Making the 2017 Annual Declaration on Compliance for your RTO
[/vc_column_text][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-calendar” color=”custom” size=”xl” align=”center” custom_color=”#8dc63f”][vc_column_text]All Australian Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are required to submit an annual declaration on their compliance with the RTO Standards applicable to their organisation. ASQA and VRQA RTOs are required to submit the annual declaration of compliance to their regulator before Friday 31st March 2017.
The requirements and format of the declaration are slightly different and vary between each of the three Australian VET Regulators:
-The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) -Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA – VIC based RTOs)
-Training Accreditation Council (TAC – WA based RTOs)
Audit Express have prepared an overview of the requirements for making an annual declaration with each of the three Australian VET Regulators.
Regardless of which regulator you will be making your declaration to, our advice is that before you make your annual declaration on compliance for your RTO you first ensure that you are well informed in relation to:
-The level of your compliance in your RTO -Any existing non-compliances in your RTO -Any non-compliances or gaps in relation to Assessment Tools and Assessment Practices (Actual assessment of students)
Audit Express recommend completing an independent internal audit of your RTO annually. This would ideally take place in the second half of the calendar year (July – December) and you should be using the outcomes of this internal audit to inform the annual declaration that you submit to your Regulator. You are reminded that your declaration is a legal document, you must be truthful and completely open and transparent in making the declaration. There are penalties under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act (2011) for making a false declaration and there are also penalties for not making a declaration. If your RTO fails to make its annual declaration of compliance you also risk having your RTOs registration cancelled.
This is not a simple form to be ticked and sent back to your regulator. The submission of your RTOs annual declaration of compliance must be taken seriously.
If you have any questions, concerns or require assistance with making your annual declaration, do not hesitate to contact the team at Audit Express by phoning 1300 73 55 41.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][just_icon icon=”Defaults-legal” icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#8dc63f”][vc_column_text]
ASQA Registered Providers
Making your RTOs Annual Declaration on Compliance with ASQA
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]RTOs that are registered with ASQA are required to make an annual declaration on their RTO’s compliance with the Standards for RTOs 2015, in accordance with Clause 8.4 of the Standards for RTOs 2015 to ASQA no later than the 31st of March 2017.
At the beginning of February, ASQA sent the CEO nominated on training.gov.au for each RTO, notification of their obligation to complete this declaration. The email also contained a unique link to an online form. The form is available from the beginning of February until the end of March. This allows your RTO two months to undertake the self-assessment required to complete the declaration. You can save the online form and return to it at any time before the end of March. If you have not received this correspondence please check your details on training.gov.au to ensure that ASQA has access to your current email address and contact the ASQA Help Desk if your RTO has not received this email.
Remember that when submitting the declaration, you are confirming to ASQA that you:
systematically monitor your RTO’s compliance, and
implement preventive and corrective actions where considered necessary.
ASQA will not email you a copy of your Declaration, you will have the option to print a copy of your declaration when you complete the form. Make sure that you print and keep a copy of your completed declaration for your records.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][just_icon icon=”Defaults-legal” icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#8dc63f”][vc_column_text]
VIC VRQA Registered Providers
Making your RTOs Annual Declaration on Compliance with VRQA
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Victorian based RTOs that are registered with the VRQA are required to make an annual declaration on compliance with the AQTF Standards and VRQA Guidelines, in accordance with Guideline 5 of the 2016 VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers, which requires each RTO to complete an Annual Declaration of Compliance and submit it to the VRQA before the 1st of April 2017.
The VRQA’s annual declaration requires RTO to declare that it:
currently meets the requirements of the AQTF Standards and the 2016 VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers across all its scope of registration, and has met the requirements of the AQTF Standards and 2016 VRQA Guidelines for all AQF certification documentation it has issued in the previous 12 months: and
has training and assessment strategies and practices in place that ensure that all current and prospective learners will be trained and assessed in accordance with the AQTF Standards and 2016 VRQA Guidelines.
It is assumed that by submitting the annual declaration that the RTO is confirming that it has systematically monitored compliance and whether any issues identified have been corrected.
