Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Person who:

1. is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
2. identifies as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin and
3. is accepted as such by the community with which the person associates.

Note: This term is interchangeable with Indigenous Australian.

ACT AVETMISS

See AVETMISS. The ACT mandates additional compliance obligations related to AVETMISS outlined at AVETMISS reporting.

ACT employer

Employer with a physical workplace address in the ACT. The workplace address must be a physical address in the ACT, not a PO Box

ACT Funding Agreement (ACTFA)

Contractual arrangement between the ACT Government and RTOs for the delivery of ACT Government training initiatives. RTOs must hold an approved ACTFA prior to applying for, and throughout the delivery of, training and/or other services under training initiatives in the ACT.

ACT Government training initiative

Any training initiative which is funded by the ACT Government, whether in whole or in part. Training initiatives may target specific student groups, such as equity groups and/or specific skills and qualifications. Specific contractual provisions apply for each initiative.

ACT Qualifications Register

A register containing information about qualifications available through ACT Government training initiatives, including approved RTOs.

ACT Skills Needs List

Identifies the ACT priorities for VET in the ACT at a qualification level. The list will allow targeted funding of training for the development of a productive and highly skilled workforce to contribute to the ACT’s economic future.

ACT Standards for Delivery of Training (known as ACT Standards)

Schedule to the ACTFA. Mandatory standards for RTO management and delivery of training in the ACT.

ACT Standards Compliance Guides

Schedules to the ACTFA which, for each training initiative:

1. provide direction to RTOs on how to interpret and comply with ACT Standards, and
2. include additional mandatory requirements, and
3. outline administrative arrangements.

Additional Support

Individual support provided to a student to undertake and/or complete a training course or qualification under an ACT Government training initiative. This could include interpreter services, specialised LLN tuition, mentoring, counselling, and note-taking. RTOs may identify that a student requires additional support at the time of enrolment, during the initial skills assessment, or anytime during the delivery of training.

Alternative Training Program

A year 10 or year 12 equivalent program outside of a mainstream/ traditional secondary school or college context. The approved alternative programs are delivered by CIT or CCCares.

Apprentice

Person contracted to an employer through an Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract who is undergoing training for a recognised trade occupation.

Apprenticeship Network Provider (ANP)

Approved by the Commonwealth to deliver Australian Apprenticeship services in the ACT, including providing advice and support services tailored to the needs of employers and apprentices throughout the apprenticeship lifecycle – from pre-commencement to completion – through:

Universal services for all employers and Australian Apprentices providing contract signup and administration, marketing, information and advice, and

Targeted services (gateway and in-training support) for employers and individuals assessed as needing additional support to complete the Australian Apprenticeship.

Approval Statement

Formal written statement issued by the Director-General (or delegate) of the Education Directorate permitting a young person to engage in specific employment or training for a defined period. An Approval Statement applies to students under 17 years-of-age who, after completing Year 10, wish to leave school and seek employment or work-related training. If these students enter into an Australian Apprenticeship, the training contract approval acts in lieu of an Approval Statement application. Further information is available on the Policies and Publications page on the Education Directorate website.

Assessment (Competency)

Process of collecting evidence and making judgements on whether competency has been achieved, to confirm that an individual can perform to the standard required in the workplace, as specified in a training package VET accredited course (Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Assessment (Initial Skills)

Includes:

1. an individual assessment per student of:
   1. LLN and additional support needs
   2. the qualification level to determine its appropriateness
2. an offer of RPL and explanation of credit transfer obligations.

Assessment (LLN)

Process of collecting evidence and determining the student’s language, literacy and numeracy skills. The assessment must:

1. be in the form of an interview, test or activities
2. customised to the competencies required in the qualification
3. consider documented evidence of the student’s history (i.e. prior education, work history, impairments, disabilities)
4. identify the ACSF level of the student.

Assessment item (completed)

Actual piece/s of work completed by a student or evidence of that work, including evidence collected for an RPL process.

Assessment Tools

Tools that include the following components: context and conditions of assessment, tasks to be completed by the student, an outline of the evidence to be gathered from the candidate and evidence criteria used to judge the quality of performance (i.e. the assessment decision-making rules). This term also takes in the administration, recording and reporting requirements and may address a cluster of competencies as applicable for holistic assessment.

