Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00444:body:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00444
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 17123–20310

maintains the integrity of AQF qualifications. This is achieved through ensuring that decision making about accreditation is robust and fair and that course accreditation assessors meet national competency requirements.

The accreditation of courses needs to comply with the national Standards for VET Accredited Courses; and development processes must involve consultation with industry stakeholders where they are relevant to industry regulation and occupational licensing.

To be compliant with Standard 2 the VET Regulator must meet the following:

     2.1.  The VET Regulator only accredits courses that comply with the Standards for VET Accredited Courses.
     2.2.  The VET Regulator:
       a)      provides advice to training package developing bodies on gaps in training packages identified as a result of its course accreditation activities; and
       b)      accredits courses that have been designed to meet a licensed or regulated outcome only if the accreditation application is supported by the relevant industry regulator/s.
     2.3    The VET Regulator ensures that its course accreditation assessors:

       a)      exercise their judgment in a manner which maximises consistent interpretation of the Standards for VET Accredited Courses, and the consistency of their assessment practice and outcomes; and
       b)      from 1 January 2016, meet the national competency requirements for course accreditation assessors specified in Schedule 1.

     2.4.  The VET Regulator makes decisions about accreditation that are consistent with the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.
     2.5.  The VET Regulator provides general education and guidance materials to course owners to assist them to comply with the Standards for VET Accredited Courses.

         Standard 3.        The VET Regulator communicates effectively and implements a transparent complaints process to enhance regulatory practices and outcomes.
Context:

Transparent regulation, based on communication and advice to RTOs and other VET stakeholders, will not only improve understanding of expectations and regulatory decisions, but will also establish an environment of review and improvement in RTO training and assessment and compliance with the Standards for RTOs.

Stakeholders need to be able to pass on reports of non-compliance to a VET Regulator in confidence and be assured that their report will be used to drive better compliance. Where their report includes a matter where the VET Regulator is specifically empowered to remedy a problem for them, they can expect prompt action and are entitled to feedback on the results of that action.

VET stakeholders and VET Regulators benefit from robust mechanisms to allow stakeholders to complain about a VET Regulator's regulatory practices. Stakeholders can expect their complaint to be addressed promptly and to be informed of the results.

To be compliant with Standard 3 the VET Regulator must meet the following:

     3.1.  The VET Regulator establishes and maintains effective communication arrangements with other VET Regulators and relevant VET stakeholders.
     3.2.  The VET Regulator communicates clear and