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RTO experiences with ASQA from the front line-Part 2
We are continuing to share the RTO experiences from the front line with the current regulatory body of vocational education and training, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
1. Completely unjust and untrue grounds used by Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) for RTO rejection
2. No exit meeting with the RTO, no information regarding where an organisation is compliant or non-compliant, no investigation of complaint and no one to hear the injustice that happened to the RTOs.
3. Completely unprofessional behaviour from the regulatory body with contradictory statements and malicious conduct throughout
4. Allegations and unfounded claims without any truth
5. You can be either compliant or non-compliant; not compliant and then in the next submission or hearing non-compliant
6. Where is consistency in the regulatory practice?
7. ASQA and its officers indulged in completely unprofessional and unethical practices
8. ASQA auditors not following their own legislative and regulatory guidelines and requirements.
9. No clarity or setting up expectations and ever changing the goal-posts
10. Preparing and circulating completely bogus maps with highly confidential details to public and other RTOs to “destroy” Australian businesses and individuals
Do you have any information that you would like us to share? Send them to info@caqa.com.au.
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22 September, 2021
Various phases of the assessment and validation processes (Part 4)
This is Part 4 of the article, where we are discussing the different phases of the validation processes an RTO should be following to ensure they meet regulatory requirements and industry expectations. In the previous articles, we discussed the following regarding the validation of assessment resources: Explanation of assessment validation Typical benchmarks used during the […]
3 years ago
4 October, 2021
New job opportunities!
JOIN THE RECRUITMENT REVOLUTION Operations Manager (Mullumbimby, NSW) Sales Representative (Surry Hills, NSW) Compliance Manager (Wollongong, NSW) RTO Senior Office Administrator (Morayfield, QLD) Barber Trainers (Chermside, Brisbane West, Ipswich, Toowoomba) CHC Trainers (Melbourne, VIC) BSB Trainers (Melbourne, VIC) FNS Trainers (Melbourne, VIC) ICT Trainers (Melbourne, VIC) View all jobs Looking for a new opportunity? Whether […]
3 years ago
4 October, 2021
Strategies to complete the Financial Viability Risk Assessment tool
When you apply to become an RTO or your financial condition is a source of concern, or when you are in the process of a post-initial audit scenario, ASQA may require you to submit the Financial Viability Risk Assessment tool to demonstrate your financial viability. The fact that this obligation only applies in specific circumstances […]
3 years ago
4 October, 2021
What to do if you think someone is infringing on your copyright? – Margaret Ryan (lawyer and trademarks attorney)
The short answer is to speak to a lawyer. But make sure that they are the right lawyer. Copyright law (or, more generally, intellectual property law) is a specialisation. The law is complex, and your lawyer needs to be familiar with it. A copyright lawyer will guide you through the process, but it typically involves: […]
3 years ago
4 October, 2021
Validation Demystified – Part I
Validation is arguably the central pillar of the VET practice and has a valued place in the education system. It is one of the few compliance requirements that influence and is accountable for more than a dozen standards within the Standards for RTO 2015. As such, validation is the much-studied, crammed and piloted concept of […]
3 years ago
4 October, 2021
Fact Sheet: Transition and teach out
Compliance requirements and guidelines: This Fact Sheet has been developed and produced to assist Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in understanding the transition and teach out arrangements stated in Clauses 1.26 and 1.27 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. Clause 1.26 Subject to clause 1.27 and unless otherwise approved by the VET Regulator, […]
3 years ago
4 October, 2021
Mapping document of assessment resources – do you need one?
