The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the regulating authority that ensures national consistency, integrity and rigour across the VET sector through the implementation of the VET Quality Framework (VQF). The VQF is a legislated set of standards and requirements that all RTOs must meet. It ensures consistency in the way RTOs are registered and monitored, and how the standards are enforced. The VQF comprises the:
- Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 (Cth)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
- Fit and Proper Person Requirements 2011 (Cth)
- Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements (2011) (Cth)
- Data Provision Requirements under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Data Provision Requirements) Instrument 2020 (Cth).
Completion of a VET qualification is recognised within the AQF. The AQF is a national framework for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training ranging from senior secondary certification to doctoral degrees.
The QCAA administers VET in Queensland on behalf of ASQA. Compliance with all legislated standards and requirements of the VQF, including the Standards for RTOs, is a requirement for:
- all Australian RTOs
- applicants seeking registration as an RTO
- continued registration as an RTO to deliver nationally recognised training.
All VET programs use competency-based assessment that emphasises learning in a work environment or simulated work environment. Assessment must meet the requirements of the national training package or accredited course and be conducted by a qualified assessor from an RTO (see Section 5.4.3: Trainer and assessor). RTOs maintain and record the competencies achieved by each student. For more information about RTOs and recording information via the QCAA Portal, see Section 13.1.2: Using the QCAA Portal.
For more information about VET record retention, see Section 13.3: Retaining records and student work.
