Definitions
Australian Quality Training Framework
The nationally agreed recognition arrangements for the vocational education and training sector. Australian Recognition Framework
An inter governmental agreement by the Commonwealth of Australia, States and Territories and their respective recognition agencies to enhance mutual recognition and consistency of recognition arrangements across Australia. It is a structure for quality assuring the translation of competency standards into training, the recognition of competencies attained by individuals and the registration of training organisations who issue qualifications.
Training geared to the attainment and demonstration of skills to meet industry-specified standards rather than to an individual's achievement relative to that of others in a group.
The specification of knowledge and skills and the application of that knowledge and skill to the standards of performance required in the workplace, expressed as a competency standard. Competency standards define the outcomes for training delivery, assessment and the issuance of qualifications and Statements of Attainment under the Australian Recognition Framework.
Competencies are developed nationally as an endorsed component of Training Packages or, where no relevant Training Packages exist, as the basis for defining the learning outcomes of an accredited course.
A structured sequence of vocational education and training, generally resulting in assessment against a range of specific learning outcomes and usually associated with institutional delivery. It is proposed that in future there will be less focus on course delivery and more on providing a range of flexible training pathways, leading to achievement and assessment against endorsed national competency standards.
Refers to the recognition of achievement for a defined set of competencies (for a module/ program or a course) and may either be a Statement of Attainment (part of a qualification) or a qualification.
A plan incorporating a structured series of intended learning outcomes and associated learning experiences, i.e. the objectives, structure, content, assessment and sequencing of what has to be learned, generally organised as a related combination of series of modules. Within National Training Packages curriculum or similar materials can be developed and included as part of the learning strategy component.
Learning through short, structured and targeted exercises where individuals learn through performance and investigation. Unlike action learning the tasks may not necessarily be related to the workplace but learning opportunities are structure to combine competency, cognitive and emotional aspects of an individual or team's experience in a manner that promotes learning.
A specific learning segment complete in itself, which deals with one or a number of aspects of vocational education at a given level of understanding or skill performance in accordance with stated aims and objectives. A module must be capable of being separately assessed and standing on its own or being linked to other modules in the same or related study areas. The flexibility of a modular curriculum structure makes it easier to organise learning programs to meet individual student's needs and abilities.
This encompasses recognition by each State authority, Registered Training Organisations, qualifications and training products.
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State Authority
Acceptance by a State Recognition Authority/State Training Authority of the registration decisions of another State Training Authority/State Recognition Authority enabling a Registered Training Organisation to operate within its jurisdiction on the basis of its primary registration.
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Qualifications
Acceptance by a Registered Training Organisation of the recognition decisions of other Registered Training Organisations/State Recognition Authorities relating to the issuance of qualifications and Statements of Attainment, enabling individuals to receive full recognition of their achievements, including credit transfer where appropriate.
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Training products
Acceptance of recognised training products available in the Training Market. This includes endorsed Training Packages, training programs for Training Packages and/or accredited courses.
Identifies the key components of the vocational education and training system at the national level, the relationships between those components and the quality assurance and recognition arrangements that enable individuals to gain national recognition.
This is training which occurs at a normal work situation and which is part of the productive work of an individual. The term on-job training is also used.
This is training which occurs away from an individual's normal work situation. The term, off-job training is also used.
Quality Endorsed Training Organisation (QETO)
The recognition awarded by a State Training Authority/State Recognition Authority to a Registered Training Organisation, to receive delegated powers of self-management for the scope of their registration and self-management of accreditation of own courses and customised qualifications, in accordance with the parameters set by the Australian Recognition Framework.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The recognition of skills and knowledge against course outcomes, i.e. learning outcomes. RPL also involves the recognition of competencies held against relevant competency standards. RPL is sometimes referred to as Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC).
Registered Training Organisation
Any training organisation registered in accordance with the Australian Recognition Framework providing vocational education, training and/or assessment services. Includes TAFE colleges/institutes, private commercial providers, community providers, schools, higher education institutions, enterprises and firms, industry bodies and any other organisation which meets the requirements for registration.
A process of learning where the individual takes full responsibility for diagnosing their needs, priorities, learning goals, the structuring and completion of study to meet learning needs, and follow up evaluation of the progress they have made through study.
The formal certification issued by a relevant approved body (Registered Training Organisation or State Recognition Authority), in recognition that a person has achieved some of the competencies identified for a particular qualification (within a Training Package, accredited course or customised qualification).
Comprehensive, integrated products which provide national benchmarks and resources for delivery, assessment and qualifications in vocational education and training. Training Packages comprise endorsed components of national competency standards, assessment guidelines and qualifications, combined with non-endorsed components which may include a learning strategy, assessment resources and professional development materials.
Training, education and development structured to deliver specific work related performance that closes the gap between a desired standard of performance and actual current capacity. Capacity is usually determined by that required by an organisation for employment within a specific context and job.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
ANTA Australian National Training Authority
ARF Australian Recognition Framework
AQF Australian Qualifications Framework
CBT Competency Based Training
NFROT National Framework of the Recognition of Training
NTIS National Training Information Service
NTP National Training Packages
QETO Quality Endorsed Training Organisation (alternatively QERTO as Quality Endorsed Registered Training Organisation)
RPL Recognition of Prior Learning
RTO Registered Training Organisation
TAFE Technical/ Training and Further Education