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Information for NARA registered RTOs

New Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) Guidelines

New Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) Guidelines will come into effect for all initial registration applications for RTO and CRICOS registrations on 1 January 2010. 

If you are a Victoria-based organisation preparing for registration for the first time, you should be aware that the new guidelines are in the process of being finalised and will come into effect on 1 January 2010.

The guidelines will also affect Victorian RTOs, who have their post-initial audits due after 1 January 2010. The link to the proposed guidelines is: www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/international/reg/OSVET/vetessos.htm  

User choice - Western Australia

NARA has been in contact with the Western Australian Department of Education and Training regarding user choice in Western Australia for RTOs with their registration managed by NARA. The Department has provided NARA with the following advice:

RTOs contracted to deliver training services within Western Australia should be aware that transferring your registration to NARA will result in the issuance of a new agreement. In addition, both the Department and the RTO will need to undertake a number of administrative actions to transition the reporting and payment arrangements between the existing and new agreements. For further details on the administrative actions required, please contact Mr Chris Stevens at the Department of Education and Training on (08) 9264 4162.

NARA is not aware of any similar issues affecting user choice arrangements in other jurisdictions.

NARA Logo

RTOs registered with NARA have access to the NARA Logo for use on testamurs issued by them. The NARA Logo can be obtained by email from nara@tvetaustralia.com.au

Changes to Scope

Extension of Scope

If an RTO registered with NARA wishes to add to its Scope of Registration during its registration period, it is required to submit a completed Application to Amend Scope of Registration form to NARA via its iCiX site and pay the associated fees.

An extension to scope may include the:

For information about evidence to support change to scope applications, please download the NARA Fact Sheet:

Applications for additions to scope of registration - Fact Sheet [108 kb]

Existing RTOs registered with NARA seeking re-registration or major changes to scope of registration must use a NARA-endorsed Quality Consultant in preparation for audit. The audit process follows the AQTF 2007 Audit Handbook. From March 2010, the audit process will follow the AQTF 2010 standards and guidelines.

Existing RTOs seeking to add qualifications or units of competence from Training Packages with which they already have experience will not be required to use the services of a Quality Consultant prior to audit.

NARA will assign the same Lead Auditor (with a rotational team of other auditors and technical experts) to an RTO over the period of their registration. In this way it is hoped that the Lead Auditor will gain a comprehensive understanding of the RTO’s continuous improvement processes and its development as a training organisation.

Applications for changes to scope should be submitted on the appropriate form below:

NOTE: In preparing an Application to Amend Scope of Registration, an RTO will need to ensure it can demonstrate compliance with the AQTF 2007 and any relevant guidelines or policies issued by the Registering Body in its home State or Territory for each proposed change. From March 2010, an RTO will need to demonstrate compliance with the AQTF 2010.
 

Applications to add new qualification(s) or unit(s) of competence to scope of registration - with outcomes deemed equivalent to existing qualifications or units of competence on an RTO's scope of registration - should be submitted using the appropriate form below:

Changes to delivery locations 

If an RTO wishes to make changes to delivery locations for qualifications or units of competence on its current scope of registration, the form below must be completed and uploaded to your iCiX site.

Delivery location changes [267 kb]

Please note that delivery of some qualifications in some states and/or territories involves compliance with legislative and occupational licensing requirements. RTOs can contact the relevant Industry Skills Council for information on specific qualifications.   

Reduction of Scope

During an RTO’s registration period, it may decide or be required to remove qualifications, courses or selected units of competence from its Scope of Registration.

RTOs registered with NARA that wish to reduce their Scope of Registration must advise NARA by submitting a completed Application to Amend Scope of Registration form.

Prior to seeking a reduction of scope RTOs are required to ensure that appropriate qualifications have been issued to students, and that appropriate arrangements have been made for the students to complete the qualification to be removed, or to transfer to an appropriate qualification.

Multiple Changes in Scope

RTOs may also apply for multiple changes to Scope of Registration at the same time. The Application to Amend Scope of Registration form provides for extensions to and reduction of scope.

If you are an RTO registered on CRICOS, you may lodge an integrated AQTF and CRICOS application to amend your scope.

Risk Management Strategy

NARA’s Risk Management Strategy follows the AQTF 2007 National Guideline for Risk Management. A copy of this document and further information on the risk ratings applicable to RTOs can be found at www.training.com.au/aqtf2007

NARA will adopt a risk management approach to the auditing of RTOs to determine the extent to which an RTO will be monitored and audited throughout its registration period.

In line with contemporary models of regulation, RTOs that have a lower risk rating can expect a lower level of quality assurance intervention from NARA.

NARA Privacy Plan

NARA is committed to protecting the privacy of RTO information. Please review the following document for more detailed information.

NARA's Privacy Plan

Site Audits

Depending on an RTO’s risk rating a site audit may be conducted in any of the following circumstances:

Where a new RTO is registered for the first time by NARA, a follow-up site audit will be conducted within the first twelve months of the RTO’s operation.

Sufficiency of Evidence at Audit

The AQTF 2007 does not specify how much evidence RTOs must keep for auditor scrutiny and to demonstrate their compliance with the AQTF 2007 Standards. There are clearly major challenges in the storage of hard copy documentation and other physical forms of evidence for long periods of time.

Therefore to assist RTOs wishing to transfer their registration to NARA, and to provide guidance to NARA’s auditors and endorsed Quality Consultants, NARA has developed Five Principles of Good Practice for determining Sufficiency of Evidence.

5 Principles for Sufficiency of Evidence [54kb]

Managing Non-compliance

Download a NARA Fact Sheet on Non-compliances at audit.


Print this page | last updated: 23 Feb 2010 12:41pm