The 2017 declaration allows RTOs to note their compliance/noncompliance. Where a noncompliance is identified, RTOs must provide the reasons and any rectification measures being implemented in the relevant section of the form. The annual declaration must be signed by the Principal Executive Officer/Chief Executive Officer who is registered with the VRQA as listed on Training.gov.au.
Once you have completed the Annual Declaration of Compliance you should send it to the VRQA by email at qar@edumail.vic.gov.au
The VRQA have advised RTOs that by not submitting the declaration, or not contacting the VRQA will be deemed as non-compliance with the ongoing registration requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). The VRQA will follow up individually with non-compliant RTOs. This could lead to your RTO registration being cancelled.
Click here to download a copy of the VRQA VET Declaration of Compliance template.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][just_icon icon=”Defaults-legal” icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#8dc63f”][vc_column_text]
WA TAC Registered Providers
Making your RTOs Annual Declaration on Compliance with TAC
RTOs were required to submit their annual declaration for 2016 by the 30th of September 2016. It is understood that RTOs registered with TAC will be not be required to submit their 2017 declaration until 30th of September 2017.
If you’re an RTO CEO, TAC will notify you by email closer to September of your obligation to complete this declaration. Please check your details on training.gov.au to ensure that TAC has access to your current email address.
In 2016 RTOs registered with TAC were required to complete their annual declaration as an online form which was accessed at:
When you submit the annual declaration of compliance, you are confirming to TAC that you are making a truthful declaration that is based on a systematic evaluation, which was based on evidence from a range of sources, including the outcomes of validation, complaints and appeals processes, feedback from learners, clients, trainers and assessors and quality/performance indicator data collected under the Data Provision Requirements.
Like ASQA, TAC have advised RTOs that Clause 8.4 of the Standards requires RTOs to provide an annual declaration on compliance. Clause 8.1(a) also requires RTOs to cooperate with the VET Regulator by providing accurate and truthful responses to information requests from the Regulator. Failure to submit a completed declaration means your RTO is non-compliant with the Standards, and this could lead to your RTOs registration being cancelled.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The Victorian Government has opened expressions of interest for the new VET Funding Contract Skills First: Real training for real jobs. The application process for a funding contract in 2017 has changed significantly, and the Department requires a more comprehensive and detailed application.
Audit Express is running a number of informative webinars for Registered Training Organisations who wish to apply for the 2017 Skills First contract.
Our first webinar is on Friday 9th September 2016 and is free. It will cover the essentials about the Skills First application process and attendees will also receive a free factsheet to assist them with finding the right documents and information to assist in the application process.
Our website will also have the latest information and updates on the Skills First contract and we encourage you to visit our website regularly.
Should your organisation require any assistance with the applicaiton process, please do not hesitate to contact us directly on 1300 73 55 41 [/vc_column_text][/emaillocker][/vc_column][vc_column el_styling=”softshadow”][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right”]
Skills First – Application Process: The Essentials
FREE – 30 Minutes
This webinar will briefly explore all the essential elements of what is required for the application process for the 2017 Victorian Skills First funding contract.
The 2017 Funding Contract for Victoria has introduced a range of changes to the application process and requires Registered Training Organisations to provide more information on the type of contract they want to apply for, the number of students they intend to commence, how they propose to deliver their training programs and who will be delivering the training for them.
After this short 30 minute FREE webinar, participants will also receive a free fact sheet on the essential elements of the application process, and where to start.
WHEN Friday, 9 September 2016 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM (AEST)
Skills First – Application Process: Developing the Program Delivery Plan
Webinar – 1.5 Hours
The application process for the 2017 Skills First Contract in Victoria requires Registered Training Organisations to develop a Program Delivery Plan (PDP) and provide these details in the expression of interest.
Registered Training Organisations must ensure they provide clear and accurate details in the PDP which reflect quality provision of training and assessment which meet a number of criteria.
This webinar will go through the process of what information is required in the PDP, how to fill it out and take a best practice approach to designing Program Delivery Plans that accurately reflect your organisations Training and Assessment Strategies and practices.
WHEN Tuesday, 13 September 2016 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (AEST)
Unpacking the Skills First Regional Jobs and Training Needs Reports
Webinar – 1 Hour
This webinar will explore the Jobs and Training Needs Reports which will provide vital information required in the application process for the Skills First expressions of interest.
