Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021

Dated    11       /    03      / 2021

Michaelia Cash

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business

Contents

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name

2 Commencement

3 Authority

4 Repeals

5 Transitional and application provisions

6 Definitions

Part 2 Introduction and purpose

7 Introduction

8 Purpose of the Standards

Part 3 Course standards

9 Duplication

10 Course standards

Appendix 1 Template for course documentation for accreditation

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name

  This instrument is the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021.

2 Commencement

  This instrument commences on the day after it is registered.

3 Authority

  This instrument is made under subsection 188(1) of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.

4 Repeals

  The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 are repealed.

5 Transitional and application provisions

(1)     To avoid doubt, notwithstanding the repeal of the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012, a course that had been accredited under section 44 of the Act, including as a result of a renewal under section 50 of the Act, prior to Commencement Day, still meets the Standards for VET Accredited Courses on the Commencement Day.

(2)     This instrument applies to an application for accreditation of a course under section 43 of the Act, an application for the renewal of accreditation under section 50 of the Act, or a decision to cancel accreditation under section 52 of the Act on and from the Commencement Day.

(3)     The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 continue to apply to applications for accreditation of a course under section 43 of the Act, or an application for the renewal of accreditation under section 50 of the Act where the application was made prior to the Commencement Day.

6 Definitions

Note: Paragraph 13(1)(b) of the Legislation Act 2003 provides that, unless the contrary intention appears, expressions used in any instrument so made have the same meaning as in the enabling legislation as in force from time to time. This principle applies to the following expressions which are defined in the Act:

(a)           Australian Qualifications Framework;

(b)           National VET Regulator;

(c)           non-referring State;

(d)           registered training organisation;

(e)           VET accredited course;

(f)            VET statement of attainment; and

(g)           VET qualification.

  In this instrument:

Act means the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.

accreditation means the accreditation of a course under Part 3 of the Act.

articulation means the arrangements that facilitate the movement or progression of learners from one qualification or course to another, or from one education and training sector to another.

assessment means the process of collecting evidence and making judgements on whether competency has been achieved, to confirm that an individual can perform to the standard required in the workplace, education or community place as specified in a Training Package or VET accredited course.

assessment requirements means the endorsed component of a Training Package, or a component of a VET accredited course. Assessment requirements set out the approach to valid, reliable, flexible and fair assessment.

AQF qualification has the same meaning as in the Australian Qualifications Framework.

AVETMISS has the same meaning as in the National VET Data Policy.

Commencement Day means the day after these Standards are registered.

competency means the consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.

credit arrangements means the arrangements that facilitate the movement or progression of learners from one qualification or course to another through a formal process.

foundation skills has the same meaning as in the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults.

industry means the bodies that have a stake in the development of courses and the training and assessment services provided by Registered Training Organisations. These can include, but are not limited to:

(a)     enterprise or industry clients, such as employers;

(b)     group training organisations;

(c)     industry organisations;

(d)     industry regulators;

(e)     professional associations;

(f)      Skills Service Organisations, or their successor;

(g)     Industry Reference Committees or their successors;         

(h)     industry training advisory bodies; and

(i)       unions.

industry regulator means a body or organisation responsible for the regulation of, or licensing arrangements within, a specific industry or occupation.

module relates to a specific area of learning at a given level of knowledge or skills performance, and is made up of a number of learning outcomes and assessment criteria. It directly aligns to the stated educational, community or legislative outcomes of its course. Modules do not have direct industry, occupational or vocational outcomes as these are reflected in units of competency.

National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults means the document of that name, endorsed by the former Standing Council for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment, as amended from time to time.

National Register means the national register on vocational education and training in Australia. It is the authoritative source of nationally recognised training and registered training organisations who have the approved scope to deliver nationally recognised training.

National VET Data Policy means the document by that name, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments Skills Council, or their successor.

pathways allow students to move between qualification levels with full or partial recognition for the qualifications and/or learning outcomes they have attained.

RTO means registered training organisation.

RTO Standards means the applicable standards applied by the VET Regulator and, in relation to the National VET Regulator, means the Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations referred to in subsection 185(2) of the Act.

Skills Service Organisation means an organisation by that title funded by the Commonwealth to support Industry Reference Committees in their role, or its successor.

Training Package specifies the knowledge and skills required by individuals to perform effectively in the workplace, which are expressed in units of competency. Training packages detail how units of competency are packaged into nationally recognised and portable qualifications that comply with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

units of competency means the specification of the standards of performance required in the workplace as defined in a VET accredited course or Training Package. 

VET Regulator means:

(a)   the National VET Regulator; and

(b)   a body of a non-referring State that is responsible for the kinds of matters dealt with under the VET legislation for that State.

vocational competency means industry knowledge and experience, at least at the level being delivered and assessed. A person who has vocational competency will be familiar with the content of the vocation and will have current direct relevant experience in the industry.

Part 2 Introduction and purpose

7 Introduction

VET accredited courses are designed to address skill requirements for industry, education, legislative, enterprise or community needs, where these are not covered in nationally endorsed Training Packages. VET accredited courses also have the capacity to address changes in skill needs, and the needs of emerging industries, in a responsive manner. A collaborative approach between national bodies with responsibility for the development and endorsement of Training Packages and VET Regulators provides an effective and timely response to the changing needs of industry.

8 Purpose of the Standards

Under section 44 of the Act, the National VET Regulator, when deciding whether to grant an application for the accreditation of a course, must consider whether the course meets the Standards for VET Accredited Courses and the Australian Qualifications Framework. The National VET Regulator must also consider the Standards for VET Accredited Courses when making a decision to cancel the accreditation of a course under section 52 of the Act, or to renew accreditation under section 50 of the Act. 

