TAE Answers: Understanding Australia’s VET System

You will notice a very apparent theme running through the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment – particularly in the first few units – is Vocational Education and Training (otherwise referred to as VET).

Understanding the structures and workings of VET is an important part of the Cert IV course.

That said, for those with no intention of training and assessing in the VET sector, while learning this material can be a little frustrating, it is best to just accept that it’s necessary. For the majority of people, working effectively in the VET sector is a key skill component.

Here is a glossary of VET acronyms and terminology which is useful to have on hand throughout this course. Don’t worry, it is certainly not expected that you learn all of these!

Vocational Education and Training is education and training for work.

The VET sector exists to develop the skills and knowledge of learners to help them gain meaningful employment, develop within or change their career. In turn, a skilled workforce provides the basis for industry and enterprise to remain viable and competitive.

A big strength of VET in Australia is that it’s industry-led. The Training Packages that courses come from are developed by industry professionals. The connection between VET and Industry is emphasised in the regulatory system too, mandating that all nationally recognised training is developed in close consultation with industry, and delivered by industry professionals.

After all, who would know better about what to teach people in retail, than the people who are going to be employing graduates?

The following video is a recording from a recent webinar about understanding the VET system.

A couple of quick notes and exceptions from the video:

• For RTOs based in and delivering training only in Victoria:
  • Their regulator is the VRQA (state government), not ASQA (federal)
  • They are regulated under the old (but similar) AQTF, not the Standards for RTOs.
• For RTOs based in and delivering training only in WA:
  • Their regulator is the TAC (state government), not ASQA (federal)
  • The WA government do use the Standards for RTOs though, unlike Vic.
    
    Follow the links above for more info if you’re Victorian or Western Aussie!

VET Quality Framework

The VET Quality Framework is just the umbrella term used to refer to all the regulatory requirements that ASQA regulates a registered training organisation. You are familiar with two already:

• the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015
• the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The other 3 things are probably less relevant to a course designer and include:

• Fit and Proper Person Requirements
• Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements
• Data Provision Requirements

Still with us?

We know it’s a bit full-on. If you’re struggling, just remember:

• Only RTOs deliver VET courses
• VET courses come from Training Packages (and sometimes Accredited Courses)
• The system is mostly regulated by ASQA (except in Vic and WA)