Australian Centre for Advanced Studies

Standard 1. The RTO’s training and assessment strategies and practices are responsive to industry and learner needs and meet the requirements of training packages and VET accredited courses

Standard ACAS compliance

1.1. The RTO’s training and assessment strategies and practices, including the amount of training they provide, are consistent with the requirements of training packages and VET accredited courses and enable each learner to meet the requirements for each unit of competency or module in which they are enrolled. "Amount of training": See ACAS Training and Assessment Strategies (TAS) "Amount of training."
"Consistent with the requirements of training packages ..." See mapping notes in list of required documents.

1.2. For the purposes of Clause 1.1, the RTO determines the amount of training they provide to each learner with regard to:
a) the existing skills, knowledge and the experience of the learner;
b) the mode of delivery; and
c) where a full qualification is not being delivered, the number of units and/or modules being delivered as a proportion of the full qualification. ACAS training and assessment strategies include amount of training, and a rationale for the amount of training. See "Amount of training" section in TAS

1.3. The RTO has, for all of its scope of registration, and consistent with its training and assessment strategies, sufficient:

a) trainers and assessors to deliver the training and assessment; ACAS's appproval of the TAS indicates that ACAS considers the program has sufficient trainers. See criteria for assessing sufficiency in course procedure.

b) educational and support services to meet the needs of the learner cohort/s undertaking the training and assessment; The default extra support in ACAS is extra coaching by the instructor, although the site might make other support available, or refer outside. See Handbook for instructors and assessors.

c) learning resources to enable learners to meet the requirements for each unit of competency, and which are accessible to the learner regardless of location or mode of delivery; and ACAS's appproval of the TAS indicates that ACAS considers the program has sufficient learning resources. See required documents

d) facilities, whether physical or virtual, and equipment to accommodate and support the number of learners undertaking the training and assessment. The internal audit normally includes an onsite inspection of facilities. See Compliance system. See also equipment list in required documents.

1.4. The RTO meets all requirements specified in the relevant training package or VET accredited course. This includes mapping and equipment that is listed as required in the unit. See required documents.

Industry relevance

Standard ACAS compliance

1.5. The RTO’s training and assessment practices are relevant to the needs of industry and informed by industry engagement. See industry consutlation section of the TAS

1.6. The RTO implements a range of strategies for industry engagement and See industry consutlation section of the TAS

systematically uses the outcome of that industry engagement to ensure the industry relevance of: See industry consutlation section of the TAS

a) its training and assessment strategies, practices and resources; and See industry consutlation section of the TAS

b) the current industry skills of its trainers and assessors. See industry consutlation section of the TAS

Learner support

Standard ACAS compliance

1.7. The RTO determines the support needs of individual learners and provides access to the educational and support services necessary for the individual learner to meet the requirements of the training product as specified in training packages or VET accredited courses. See ACAS admissions procedure
Implementation methods vary greatly between sites and are documented in internal audits.

Assessment

Standard ACAS compliance

1.8. The RTO implements an assessment system that ensures that assessment (including recognition of prior learning):
a) complies with the assessment requirements of the relevant training package or VET accredited course; and
b) is conducted in accordance with the Principles of Assessment contained in Table 1.8-1 and the Rules of Evidence contained in Table 1.8-2. See validation records
See also requirement re RPL tools in document list. (Link opens new window.)
The default system in ACAS for establishing reliability is the use of multiple assessors. See Assessment instructions and ASQA email re same.

1.9. The RTO implements a plan for ongoing systematic validation of assessment practices and judgements that includes for each training product on the RTO’s scope of registration:
a) when assessment validation will occur;
b) which training products will be the focus of the validation;
c) who will lead and participate in validation activities; and
d) how the outcomes of these activities will be documented and acted upon. ACAS has a policy to do them annually:
• ACAS validates assessment tools if they are new or changed.
• ACAS validates assessment judgements every year, unless no assessments were done in a course.
See validation statement in compliance system. (Link opens new window.)