A question that has been asked over and over again is “do we need a mapping document”? We hope you will find this information relevant. A mapping document is a detailed blueprint, required for all assessment tasks. It is used by the trainer and assessor when they are mapping the assessment with training package requirements. […]
3 years ago
14 October, 2021
Interview – Matthew Dale – Director, Audit Express and Educonomy
With more than a decade experience working across the VET Sector, Matthew brings a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to Audit Express & Educonomy. Matthew has had extensive experience in managing the quality & compliance of various state funding contracts and in leading RTOs through the complex process of re-registration. Matthew’s passion is with […]
3 years ago
14 October, 2021
Interview – Andrew Shea – CEO, Builders Academy Australia
Andrew is an educational and business professional and known intrapreneur who specialises in leading high performing teams, optimising business processes and quality assurance and compliance frameworks. He is a proven transformational leader and has successfully fulfilled managerial and leadership positions across a range of industries. Areas of specialisation include: ♦ C-Suite executive across ASX and […]
3 years ago
14 October, 2021
CAQA Online forums, CAQA Info for maintaining your compliance and regulatory knowledge
CAQA Online forums provide information for RTO professionals. The purpose of the forums is to support compliance and regulatory knowledge with the help of other professionals in the field. Some of the benefits of subscribing to our online forums are that it provides access to knowledge sharing and networking opportunities among peers in the vocational […]
3 years ago
14 October, 2021
Compliance and regulatory requirements to use video evidence
Video evidence can be used to support learning in a variety of contexts. It is becoming an essential tool for trainers/assessors and RTO administrators in order to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements. The use of video evidence has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last few years. It is now being used in […]
3 years ago
1 November, 2021
Interview with Peter Doukas – Managing Director, Denison Toyer Education Lawyers
Peter owns and operates Sydney based education law firm Denison Toyer. Working in the field of Education Law and Corporate Governance since 2007 Peter has acted for over one hundred Registered Training Organisations and Higher Education Providers in various stages of the education management cycle. He routinely acts for colleges in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal […]
3 years ago
1 November, 2021
Interview with David Jepsen, Founder and Principal of RTO Accountants
With over 25 years’ experience as a practicing CA, David is the Founder and Principal of RTO Accountants. David started his career at KPMG, moving onto mid tier accounting firms and commercial roles with Citigroup, Zurich, CBA and others in Sydney and London before setting up an accounting practice in 2001. Offering commercial and practical […]
3 years ago
1 November, 2021
Should RTO consultants be regulated through a Government or professional body?
Training and education is a complex and vast subject. It is only prudent that we regulate this field to make sure that individuals who are part of it are providing advice and are doing what they claim they can do. Training and education consultants seem like a dime a dozen these days. However, with the […]
3 years ago
1 November, 2021
Fact Sheet: Validation of assessment resources
Compliance requirements and guidelines: This Fact Sheet has been developed and produced to assist Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in understanding the compliant validation practices as part of the learner resources to comply with a number of clauses of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. Clause 1.9 The RTO implements a plan for ongoing […]
3 years ago
1 November, 2021
CAQA FAQ Series – Industry consultation
What is industry consultation in the RTO context? It is a process in which the training representatives of a training organisation consult with representatives from the industry to determine whether they are using the most appropriate facilities, equipment, and resources for delivering the training, whether their trainers and assessors have the most up to date […]
3 years ago
14 December, 2021
Interview with Maciek Fibrich, Quality and Compliance Auditor
Maciek Fibrich is the Director of RTO Coaching and Consultancy Pty Ltd which provides amongst other services, coaching, mentoring and consultancy services as well as professional development and operational support to training organisations across Australia. Maciek has been working in the Vocational Training sector for 21 years and as a consultant for over 15 years […]
3 years ago
14 December, 2021
Interview with Anna-Louise Allen, Quality and Compliance Auditor
Anna-Louise Allen has been a leader in education and a catalyst for change and innovation in teaching and learning throughout her career. Anna-Louise commenced as a technical school teacher in the western suburbs teaching Geography. She had held leadership positions in schools, run the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria and worked in a variety of […]
3 years ago
14 December, 2021
Interview with John Molenaar, Quality and Compliance Auditor
John Molenaar is an education professional who started his career in teaching with positions as a primary and secondary teacher. In the late 1980s/early 1990s, he held roles in education organisation management as Executive Director of the Gould League of Victoria and the John Gardiner Centre. In the mid 1990’s John started his career in […]
3 years ago
31 January, 2022