The purpose of these Standards is to ensure that, when making decisions to accredit a course, or cancel or renew accreditation of a course, the National VET Regulator must consider whether the course:

• meets industry, education, legislative, enterprise or community needs;
• provides appropriate competency outcomes and a satisfactory basis for assessment;
• meets national quality assurance requirements; and
• is aligned to the appropriate level of the Australian Qualifications Framework where it leads to a VET qualification.

A national template for course accreditation is at Appendix 1 to these Standards. The template provides the basis for the development of strategies for training and assessment by each RTO and describes essential course information including the packaging rules, outcomes to be achieved, standards for assessment and required resources.

Part 3 Course standards

In deciding to grant an application for the accreditation of a course, the National VET Regulator must consider whether the course meets the following standards.

 Note: Under section 43 of the Act, an application for accreditation must be accompanied by any information or documents that the National VET Regulator requires.

The National VET Regulator may cancel the accreditation of a VET accredited course under section 52 of the Act if the course ceases to meet these standards.

9 Duplication

A course must not duplicate, by title or coverage, the outcomes of an endorsed Training Package qualification or skill set or accredited course.

10 Course standards

(1)     A course must be based on an established industry, education, legislative, enterprise or community need.

(2)     A course must be based on nationally endorsed units of competency where these are available and where these are not available the course is based on:

(a)   units of competency developed as part of the course in accordance with the unit of competency template; or

(b)   where subsection 10(4) applies, modules.

 Note: Units of competency or modules are developed in consultation with, and validated by industry, enterprise, community and/or professional groups and documented in accordance with these standards.

(3)     A course must include skills and knowledge components, expressed as:

(a)   units of competency; or

(b)   where subsection 10(4) applies, modules.

(4)     A course may only include modules in exceptional circumstances where the applicant can demonstrate the need for the module and why it is not possible to develop a unit of competency prior to commencing course development.

(5)     A course either leads to a:

(a)   VET qualification and have course outcomes that are consistent with the AQF qualification descriptor identified for the course; or

(b)   VET statement of attainment when course outcomes meet an identified industry, education, legislative, enterprise or community need but do not have the breadth and depth required for a VET qualification as stated in the Australian Qualifications Framework.

(6)     A course identifies foundation skills relevant to the course outcomes.

(7)     A course confirms recognition to be given to the course by licensing, regulatory, professional or industry bodies where applicable.

(8)     A course must specify rules for the structure of the course.

(9)     A course must identify exit points from the course which provide for vocational or educational outcomes where applicable.

(10)  A course must provide information on educational pathways and articulation where applicable.

(11) A course must specify any entry requirements to the course and justify any explicit limitations to access.

(12) A course must specify course assessment strategies, which:

(a)   are valid, reliable, flexible and fair;

(b)   provide for the collection of evidence of competency that is sufficient, valid, authentic and current;

(c)   are consistent with the assessment requirements in the relevant Training Package(s) where nationally endorsed units of competency are used;

(d)   are consistent with the assessment requirement in the relevant VET accredited course where units from an accredited course are used;

(e)   ensure that workplace and regulatory requirements, where relevant, are met; and

(f)    identify and justify any requirements for workplace and/or simulated assessment.

(13) A course must provide guidance on appropriate delivery modes, together with advice on limitations on course delivery modes and any requirements for work placements or on-the-job training.

(14) A course must specify facilities and resources and the vocational competency requirements of trainers and assessors essential for the delivery of the course. Vocational competency must be considered on an industry-by-industry basis and with reference to the assessment requirements of the VET accredited course and assessment conditions of units of competency.

(15) A course must incorporate and identify course monitoring and evaluation processes which ensure that:

(a)   the course content and outcomes are reviewed and remain current and relevant throughout the period of accreditation;

(b)   the National VET regulator is informed of any proposed changes to the course (for example, changes to entry requirements, course structure, inclusion of training package units, or changes to core and elective units) and, if required, any relevant material is provided to the National VET Regulator to enable it to determine whether the course remains current and continues to comply with these standards throughout the period of accreditation; and

(c)   if the course is changed as a result of course monitoring and evaluation, any RTO that has been licensed or franchised to deliver the course is advised of the changes by the copyright owner.

Appendix 1 Template for course documentation for accreditation

The national template is mandatory and is designed to assist in development of courses for accreditation and renewal of accreditation under the Act that lead to an Australian Qualifications Framework qualification or to a VET statement of attainment. The template is divided into three sections (A, B and C) which together form the course document.

The course document (Sections A, B and C) is the specification for the VET accredited course. It provides the basis for the development of strategies for training and assessment by each RTO and describes essential course information.

• Section A provides information about persons in respect of whom a course is to be accredited and course classification code
• Section B contains details of industry, education, legislative, enterprise or community needs, and the rules under which the course may be accessed, delivered and assessed
• Section C includes the units of competency or modules that are contained in the course

Section A: Applicant and course classification information

Section B: Course information

Section C: Units of competency

Section C of the course documentation consists of the units of competency making up the course (or modules, where relevant).

The following must be included:

1.  A list of the codes and titles of units of competency imported from the Training Package(s) and/or VET accredited course(s);

Note: the code and title of the units must be current and the same as the code and title used in the parent Training Package(s) and/or VET accredited course(s).

 And/or

2.  The units of competency developed for the course, which comply with the requirements outlined in the following unit of competency and assessment requirements templates;

 And/or

3.  Modules for the course.

 Note: Modules may only be included in exceptional circumstances where the legal entity or person in respect of whom the course is accredited establishes a case, to the satisfaction of the National VET Regulator, that explains the need for the module and why it is not possible to develop an appropriate unit of competency (see standard 10.4). Applicants should consult with the National VET Regulator prior to the development of the course.

Unit of Competency Template

Assessment Requirements Template