Audit Sanctions Matrix

The Directorate’s methodology for assessing the level of non-compliance of RTOs with ACT Standards and for determining a sanctioning amount based on assessed risk of non-compliance identified. The matrix may be updated and reissued to clarify requirements or assessment and calculation process as required.

Australian Apprentice

Term used to describe both apprentices and trainees, who have entered into an Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract.

Australian Apprenticeship

1. Combination of practical work on-the-job, with structured training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification under an Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract. More information is available at the Australian Apprenticeships website.
2. Involves a student and employer.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (the Apprenticeship Network)

Replaced Australian Apprenticeship Centres nationally on 1 July 2015.

Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract

Legally binding agreement between an Australian Apprentice and an employer which defines the rights and responsibilities of each party. These include:

Also referred to as a training contract.

1. the employer guaranteeing to train the Australian Apprentice in the agreed occupation or training area and to allow time off work to attend any required off-the-job training and
2. the Australian Apprentice agreeing to learn all aspects of the occupation or training area and to work for the employer for a specified period.

Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)

A tool designed to describe an individual’s performance in the five core skills of learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy across five levels of performance ranging from 1 (low level) to 5 (high level).

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The framework for regulated qualifications in the Australian education and training system as agreed by the Commonwealth, State and Territory ministerial council with responsibility for higher education (Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Australian schoolbased Apprenticeship (ASBA)

Part of the national Australian Apprenticeship system. It provides school students with the opportunity to combine practical paid work with structured training as part of their education program to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

National regulator for Australia’s VET sector.

AVETARS

ACT Vocational Education and Training Administration Records System (AVETARS) is the system for managing the administration of ACT Government training initiatives. AVETARS includes RTO, student, employer, ANPs and school portals.

AVETMISS

Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) is the agreed national data standard for the collection, analysis and reporting of VET information in Australia. See also ACT AVETMISS.

AVETMISS Compliant Student Management System

AVETPAK

NCVER AVETMISS validation software.

Cancellation date (Australian Apprenticeships)

The last day the AA was employed as an Australian Apprentice. This is identified as the ‘Actual End Date’ on AVETARS.

Cancellation date (Skilled Capital)

The date:

• the student advised the RTO or the Directorate that they have withdrawn from the qualification, or
• of the RTO’s decision to cancel the student’s enrolment in the qualification for reasons such as lack of attendance or inability to contact the student after a number of attempts.

Commencement Date of Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract

Date an Australian Apprentice commences an Australian Apprenticeship.

Commencement of Training

Participation in a minimum of one unit of competency. See Participation.

Completion (Training Plan)

The process of completing the training plan in its entirety including obtaining signatures from all relevant parties.

Credit Transfer

Granting of status or credit by an institution or training organisation for units of competency completed at the same or another institution or training organisation.

Date Deemed Competent (Australian Apprenticeships)

The date of the final agreement that competence in the workplace for the full qualification has been achieved.

Date Deemed Competent (Skilled Capital)

The date the final unit of competency was awarded for the qualification.

Days

Refers to calendar days.

Delivery mode

The method input by the RTO in AVETARS to indicate how the training for the qualification is delivered. RTOs may select multiple modes to reflect various delivery methods.

• Fully off-the-job by RTO Includes learning that takes place away from the workplace at any permanent or semi-permanent training location, and usually involves face-to-face training.
• Distance learning and remote e-learning Includes correspondence-based learning, web based resources, computer based resources, online interactions both on and off campus, radio, television, videoconference, or audio conference.
• Fully on-the-job (other than distance) by RTO Includes learning conducted in the workplace by the RTO.
• Blend of training by RTO/employer Used where the predominant method of learning is not fully off-the-job, distance learning/e-learning, fully on-the-job or employer-guided workplace learning.
• Employer-guided workplace learning Includes learning conducted in the workplace by the employer. The employer will be supported by learning materials provided by the RTO for this purpose and will include a documented process and delivery strategy to ensure employers carry out their responsibilities.

Delivery Strategy

The approach to the delivery of training that includes learning, training and assessment strategies. Additional support and wrap around services may be part of a delivery strategy.

Digital signature

A signature that utilises encryption technology to transform a message to a seemingly unintelligible form and back again.

Directorate

Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate and includes any officer of that Directorate who is authorised by the Director-General to perform the functions of the Directorate.