Edu Learning – Your door to professional development opportunities
We would love to have you join our professional development retainer agreement services or individual professional development opportunities through Edu Learning. Our organisation works with the aim to help you grow your skills in a fun and interactive way. The benefits of joining our organisation are numerous, from getting tips from VET experts and industry […]
3 years ago
20 February, 2022
RTO compliance guide to buy compliant assessment resources
According to almost all ASQA reports, getting an assessment right is one of an RTO’s most difficult compliance issues, with a substantial number of RTOs, audited being found to be non-compliant with clause 1.8 (ASQA’s 2017 report showed around 72{811251a11785699196b1edfb998e8df43131d83f2e2fc9971f96b5821112af2c} RTOs failed audit on assessment resources). This is what we notice as well whenever we […]
3 years ago
24 March, 2022
Requirements to enrol learners in your courses
There are specific prerequisites that must be met prior to student enrolment or the beginning of training and assessment, whichever occurs first. In addition, the RTO should advise the prospective learner on the training product that will best meet his or her needs while taking into consideration the individual’s existing skills and competencies. So what […]
3 years ago
24 March, 2022
Transition planning and requirements
The training packages are updated on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to meet industry and regulatory requirements. Training organisations are expected to perform a significant amount of maintenance work when there is a transition to a new package. The failure to manage transition planning can have negative consequences for your training organisation, […]
3 years ago
24 March, 2022
The CEO Declaration of Compliance
Have you ever stopped to wonder why, when you return to Australia, border officials ask you “Do you have anything to declare?” There are a few reasons for this. Australia imposes taxes on goods entering the country, and in order to protect those tariffs, we restrict the things that can be imported duty-free. Australia, like […]
3 years ago
24 March, 2022
How to ensure your training organisation is compliant with government regulations
If you’re running a vocational education and training organisation in Australia, you need to ensure that your organisation is compliant with government regulations. This article will outline some of the regulations that you need to be aware of, and provide tips on how to ensure compliance. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) The Australian Skills […]
3 years ago
25 April, 2022
How ASQA assess the RTO registration renewal
ASQA is responsible for the assessment and registration of RTOs. ASQA must be satisfied that an RTO is meeting the requirements of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs 2015) for its registration to be renewed. ASQA takes a risk-management approach when they evaluate registration renewal applications. They use a structured process to assess applications […]
3 years ago
25 April, 2022
The RTO complies with all relevant Commonwealth, state, and territorial laws and regulations
Your training organisation must comply with all relevant Commonwealth, state, and territorial laws and regulations. This includes (but is not limited to): The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 The NVR Act also establishes the National Quality Framework (NQF). The NQF promotes high quality, nationally consistent training and assessment services. It does this […]
3 years ago
22 May, 2022
Compliance is not one person’s responsibility in a training organisation
In a training organisation, compliance is not just one person’s job. Compliance is the responsibility of everyone in the organisation, from the CEO down to the entry-level staff member. Sure, there may be someone whose job it is to oversee compliance related matters, but that doesn’t mean that they are the only one responsible for […]
3 years ago
22 May, 2022
Verification of trainer credentials
As an RTO business owner or manager, you understand the importance of having qualified and experienced staff. This is especially true when it comes to trainers, who play a vital role in ensuring your students are properly educated and trained. However, verifying the credentials and experience of trainers can be a time-consuming and difficult process. […]
3 years ago
22 May, 2022
Quality Management Systems for Registered Training Organisations
Registered training organisations (RTOs) operate in a highly regulated environment. To be registered, RTOs must comply with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. These Standards require RTOs to develop and implement a quality management system (QMS). A quality management system (QMS) is a formalised system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving […]
3 years ago
22 May, 2022
Top 10 common AVETMISS issues and how to resolve them
All RTOs must collect a range of data from their students and report all their delivery activity (known as Total VET activity) to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), at least annually. This data is used to improve education and training outcomes for students, industry, and the community. Below are some of the […]
3 years ago
22 May, 2022
How to become a trainer and assessor in Australia.
There is currently a high demand for qualified trainers and assessors in Australia, so if you have the relevant skills and qualifications, you should be able to find work in this field. Becoming a trainer and assessor can be a rewarding career choice, allowing you to share your knowledge and expertise with others. It can […]
3 years ago
22 May, 2022
How to become a Registered Training Organisation in Australia.