Registered Training Organisations are required to demonstrate that they will be delivering training that meets industry skills needs and support government priorities. The Jobs and Training Needs Reports provide detailed information for each of the regions and this webinar will assist atendees with:
-Finding the right documents
-Understanding what data can be found
-How to apply the data in the application process
-Using the data to inform future business growth
Attendees will also receive a factsheet on the Jobs and Training Needs Reports.
WHEN Wednesday, 14 September 2016 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (AEST)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]ASQA have announced their strengthened communication protocols with the Victorian Department, Higher Education and Skills Group (HESG) that were signed off earlier this year by the Victorian State Minister for Training and Skills and the Commonwealth Minister for Vocational Education and Skills. The new protocols will see ASQA and the Victorian Department work closely together to target poor quality training providers. [emaillocker id=6291]
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that have funding contracts across multiple states should already be aware that it is not only the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) that maintains a close relationship with ASQA. The Departments of Education and Training from all States and Territories hold a memorandum of understanding to maintain close communication with each other, and also with the regulator(s) – including ASQA, VRQA and TAC.
Essentially the new protocols mean that ASQA and the Victorian Department (HESG) will continue to maintain closer contact and work together to identify and respond to poor quality training providers, whilst also strengthening information sharing between the two agencies. ASQA and the Victorian DET are also expected to establish joint working groups and a taskforce. The team at Audit Express will be watching this closely and suspect that other states may follow the lead taken by the Victorian government. For more detail click here to see the full ASQA factsheet.
If your RTO has recently undergone a VTG Quality Review, VTG Business Process Audit, or VTG Transactional Audit; it is almost certain that both your RTO regulator and any other state departments that you hold a funding contract with will also have been informed, and that they may also be looking into your RTOs compliance.
Receiving a negative outcome at audit for either RTO registration compliance, or for RTO funding contract compliance is a serious issue and should be taken seriously.
If you require assistance responding to an audit report, or need help with a post audit rectification project contact the experts at Audit Express today. [/emaillocker][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
“Can our RTO deliver a qualification in a shorter time frame than what is listed in the AQF Volume of Learning?”
ASQA has clearly answered this question in their latest FAQs update:
“Each learner must gain and be assessed against all the knowledge and skills described in the training package or accredited course. Depending on the circumstances and the characteristics of your learners, it may be possible to achieve this in a shorter period than that described in the AQF….. [emaillocker id=6291]
Your RTO may structure a course to be completed in a shorter time period than that described in the AQF. In this case, you will need to clearly describe, using a rationale based on the previous skills and knowledge and the needs of learners, how a specific learner cohort: • has the characteristics to achieve the required rigour and depth of training, and • can meet all of the competency requirements in a shorter time frame.
Your description must take into account the need to allow learners to reflect on and absorb the knowledge, to practice the skills in different contexts and to learn to apply the skills and knowledge in the varied environments that the ‘real world’ offers before being assessed”.
The AQF Volume of Learning Explanation states that:
“Provider decisions about the duration of the delivery of a qualification must take into account the students’ likelihood of successfully achieving the learning outcomes and ensure that the integrity of the qualification outcomes is maintained. If the duration of delivery is substantially different from the volume of learning specified by the qualification type specification, providers should be able to provide pedagogical rationale to support the variation.”
What does this mean for your RTO?
Well firstly, as an organisation if you have determined the need or demand to deliver your training programs over a duration that is shorter than the AQF Volume of Learning, be sure to undertake some industry consultation that demonstrates support for the proposed duration of the training program. You should also make sure that your training and assessment strategy clearly explains how and why you have determined the need to deliver the training program in this way. In addition you should also document how your learners have the capacity and capability to achieve the requirements of the training program; and exactly how the learners will meet all of the competency requirements in a shorter time frame.
You really need to outline this in a way that makes the regulator confident that the training package requirements and the level of quality outlined in the Standards for RTOs will not be compromised by the shortened duration of your training program.
The team at AuditExpress often come across brilliant training programs that are delivered in durations that are shorter than those outlined in the AQF Volume of Learning. The key to both success and compliance is making sure that you have undertaken quality industry consultation for all of your training programs and that you maintain detailed and accurate training and assessment strategies.