1.10. For the purposes of Clause 1.9, each training product is validated at least once every five years, with at least 50% of products validated within the first three years of each five year cycle, taking into account the relative risks of all of the training products on the RTO’s scope of registration, including those risks identified by the VET Regulator. ACAS validates assessment tools every year. This should be only a check if not changed.
ACAS validates assessment judgements every year, unless no assessments were done in a course.

1.11. For the purposes of Clause 1.9, systematic validation of an RTO’s assessment practices and judgements is undertaken by one or more persons who are not directly involved in the particular instance of delivery and assessment of the training product being validated, and who collectively have:

a) on or prior to 31 March 2019:
(i) vocational competencies and current industry skills relevant to the assessment being validated;
(ii) current knowledge and skills in vocational teaching and learning; and
(iii) the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1, or Item 2, or Item 4, or Item 5 of Schedule 1. No longer applicable

b) on or after 1 April 2019:
(i) vocational competencies and current industry skills relevant to the assessment being validated;
(ii) current knowledge and skills in vocational teaching and learning; and
(iii) the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2 or Item 5 of Schedule 1.
Industry experts may be involved in validation to ensure there is the combination of expertise set out in a) or b) above. See list at beginning of ACAS validation forms

1.12. The RTO offers recognition of prior learning to individual learners. See Student Handbook, Chapter 5

Trainers and assessors

Standard ACAS compliance

1.13. In addition to the requirements specified in Clause 1.14 and Clause 1.15, the RTO’s training and assessment is delivered only by persons who have:
a) vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed;
b) current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided; and
c) current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment.
Industry experts may also be involved in the assessment judgement, working alongside the trainer and/or assessor to conduct the assessment. See See documentation for "Staff expertise"

1.14. The RTO’s training and assessment:
a) if delivered on or prior to 31 March 2019, is delivered only by persons who have the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1 or Item 2 or Item 3 of Schedule 1. No longer applicable

b) if delivered on or after 1 April 2019, is delivered only by persons who have the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2 or Item 3 of Schedule 1. See See documentation for "Staff expertise"

1.15. Where a person conducts assessments only, the RTO ensures that:
a) on or prior to 31 March 2019, the person has the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1, or Item 2, or Item 3, or Item 4, or Item 5 of Schedule 1; or
b) on or after 1 April 2019, the person has the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2, or Item 3, or Item 5 of Schedule 1. N/a. No known cases in ACAS

1.16. The RTO ensures that all trainers and assessors undertake professional development in the fields of the knowledge and practice of vocational training, learning and assessment including competency based training and assessment. See documentation for "Staff expertise"

Individuals working under the supervision of a trainer

Standard ACAS compliance

1.17. Where the RTO, in delivering training and assessment, engages an individual who is not a trainer or assessor, the individual works under the supervision of a trainer and does not determine assessment outcomes. N/a. No known cases in ACAS. However, ACAS has a policy.
See Policy

1.18. The RTO ensures that any individual working under the supervision of a trainer under Clause 1.17:
a) holds the training and assessment credential specified in Item 6 of Schedule 1.
b) has vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed; and
c) has current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. N/a. No known cases in ACAS

1.19. Where the RTO engages an individual under Clause 1.17, it ensures that the training and assessment complies with Standard 1. N/a. No known cases in ACAS

1.20. Without limiting Clauses 1.17 - 1.19, the RTO:
a) determines and puts in place:
i) the level of the supervision required; and
ii) any requirements, conditions or restrictions considered necessary on the individual’s involvement in the provision of training and collection of assessment evidence; and
b) ensures that trainers providing supervision monitor and are accountable for all training provision and collection of assessment evidence by the individual under their supervision. N/a. No known cases presently in ACAS, but see policy Handbook for training and assessing under supervision (Link opens new window)

Delivery of the training and assessment qualifications for trainers and assessors

Standard ACAS compliance

1.21. Deleted.

1.22. To deliver any AQF qualification or skill set from the Training and Education Training Package (or its successor) the RTO must ensure all trainers and assessors delivering the training and assessment hold the training and assessment qualification at least to the level being delivered.
N/a (Refers only to TAE quals)