There are a number of requirements that need to be met in order to become a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Australia. These include: having a business name and ABN being a legal entity in Australia having appropriate insurance cover having a physical presence in Australia having suitably qualified staff having robust policies and procedures […]
3 years ago
12 June, 2022
How to protect the financial health of your training organisation
As a training organisation, you need to be financially healthy to survive and thrive. There are many things you can do to protect the financial health of your organisation, but here are ten of the most important: First, make sure you have a clear understanding of your costs. This includes both your fixed costs (e.g. […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
Seeking independent advice from an experienced RTO consultant
If you’re looking to set up or improve an RTO, it’s important to seek out independent advice from an experienced consultant. With so many different providers and options available, it can be hard to know who to trust. An experienced consultant will be able to help you navigate the maze of regulatory requirements, and develop […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
Continuous improvement theories and practices for a training organisation
A training organisation is always looking for ways to improve the quality of its services. Continuous improvement theories and practices can help to identify and implement improvements. The following are some theories and practices that can help a training organisation to improve continuously: Organisations need to identify the areas where they need to improve and […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
The complaint management processes for a training organisation
It is a requirement of the Standards for RTOs 2015 that all Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) have a system in place to manage complaints. This means having procedures and processes in place to handle any complaints made by learners, employees, employers, and other members of the public. The system should be accessible to all stakeholders […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
Operate from a position of compliance.
The Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) regulatory framework is dynamic. There are regular changes to standards, requirements and conditions. As a provider of training services, you need to stay up-to-date with these changes to ensure you continue to operate from a position of compliance. Here’s a breakdown of some key areas relating to compliance […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
Maintain compliance and regulatory register to record legislation change
You can be asked by the regulatory body to demonstrate how you identify legislation change, what you did to demonstrate compliance and how the information related to legislation and regulatory changes and their impact on the training organisation was communicated to the RTO stakeholders so that everyone stays up-to-date within your training organisation. SRTOs 2015 […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
The four key pillars of the strategic plan for a training organisation
As an RTO, it is important to have a strategic plan in place in order to ensure continued success. The four key pillars of a successful RTO’s strategic plan are quality, innovation, service, and growth. These pillars are essential in ensuring that the organisation can provide effective training that meets the needs of its clients. […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
A strategic plan for your training organisation
A strategic plan is a roadmap for an organisation’s journey to success. It sets out the organisation’s goals and how it intends to achieve them. A strategic plan is essential for any training organisation that wants to grow and be successful. Without a strategic plan, a training organisation is likely to flounder. Its goals will […]
2 years ago
27 June, 2022
An operational plan for your training organisation
An operational plan is a document that outlines the key components of a training organisation’s operations. It includes information on the organisation’s structure, staffing, facilities, equipment, and procedures. An operational plan is an important tool for ensuring that a training organisation runs smoothly and efficiently. A training organisation needs an operational plan in order to […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
An ASQA initiative called Pathways and Perspectives has been launched
The excellent initiatives that ASQA is taking to deliver information to the VET and RTO sectors are worthy of appreciation. They have recently begun a project called Pathways and Perspective, which is an effective technique of informing and communicating with the VET industry. The community is provided with facts, insights, and noteworthy stories on the […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
New Standards for Registered Training Organisations
In early 2023, new standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are expected to be released, which will emphasise self-assurance practices and organisational culture and practices. This is a significant change from the current standards, which focus mainly on compliance with government regulations. The new standards are designed to help RTOs create a more holistic approach […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
The administrative responsibilities of the trainers and assessors in a training organisation
Trainers or assessors in training organisations may have a variety of administrative duties. Some of these may be: Ensuring that all training and assessment materials are up to date and compliant with relevant legislation and standards Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of students’ enrolment, attendance and progress Coordinating the delivery of training programs, and ensuring […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
Annual performance reviews of your training organisation
Annual performance reviews are a key part of any training organisation’s quality improvement process. They provide an opportunity to review progress, identify areas for improvement and set goals for the coming year. Performance reviews can be used to assess an organisation’s effectiveness in delivering training, their customer service levels and the quality of their products […]
2 years ago
17 July, 2022
Setting up KPIs for your training organisation
As a training organization, one of the most important things you can do is to set up KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to track your progress. Doing so will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re providing the best possible service to your clients. What are KPIs? Key performance indicators (KPIs) are a set […]
2 years ago
