Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) - Australia

Source: Australian National Training Authority (ANTA)

The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) comprises two sets of nationally agreed standards to ensure the quality of vocational education and training services throughout Australia.

States and territories apply the Standards for Registered Training Organisations under the AQTF when:

• registering organisations to deliver training, assess competency and issue Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications
• auditing registered training organisations (RTOs) to ensure they meet (and continue to meet) the requirements of the AQTF
• applying mutual recognition and
• accrediting courses.

The AQTF ensures that all RTOs and the qualifications they issue are recognised throughout Australia. The AQTF includes two sets of standards:

The Standards for Registered Training Organisations under the AQTF requires RTOs to:

• have documented systems for quality training and assessment
• conduct an internal audit at least annually
• have documented agreements with other organisations when they provide training or assessment in partnership
• have written procedures for recruitment, induction and professional development of staff
• use trainers and assessors with specified competencies
• follow explicit requirements for quality assurance in assessment
• have a recognition of prior learning process in place and offer to recognise the prior learning of all learners on enrolment
• follow specific requirements for developing, validating and implementing learning and assessment strategies.

The Standards for State and Territory Registering/Course Accrediting Bodies under the AQTF provide for nationally consistent auditor standards, audit practices and process and cover:

• confidentiality
• the qualifications, selection and monitoring of auditors and technical experts
• appeals, complaints, disputes and sanctions
• applications for renewal of registration
• posting information on the National Training Information Service (NTIS)
• recognition of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and statements of attainment
• course accreditation processes (including the process for establishing the need for courses, as detailed in the publication Guidelines for Course Developers).

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