1.23. To deliver the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1 or Item 2 of Schedule 1, or any assessor skill set from the Training and Education Training Package (or its successor), the RTO must ensure all trainers and assessors delivering the training and assessment:
a) hold the training and assessment credential specified in Item 7 of Schedule 1; or
b) work under the supervision of a trainer that meets the requirement set out in a) above. N/a (Refers only to TAE quals)

1.24. The RTO must ensure that any person working under supervision for the purposes of Standard 1.23 b):
a) does not determine assessment outcomes; and
b) holds the following:
(i) on or prior to 31 March 2019, the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1 or Item 2 of Schedule 1; or
(ii) on or after 1 April 2019, the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2 of Schedule 1. N/a (Refers only to TAE quals)

Independent validation of training and assessment qualifications

Standard ACAS compliance

1.25. to deliver any AQF qualification or assessor skill set from the Training and Education Training Package (or its successor), the RTO must have undergone an independent validation of its assessment system, tools, processes and outcomes in accordance with the requirements contained in Schedule 2 (and the definitions of independent validation and validation). N/a (Refers only to TAE quals)

Transition of training products

Standard ACAS compliance

1.26. Subject to Clause 1.27 and unless otherwise approved by the VET Regulator, the RTO ensures that:
a) where a training product on its scope of registration is superseded, all learners’ training and assessment is completed and the relevant AQF certification documentation is issued or learners are transferred into its replacement, within a period of one year from the date the replacement training product was released on the National Register;
b) where an AQF qualification is no longer current and has not been superseded, all learners’ training and assessment is completed and the relevant AQF certification documentation issued within a period of two years from the date the AQF qualification was removed or deleted from the National Register;
c) where a skill set, unit of competency, accredited short course or module is no longer current and has not been superseded, all learners’ training and assessment is completed and the relevant AQF certification documentation issued within a period of one year from the date the skill set, unit of competency, accredited short course or module was removed or deleted from the National Register; and
d) a new learner does not commence training and assessment in a training product that has been removed or deleted from the National Register. See the qualifications packaging section of the Training and Assessment Strategy (TAS) form, titled Qualification. ACAS checks them and TAS approval indicates that the correct version is being used.

1.27. The requirements specified in Clause 1.26 (a) do not apply where a training package requires the delivery of a superseded unit of competency. N/a

Table 1.8-1: Principles of Assessment

Fairness

The individual learner’s needs are considered in the assessment process.

Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments are applied by the RTO to take into account the individual learner’s needs.

The RTO informs the learner about the assessment process, and provides the learner with the opportunity to challenge the result of the assessment and be reassessed if necessary.

Flexibility

Assessment is flexible to the individual learner by:

reflecting the learner’s needs;

assessing competencies held by the learner no matter how or where they have been acquired; and

drawing from a range of assessment methods and using those that are appropriate to the context, the unit of competency and associated assessment requirements, and the individual.

Validity

Any assessment decision of the RTO is justified, based on the evidence of performance of the individual learner.

Validity requires:

assessment against the unit/s of competency and the associated assessment requirements covers the broad range of skills and knowledge that are essential to competent performance;

assessment of knowledge and skills is integrated with their practical application;

assessment to be based on evidence that demonstrates that a learner could demonstrate these skills and knowledge in other similar situations; and

judgement of competence is based on evidence of learner performance that is aligned to the unit/s of competency and associated assessment requirements.

Reliability

Evidence presented for assessment is consistently interpreted and assessment results are comparable irrespective of the assessor conducting the assessment.

Validity

The assessor is assured that the learner has the skills, knowledge and attributes as described in the module or unit of competency and associated assessment requirements.

Sufficiency

The assessor is assured that the quality, quantity and relevance of the assessment evidence enables a judgement to be made of a learner’s competency.

Authenticity

The assessor is assured that the evidence presented for assessment is the learner’s own work.

Currency

The assessor is assured that the assessment evidence demonstrates current competency. This requires the assessment evidence to be from the present or the very recent past.

