Total VET Activity (TVA)

Collecting and reporting data on all nationally recognised training will be mandatory from 1 January 2014. The new, comprehensive data set will be used to provide information for the My Skills website, assist in policy planning, direct funding to meet training priorities, administer entitlement schemes and enable the creation of training transcripts for students.

For RTOs registered with TAC, TVA data collection does not replace existing reporting requirements which include Quality Indicator Data and Client Qualification Register (CQR) Data. RTOs will need to submit these reports to TAC as normal.

TVA is made up of two parts - collection of AVETMISS compliant data and implementation of the Unique Student Identifier scheme.

VET Activity Reporting

From 1 January 2014, an RTO must implement policies and procedures to collect full AVETMISS data from their clients. From 1 January 2015, an RTO must submit AVETMISS compliant data on all nationally recognised training where the RTO is responsible for issuing a statement of attainment or qualification.

A small grant of $1000 will also be provided to newly reporting RTOs to assist with expenses incurred in preparing their business to meet the new reporting requirements. Further information on the grant is available here.

For RTOs that consider that their organisation may not be able to collect the required information from 1 January 2014 for submission in early 2015, RTOs can apply to TAC for a number of exemptions. The criteria for the exemptions are available in the National VET Provider Collection Data Requirements Policy.

Exemptions to the VET data collection reporting are to be made to TAC via the following applications.  An exemption does not apply until a written confirmation is provided to your RTO from TAC. Closing date for all applications is 31 October 2013.

1.    12 Month Transition Arrangement Application

2.    National Security, Border Protection & Policing Issues Application

3.    Vital Community Services Application

4.    Enterprise RTO Application

5.    Short Units or Modules Application

Further information on the transitional arrangements is available here.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

From 1 January 2014, all new and continuing students undertaking nationally recognised VET courses will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to receive their statement of attainment or qualification. The USI will enable students to obtain a comprehensive and authoritative transcript of their VET achievements online.  Further information on the implementation of the USI is available here.

Further information on Total VET Activity is available from www.innovation.gov.au and the Department of Training and Workforce Development.

Changes to AQTF Standards

An amendment has been made to Condition 6 of the existing Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Standards to reflect requirements under Total VET Activity. For further details, please view the National Skills Standards Council website.

New Council Member

Ms Debra Goostrey has been appointed by the Minister as a member of the Training Accreditation Council from 1 July 2013.

Ms Goostrey has significant experience in the education and training sector in WA and has held a number of senior roles including Executive Officer, Transport and Storage Industry Training Council and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Transport Forum.  As the CEO for Transport Forum she had responsibility for the management of an RTO, extensive industry specific licencing training, and represented the heavy vehicle industry at state and national levels. Ms Goostrey is currently the CEO for the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA Division), the peak body for the development industry.

OTHER NEWS

Wallet-sized Statements of Attainment

RTOs can issue statements of attainment on wallet-sized cards as long as the statements of attainment meet the requirements specified in the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy and the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) Policy: Application of the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy.

The RTO also needs to ensure that the TAC logo and NRT logo are not distorted and that information on the card can be clearly read.

2013 Schedule of Fees

Fees for RTOs increased as of 1 July 2013. The method of calculation of fees, including Annual Fees, is now primarily based on the number of qualifications offered by an RTO. Providers are encouraged to review their current scope of delivery to avoid paying fees for qualifications that have been superseded or that the RTO no longer wishes to deliver. If you wish to remove qualifications from your scope, please submit an amendment to scope application via RTONet.

The TAC Schedule of Fees of Fees is available on the TAC Website.

Determination for Trainer and Assessor Competencies

At the 17 June 2013 meeting, the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) endorsed an amendment to the Determination for Training and Assessment Competencies to be held by Trainers and Assessors to reflect changes made to the TAE10 Training and Education Training Package.  This determination specifies, in line with the AQTF Standard 1.4, the minimum qualification or competencies that must be held by trainers, people delivering training under supervision and assessors in the VET Sector.  The new determination is effective as of 1 July 2013 and is available from the NSSC website.

Reporting Requirements for RTOs Registered with TAC 

It is a requirement of registration with TAC that RTOs comply with mandatory reporting requirements. These reporting requirements include Quality Indicator Data and Client Qualification Register (CQR) Data. RTOs that have not submitted data by the required due date are not demonstrating compliance with the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration and penalties may apply.

Competency Completion (CCOS) reports and Learner and Employer Survey data for the 2012 calendar year are now overdue, and Client Qualification Register (CQR) data for the January - June 2013 reporting period falls due 31 July 2013. For further information, due dates and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the 'RTO Reporting Requirements' flyer available on the TAC website.