Due to Complete Date (Australian Apprenticeships)

Date determined by adding the commencement date of the training contract plus the nominal duration (full-time or part-time) of the qualification minus any applicable credit of time (to a maximum of three years and six months).

Due to Complete Date (Skilled Capital)

AVETARS system generated date determined by adding 2 years and one month to the Commencement date. See Commencement date (Skilled Capital). By this date all training and administrative arrangements for finalising the student record must be completed.

Electronic signature

An electronic symbol or process attached to, or logically associated with, a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.

Employer (Australian Apprenticeships)

A person who:

• has delegated authority to make decisions relating to the training contract for the Australian Apprentice,
• is employed at the same workplace (or host employer workplace) and predominantly for the same hours as the Australian Apprentice, and

   

• has the appropriate qualification and/or skills and capacity to train and supervise the Australian Apprentice.

Employment service provider

Organisation funded by the Australian Government to provide people from all backgrounds with access to services and support to help them overcome barriers and develop the required skills to gain employment and participate in society. They include Jobactive providers and Disability Employment Services (DES) providers.

Enrolment (Finalisation)

Includes familiarising the student with the RTO and the process for participating in the learning and successfully completing training in a specific qualification or skill set. The enrolment process also includes conducting the initial skills assessment (see Assessment (Initial Skills)) and the completion of an AVETMISS compliant enrolment form.

Exemption Certificate (ACT)

Formal certificate issued by the Director-General of the Education Directorate (or delegate) exempting a young person from either the education participation requirements to be enrolled at any education provider (i.e. complete exemption) or from meeting the full-time participation (attendance) requirement of their education provider (i.e. partial exemption). A student, who has not completed Year 10 but wishes to leave school and undertake work-related training, may be required to obtain an Exemption Certificate. An Application for an Exemption Certificate is available on the Policies and Publications page on the Education Directorate’s website.

Exemption Certificate (NSW)

Relevant delegates in NSW may grant exemptions to students of compulsory school age from the requirement to be enrolled in school provided approval has been given to entering a full time Australian Apprenticeship commencing in Year 10. Australian Apprentices working in the ACT who are residing in NSW must have a Certificate for Exemption from Enrolment at School. Information on applying for this exemption and the conditions that apply can be found at the NSW Department of Education website.

Existing Worker (EW)

Person who is currently employed. Eligibility criteria may vary according to the specific training initiative. Refer to specific training initiative ACT Standards Compliance Guides.

Fee-for-service RTO

RTOs delivering Australian Apprenticeship training that do not receive ACT Government User Choice funding for delivery of one or more qualifications.

Formal training

Formal training takes place through a structured program of instruction and is linked to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma or university degree). Formal training is supported by training materials and delivered by a qualified trainer.

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills are defined in the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults (2012) as the combination of:

• LLN – listening, speaking, reading, writing, digital literacy and use of mathematical ideas; and
• employability skills, such as collaboration, problem solving, selfmanagement, learning and ICT skills required for participation in modern workplaces and contemporary life.

Genuine Hardship (financial)

Term used in relation to fee concession. A determination of the student’s inability to pay the required tuition fee, based on relevant evidence.

ICT

Information and communication technology.

Indigenous Australian

See Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Individual Student Price (ISP)

The subsidy paid by the ACT Government to RTOs for a student to complete training. This includes the QSA and any additional loadings (See QSA).

Informal training and learning

Informal training and learning results through experience of work-related, social, family, hobby or leisure activities. Informal training and learning includes activities undertaken in the workplace under appropriate supervision, specifically new tasks or skills taught and learnt in the workplace that contribute to the development of the skills required for the qualification.

Initial Skills Assessment

See Assessment (Initial Skills).

Interstate training

Australian Apprentices in an ACT training contract for qualifications which are currently not delivered by RTOs in the ACT may be required to travel interstate to undertake their formal training. This normally occurs in ‘blocks’ of time.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN)

Component of foundation skills.

1. Language – refers to the understanding and use of spoken and written English.
2. Literacy – refers to the integration of listening, speaking, reading, writing and critical thinking. It incorporates numeracy and it includes the cultural knowledge that enables a speaker,a writer or reader to recognise and use language appropriate to different social situations.
3. Numeracy – refers to the ability to use mathematics effectively to meet the general demands of life at home, in paid work and for participation in community and civic life.