Standard	ACAS compliance
1.1. The RTO’s training and assessment strategies and practices, including the amount of training they provide, are consistent with the requirements of training packages and VET accredited courses and enable each learner to meet the requirements for each unit of competency or module in which they are enrolled.	"Amount of training": See ACAS Training and Assessment Strategies (TAS) "Amount of training." "Consistent with the requirements of training packages ..." See mapping notes in list of required documents.
1.2. For the purposes of Clause 1.1, the RTO determines the amount of training they provide to each learner with regard to: a) the existing skills, knowledge and the experience of the learner; b) the mode of delivery; and c) where a full qualification is not being delivered, the number of units and/or modules being delivered as a proportion of the full qualification.	ACAS training and assessment strategies include amount of training, and a rationale for the amount of training. See "Amount of training" section in TAS
1.3. The RTO has, for all of its scope of registration, and consistent with its training and assessment strategies, sufficient:
a) trainers and assessors to deliver the training and assessment;	ACAS's appproval of the TAS indicates that ACAS considers the program has sufficient trainers. See criteria for assessing sufficiency in course procedure.
b) educational and support services to meet the needs of the learner cohort/s undertaking the training and assessment;	The default extra support in ACAS is extra coaching by the instructor, although the site might make other support available, or refer outside. See Handbook for instructors and assessors.
c) learning resources to enable learners to meet the requirements for each unit of competency, and which are accessible to the learner regardless of location or mode of delivery; and	ACAS's appproval of the TAS indicates that ACAS considers the program has sufficient learning resources. See required documents
d) facilities, whether physical or virtual, and equipment to accommodate and support the number of learners undertaking the training and assessment.	The internal audit normally includes an onsite inspection of facilities. See Compliance system. See also equipment list in required documents.
1.4. The RTO meets all requirements specified in the relevant training package or VET accredited course.	This includes mapping and equipment that is listed as required in the unit. See required documents.

Standard	ACAS compliance
1.5. The RTO’s training and assessment practices are relevant to the needs of industry and informed by industry engagement.	See industry consutlation section of the TAS
1.6. The RTO implements a range of strategies for industry engagement and	See industry consutlation section of the TAS
systematically uses the outcome of that industry engagement to ensure the industry relevance of:	See industry consutlation section of the TAS
a) its training and assessment strategies, practices and resources; and	See industry consutlation section of the TAS
b) the current industry skills of its trainers and assessors.	See industry consutlation section of the TAS

Standard	ACAS compliance
1.8. The RTO implements an assessment system that ensures that assessment (including recognition of prior learning): a) complies with the assessment requirements of the relevant training package or VET accredited course; and b) is conducted in accordance with the Principles of Assessment contained in Table 1.8-1 and the Rules of Evidence contained in Table 1.8-2.	See validation records See also requirement re RPL tools in document list. (Link opens new window.) The default system in ACAS for establishing reliability is the use of multiple assessors. See Assessment instructions and ASQA email re same.
1.9. The RTO implements a plan for ongoing systematic validation of assessment practices and judgements that includes for each training product on the RTO’s scope of registration: a) when assessment validation will occur; b) which training products will be the focus of the validation; c) who will lead and participate in validation activities; and d) how the outcomes of these activities will be documented and acted upon.	ACAS has a policy to do them annually: • ACAS validates assessment tools if they are new or changed. • ACAS validates assessment judgements every year, unless no assessments were done in a course. See validation statement in compliance system. (Link opens new window.)
1.10. For the purposes of Clause 1.9, each training product is validated at least once every five years, with at least 50% of products validated within the first three years of each five year cycle, taking into account the relative risks of all of the training products on the RTO’s scope of registration, including those risks identified by the VET Regulator.	ACAS validates assessment tools every year. This should be only a check if not changed. ACAS validates assessment judgements every year, unless no assessments were done in a course.
1.11. For the purposes of Clause 1.9, systematic validation of an RTO’s assessment practices and judgements is undertaken by one or more persons who are not directly involved in the particular instance of delivery and assessment of the training product being validated, and who collectively have:
a) on or prior to 31 March 2019: (i) vocational competencies and current industry skills relevant to the assessment being validated; (ii) current knowledge and skills in vocational teaching and learning; and (iii) the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1, or Item 2, or Item 4, or Item 5 of Schedule 1.	No longer applicable
b) on or after 1 April 2019: (i) vocational competencies and current industry skills relevant to the assessment being validated; (ii) current knowledge and skills in vocational teaching and learning; and (iii) the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2 or Item 5 of Schedule 1. Industry experts may be involved in validation to ensure there is the combination of expertise set out in a) or b) above.	See list at beginning of ACAS validation forms
1.12. The RTO offers recognition of prior learning to individual learners.	See Student Handbook, Chapter 5