This morning Matthew Dale Director of Audit Express spoke with ABC Radio host Joseph Thomsen about the quality of training being delivered by private training organisations (RTOs) across Australia.
In recent days it has been reported that the Corowa TAFE is up for sale – http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/tafe-sales/6776590 A number of callers phoned through to ABC Radio complaining about the empty TAFE classrooms and the poor quality of training that is delivered by private training organisations. Matthew was quick to correct such claims, noting that some of the best quality training that Audit Express has seen delivered is that delivered by many RTOs that are members of the Australian Council of Private Education and Training (ACPET).
In a market driven system like the Australian VET sector, the consumer – either the student or employer has a choice. They chose their training provider either a TAFE or Private RTO based on their needs. TAFEs need to engage with industry and the wider community to ensure that their training programs meet the needs of their clients if they are to see their classrooms filled.
As a tax payer it pains me to know that our hard earned tax payer dollars are going towards paying the wages of teachers that are not teaching any students, and towards paying the electricity bills of TAFEs with empty classes. We call on the Victorian and NSW Ministers to consider adopting the QLD Reform Action Plan http://the-scan.com/2013/06/11/qld-opens-tafe-assets-to-private-rtos/
which provides access to public training facilities for private providers as well as the public TAFE institutes.
Matthew Dale is the Director of Audit Express and former adviser to the Victorian Minister for Higher Education and Skills.
The uncertain future of VET funding in Australia. The Victorian VET market has grown expediently with the introduction of a fully contestable funding model in 2009. Progressively the other Australian states and territories followed, as similar funding models were introduced in South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and so on…. with partial funding models established in the ACT and NT.
Earlier this year after an election win, the South Australian Labor Government implemented major changes with almost no consultation or notice, causing a major fall out with the Federal Government and implementing changes that have caused many job losses and much damage to the private RTOs operating in South Australia.
The sector is now facing a sense of calm after the South Australian storm, not quite sure what comes next – although it seems that Victoria is next on the agenda of change with the Victorian VET Funding Review led by Bruce Mackenzie and Neil Coulson well and truly underway – with changes already on the table. [emaillocker id=6291]
It is worth mentioning that State Training Authorities have historically looked to Victoria as a leader in VET and the funding of VET in Australia – so the reach of whatever changes are made in Victoria will most likely reach wide and far.
Recently the Victorian Department of Education and Training released their ‘Review of Quality Assurance in Victoria’s VET System’; outlining 12 challenges and issues that the VET system is facing, along with 19 recommendations. The take away points from this document seem to be that the future regulation of VET funding in Victoria is likely to look at a number of quality indicators, including:
The overall quality and compliance of training providers seeking funding contracts / seeking to maintain existing funding contracts.
The suitability of owners, directors and management – are the fit & proper persons and suitable to be operating
Quality of Trainers and Assessors, are they suitably qualified and experienced to deliver the qualifications on the RTOs scope and list of funded qualifications
The overall quality of training and assessment products offered by the RTO
Establish a training provider classification system
A new provider classification system could be used to regulate
Mackenzie has also released an interim VET issues paper that provides a few hints about the focus of his review and what the likely outcomes might be. If you have not read this paper yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. The key points from the issues paper recommend that the Victorian VET System would be improved by:
Improving the training of VET teachers
Reducing the number of funded courses in the Victorian VET funding model
Funding courses based on the demands of the labour market and industry priorities
Reintroducing a compulsory or minimum student fee
Restrictions on the types of marketing activities that an RTO or TAFE can use
Implementing the Regulation or banning of brokers and aggregators
Tightly regulating subcontracting arrangements
Introduce protocols for online learning and work-based training
Encouraging training providers to specialise in specific industry training
Limit the funding of courses at Diploma level to skill shortage areas, meaning students would be required to access VET Fee Help to access funding support for many Diploma level programs
Reform the funding of Certificates I and II, due to concerns raised about the quality and learner outcomes for training that has been delivered at this level.
I suggest that you watch closely over the coming weeks and months, and that you listen to what is (and is not) said by the Victorian Minister, the Department and Mackenzie himself. The time to prepare your business for the changes that may come is now.
