New Courses

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Can an existing course be customised to meet my needs?

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) can customise courses to meet the specific needs of their clients, including industry sectors, enterprises and individual learners. A course is customised by adding, deleting, substituting or modifying units of competency.

When customising courses, RTOs must ensure the integrity of:

• endorsed national competency standards or other standards forming the basis of accredited courses;
• Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications; 
• industry skill and portability requirements.

An RTO should consult with the course copyright owner if it is in doubt about whether the proposed customisation is outside the course rules. The RTO may be required to seek separate accreditation of the modified course.

If you decide to use/purchase an existing accredited course, check on the period of accreditation and speak to the owner about the likelihood of re-accreditation.

Can Training Packages be customised to meet my needs?

Most Training Packages are designed so that they are relevant to different organisations and are flexible enough to address various needs.

However, RTOs are able to select units of competence from or add options to Training Packages to meet the needs of businesses and individuals as long as those changes are consistent with the customisation options outlined in each Training Package. For more information about Training Packages in Western Australia contact the Department of Education and Training on (08) 9264 4636.

If you find there is a relevant training package to use or customise, make the most out of it by reading Using Training Packages - From Training Package to Learning Program and AQTF 2007 Standards for State and Territory Course Accrediting Bodies.

How do I decide whether to develop a new course for accreditation?

Course accreditation exists to address industry and community needs not already met by training packages or pre-existing courses. In light of this, you must ask yourself: Am I able to demonstrate a need for my course?

To demonstrate a need for course accreditation, you will have to show that a training gap exists - that there are no training packages or already accredited courses that can be used or customised to meet the need you have identified. To do this:

1. Determine whether already existing training packages, courses or Units of Competency can be used to meet the needs of the target group. You can research them at www.ntis.gov.au
2. Check with your Industry Training Council or the Office of TAC to see if there are relevant Units of Competence, or to find out if a new and relevant Training Package is imminent.

I've decided to develop a new course for accreditation. How do I go about it?

The Council has compiled a wealth of resources we want you to use to guide you along the way to successful accreditation. If you've decided to proceed with development:

• Download and review the Application for Course Accreditation or Course Re-accreditation. Familiarity with its requirements will guide the groundwork you do to complete it
• Contact the Office of the Training Accreditation Council to ensure you have all relevant documentation and information before you commence. The AQTF has produced a guide specifying the standards for determining what courses will be accredited. Standards 27 and 28 form the basis of guidelines being collaboratively developed by all States and Territories.

Download and use AQTF Guidelines for Course Developers - a guide to developing VET courses for accreditation under the AQTF. This document will guide you through the necessary steps of rigorously defining your target group, establishing industry and community support and undertaking actual course development.

• Decide who will do the work of developing the course. Identify the individual or team responsible for developing the course. Course development requires expertise in curriculum development, VET training and assessment and relevant vocational competencies.
  
• Convene an Advisory Panel to:
  • monitor and quality assure the development process;
  • determine and confirm the AQF level;
  • determine consistency of outcomes with AQF descriptor; and
  • confirm industry need.
    
• Consider including an employer, union representative, an employee or current student; relevant regulatory /licensing body representative; and someone with curriculum/competency based training expertise. For the above ensure records are retained of all meetings and decisions made. (Structure your meetings, appoint a chairperson, determine meeting dates and functions of the group, provide checklists and tools for them to use in validating the process and/or course.
  
• Prepare application submission to the Council
  • Complete your course application using ACC1 - Application for Course Accreditation or Course Re-accreditation
  • Confirm the adequacy of your application by using the Course Accreditation Self Assessment Checklist.
  • Assemble relevant records and documents which show your consultation and validation processes. For example: Advisory Panel, minutes/notes, other consultation, and supporting evidence.
  • Identify the AVETMISS information and include on the template:
    • ANZSIC Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classifications.
    • ASCO (type in ASCO)
    • ASCED (type in ASCED)
     
   
• Submit application documentation to the Council
  
  • Ensure all components are included:
    • completed ACC1 - Application for Course Accreditation or Course Re-accreditation; 
    • one copy of whole course documentation (you keep the original);
    • copies of supporting evidence - evidence of need, support and validation, no duplication of training packages and justification for AQF level; and
    • completed application form RTO2 - Application for Amendment to Registration  for including the newly accredited course on the RTO's scope (where the RTO is making the application).

Accreditation of Courses Application Process - Flowchart

The following flowchart summarises the above process.
Application Process Flowchart - Course Developers

When should I submit my application for accreditation or re-accreditation?

You should submit your applications for accreditation so that the Office of TAC receives it at least 3 months prior to the intended delivery date of the new course for an initial accreditation.  The Office of TAC should also receive applications for re-accreditation at least 3 months prior to the expiry date of the existing course.

Where can I get help?

There is help with the process of deciding whether to develop a course for accreditation, and with the development process.

Numerous publications are available nationally to guide an applicant through all aspects of the process.

• AQTF Standards for State and Territory Registering and Course Accrediting Bodies (ANTA) The AQTF sets forth the standards which TAC in WA (and equivalents in other states) must meet.  The requirements of Standards 27 and 28 must be addressed in each course proposed for accreditation.  The requirements are 'translated into' and represented in various templates and checklists.
• AQTF Guidelines for Course Developers (ANTA)
  This booklet provides a clear, step-by-step account of the research and development process which should be undertaken.  Follow all steps, keep relevant records, and your submission documentation should be comprehensive.
• WA Summary and Supplement to AQTF Guidelines for Course Developers
  A supplement to the AQTF Guidelines for WA Course Developers.
• The Course Accreditation Self Assessment Checklist will assist to identify sufficiency of the application.
• Australian Qualifications Framework Handbook, Third Edition, 2002. An appropriate qualification level must be justified with reference to descriptors from this Framework.
• Using Training Packages - from Training Package to Learning Program (Department of Training WA 2002)
  This provides clear and useful guidance on how to deal with a Training Package and how to respond to client needs.  Many people embark on a course writing process when more careful research of Training Packages would provide faster solutions to their client needs
• User's Guide to Course Design for Competency Based Curriculum (ACTRAC, 2nd ed.) This will provide assistance if modules rather than Units of Competence need to be developed. Be clear on which you are doing and why.
• Training Package Developer's Handbook
  Part 2 provides guidance on how to develop units of competence, their elements and performance criteria, range of variables, evidence gathering and assessment guidelines.
• Process for Training Package Development provides useful guidance of development of units of competence, consultation processes and approaches to validation.
• Training Packages can be viewed on www.ntis.gov.au
• Hardcopy training packages (where available) may be purchased from National Training Products Services www.atpl.net.au
• The Curriculum Support Services Network (CSSN) is another source of information www.vetinfonet.det.wa.edu.au
• Industry Training Councils in Western Australia (ITCs)
• Industry Training Advisory Body ( National)
• AVETMISS codes required for the application template
• ANZSIC Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classifications .
• ASCO (type in ASCO)
• ASCED (type in ASCED)