Standard	ACAS compliance
1.13. In addition to the requirements specified in Clause 1.14 and Clause 1.15, the RTO’s training and assessment is delivered only by persons who have: a) vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed; b) current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided; and c) current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment. Industry experts may also be involved in the assessment judgement, working alongside the trainer and/or assessor to conduct the assessment.	See See documentation for "Staff expertise"
1.14. The RTO’s training and assessment: a) if delivered on or prior to 31 March 2019, is delivered only by persons who have the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1 or Item 2 or Item 3 of Schedule 1.	No longer applicable
b) if delivered on or after 1 April 2019, is delivered only by persons who have the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2 or Item 3 of Schedule 1.	See See documentation for "Staff expertise"
1.15. Where a person conducts assessments only, the RTO ensures that: a) on or prior to 31 March 2019, the person has the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1, or Item 2, or Item 3, or Item 4, or Item 5 of Schedule 1; or b) on or after 1 April 2019, the person has the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2, or Item 3, or Item 5 of Schedule 1.	N/a. No known cases in ACAS
1.16. The RTO ensures that all trainers and assessors undertake professional development in the fields of the knowledge and practice of vocational training, learning and assessment including competency based training and assessment.	See documentation for "Staff expertise"

Standard	ACAS compliance
1.17. Where the RTO, in delivering training and assessment, engages an individual who is not a trainer or assessor, the individual works under the supervision of a trainer and does not determine assessment outcomes.	N/a. No known cases in ACAS. However, ACAS has a policy. See Policy
1.18. The RTO ensures that any individual working under the supervision of a trainer under Clause 1.17: a) holds the training and assessment credential specified in Item 6 of Schedule 1. b) has vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed; and c) has current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided.	N/a. No known cases in ACAS
1.19. Where the RTO engages an individual under Clause 1.17, it ensures that the training and assessment complies with Standard 1.	N/a. No known cases in ACAS
1.20. Without limiting Clauses 1.17 - 1.19, the RTO: a) determines and puts in place: i) the level of the supervision required; and ii) any requirements, conditions or restrictions considered necessary on the individual’s involvement in the provision of training and collection of assessment evidence; and b) ensures that trainers providing supervision monitor and are accountable for all training provision and collection of assessment evidence by the individual under their supervision.	N/a. No known cases presently in ACAS, but see policy Handbook for training and assessing under supervision (Link opens new window)

Standard	ACAS compliance
1.21. Deleted.
1.22. To deliver any AQF qualification or skill set from the Training and Education Training Package (or its successor) the RTO must ensure all trainers and assessors delivering the training and assessment hold the training and assessment qualification at least to the level being delivered.	N/a (Refers only to TAE quals)
1.23. To deliver the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1 or Item 2 of Schedule 1, or any assessor skill set from the Training and Education Training Package (or its successor), the RTO must ensure all trainers and assessors delivering the training and assessment: a) hold the training and assessment credential specified in Item 7 of Schedule 1; or b) work under the supervision of a trainer that meets the requirement set out in a) above.	N/a (Refers only to TAE quals)
1.24. The RTO must ensure that any person working under supervision for the purposes of Standard 1.23 b): a) does not determine assessment outcomes; and b) holds the following: (i) on or prior to 31 March 2019, the training and assessment credential specified in Item 1 or Item 2 of Schedule 1; or (ii) on or after 1 April 2019, the training and assessment credential specified in Item 2 of Schedule 1.	N/a (Refers only to TAE quals)