.
| Focus areas | Standards | |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership and accountability | 4.1 | The RTO operates with integrity and is accountable for the delivery of quality services. |
| 4.2 | Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood. | |
| Risk management | 4.3 | Risks to VET students, staff and the RTO are identified and managed. |
| Continuous improvement | 4.4 | The RTO undertakes systematic monitoring and evaluation to support the delivery of quality services and continuous improvement. |
Intent of Quality Area 4
Good governance is crucial for all RTOs as it establishes systems, policies and practices that ensure accountability, transparency and integrity. It provides a clear framework for decision-making, promoting efficiency and effectiveness in achieving quality VET outcomes.
Good governance also fosters trust among stakeholders, including staff, students, regulators and the broader community. It demonstrates a commitment to ethical practices and compliance with laws and regulations. It also mitigates risks by identifying and addressing potential issues proactively, protecting student wellbeing and the RTO’s reputation and sustainability.
Quality Area 4 describes the essential elements of good governance. It involves the RTO:
- operating with integrity and being accountable for the delivery of quality services
- having clear lines of accountability within the organisation, based on well-defined and understood roles and responsibilities
- being able to identify and mitigate risks to students, staff and the RTO and putting appropriate risk management strategies in place
- having systems and practices in place to monitor and evaluate the performance of the RTO and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Acting with integrity also means having fit and proper persons who are committed to upholding the integrity of VET and leading a positive culture that promotes fairness, transparency and compliance with the Standards.
