Here at AuditExpress we have had a busy and successful 2015, and again it is time to grow our team.
We are on the look out for another Compliance Consultant / Internal Auditor superhero to work with us on some very exciting projects. If you are interested in working with the team at AuditExpress you can apply here >>>
Audit Express have partnered with Circulus Education to deliver the October VET Industry Drinks: Future Proofing Your Business
Times are changing in the VET sector. We are facing a major shift in the overall structure, regulation and funding of the VET sector. Attend our event on the 14th of October to learn more about future proofing your business.
You can register to attend here >>>
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The Australian reports that today Federal Training Minister Simon Birmingham will announce a crackdown on aggressive recruitment practices among RTOs.
From the 1st of July, training providers will be banned from fining or charging “administrative’’ fees for students who decide to withdraw from a course of study before the census date. Training providers will also be banned from marketing courses as “free’’ or “government-funded’’.
The Australian has quoted Senator Birmingham… [emaillocker id=6291]
We applaud Senator Birmingham’s stance on the matter and the changes being made. This simple yet effective change is likely to clean up some of the worst practices that we have seen across the sector with VET Fee Help over the past few years.
You can read the full Australian article here >>>
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/training-colleges-to-be-banned-from-fining-drop-out-students/story-e6frgcjx-1227413423177?login=1
You can read Senator Birmingham’s full press release here >>>
http://www.senatorbirmingham.com.au/Latest-News/ID/2748/Withdrawal-fees-banned-for-courses
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Today may be April Fools Day, but make no mistake this is no joke or laughing matter. The Standards for RTOs 2015 should be implemented into your RTO by now, in fact the deadline for full implementation is today. [emaillocker id=6291]
The message is simple; the New Standards are not equivalent, they are notably different to the SNR and AQTF. Do not put your head in the sand, if your RTO has not fully implemented the Standards into your RTO yet – you have a problem and the time to take action is now.
If you require assistance with implementing the Standards for RTOs 2015 into your organisation contact the friendly team at AuditExpress 1300735541 [/emaillocker]
If your Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivers training with access to government funding, ask yourself the following two important questions:
1) Is your RTO compliant with the requirements for each of its funding contract(s) ?
2) Is your RTO audit ready ?
With government funding for the VET Sector receiving recent significant media attention in relation to poor quality training providers, low completion rates and concerns around the practices of some RTOs using the VET Fee Help scheme, the time to check your RTOs contract compliance is now! [emaillocker id=6291]
See the following articles:
• http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/audit-flagged-for-vfh/story-e6frgcjx-1227178735160
• http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/concern-as-online-vet-course-completion-drops-enrolments-rise-20150116-12r4tx.html
Far too often RTOs reach out for help with compliance only days or weeks before they are due to receive an audit from the regulator or the relevant government department. This leaves little time to conduct an internal audit and even less time to take action on addressing any non-compliances. We see the best outcomes at audit when an RTO has a systematic approach to conducting regular internal audits across its entire operation.
With government funding contracts available across all states and territories it can be difficult for RTOs to keep up to date with the maze of compliance requirements, here are just a few examples of government funding that RTOs can now access across Australia:
If your RTO is delivering training with access to government funding and wants to take a best practice approach to its management and operation, you should be conducting an internal audit of your RTOs compliance in-line with the contractual requirements of each government funding contract at least every 12 months.
It is always best to take an holistic approach to conducting internal audits, whereby you systematically review your RTOs policies, procedures, business processes, records, student management system, student files and staff files. Following the audit you should identify any gaps, areas for improvement, strengths and non-compliances. Also, be sure to build an action plan to document any rectification work that may need to be carried out to achieve full compliance.
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The New Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 have arrived. Have you given any thought to how your organisation will demonstrate compliance with the New Standards for RTOs? [emaillocker id=6291]
If your RTO is registered with ASQA or the TAC by now your RTO should have started to implement the new standards. For information about the ASQA’s arrangements for implementing the New Standards – CLICK HERE
If your RTO is still registered with the VRQA you should continue to ensure that your RTO remains compliant with the AQTF Standards for RTOs and the VRQA Guidelines, however it is expected that at some point in 2015 the VRQA may adopt the new Standards as we saw with TAC in Western Australia last year.
Either way the time to act is now! Is your RTO compliant with the New Standards for RTOs 2015?
Audit Express have played a significant role in the consultation process with both the Minister and the Department of Industry. Also in the stages of developing and reviewing the New Standards for RTOs 2015.
We have developed a unique set of tools and techniques to audit your RTOs compliance with the New Standards for RTOs 2015.
Call Audit Express today on 1300 73 55 41 to discuss your organisation’s compliance with the New Standards for RTOs 2015. [/emaillocker]