Lead RTO

The RTO approved to deliver and receive payment directly from the Territory for services under the specific training initiative.

Loadings

An additional payment added to the QSA based on eligibility of the student and/or RTO.

Long-term Unemployed

A person who has been registered as unemployed for at least the last 52 weeks.

Minimum Tuition Fee

The minimum fee the RTO must charge for an ACT Government subsidised qualification.

National Register

See TGA. The register maintained by the Commonwealth Department responsible for VET and referred to in section 216 of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.

NCVER

National Centre for Vocational Education Research is an independent body responsible for collecting, managing, analysing, evaluating and communicating research and statistics about VET nationally.

New Worker (NW)

Person who has been employed within an enterprise for less than three (3) months full-time or twelve (12) months part-time or casually prior to commencing an Australian Apprenticeship.

Notification of Business (NOB)

Electronic process by which the Directorate advises the RTO it has been nominated as the training provider on an Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract.

Off-the-job

Learning that takes place away from the workplace at any permanent or semi-permanent training location, and usually involves face-to-face teaching.

On-the-job

Training undertaken in the workplace as part of the productive work of the learner under normal operating conditions.

Participation

Participation in training is determined when:

1. the student has commenced training in at least one (1) unit of competency
2. the student has interacted and actively participated in the training
3. the RTO has documented the interaction and participation.

To be valid, evidence of participation must contain the student’s name or identification number, a unit of competency identifier and a date.

Person with a disability

Person that identifies as having a disability (intellectual, mental health, physical) that impacts on the person’s ability to undertake training and work in the chosen qualification and may result in the person requiring additional training and/or work–related support services and/or modifications.

Probationary Period

See Training Contract Probationary Period.

Progressing employee

An Australian Apprentice with continuing and unbroken employment with the same employer, progressing within three months of completing one AQF level qualification to a higher AQF level.

Qualification Certificate

Formal certification awarded by an accredited authority in recognition of the successful completion of an educational program. Qualification certificates are awarded when a person has met the RTO requirements and has satisfied all requirements of the units of competency that comprise an AQF qualification, as specified by a nationally endorsed training package or an accredited course that provides training for that qualification. Includes a record of results.

Qualification Subsidy Amount (QSA)

The base subsidy available for a qualification prior to the application of any loadings.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

An assessment process that assesses the competency of an individual that may have been acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual meets the requirements specified in the training package or VET accredited course.

1. Formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction and is linked to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma or university degree);
2. Non-formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction, but does not lead to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, in house professional development programs conducted by a business); and
3. Informal learning refers to learning that results through experience of work-related, social, family, hobby or leisure activities (for example the acquisition of interpersonal skills developed through several years as a sales representative).

(Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Training organisation registered to provide VET and/or assessment services and issue nationally recognised qualifications. All RTOs are required to meet the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. The nationally recognised qualifications an RTO can issue are defined by its scope of registration as listed on training.gov.au. See TGA.

Replacement qualification

Most up-to-date qualification in a training package which replaces a qualification that has been superseded.

RTO Internal Review Tool

Provided by the Directorate for RTO use in conducting the annual internal review as required by the ACTFA.

Scope of Registration

The training products for which an RTO is registered to issue AQF certification documentation. It allows the RTO to:

1. provide both training delivery and assessment resulting in the issuance of AQF certification documentation by the RTO; or
2. provide assessment resulting in the issuance of AQF certification documentation by the RTO.

(Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Skill Set

A single unit of competency or a combination of units of competency from a training package which link to a licensing or regulatory requirement, or a defined industry need (Standards for (Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

State Training Authority (STA)

The Directorate Ais an administrative unit of the ACT Government that acts as the State Training Authority in the ACT. The Directorate is responsible and accountable for the provision of sAtrategic advice on ACT VET. As the STA, the Directorate administers ACT and Australian Government funds for a variety of training initiatives and is responsible for the approval and variation of training contracts for Australian Apprenticeships in the ACT.

Statement of Attainment

A statement issued to a person confirming that the person has satisfied the requirements of the unit/s of competency or accredited short course specified in the statement (Standards foAr Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Structured Training

Includes formal training and informal training and learning.

Student

Eligible person enrolled in and participating in an ACT training initiative.

Student Identifier

Has the meaning given in the Student Identifiers Act 2014 (Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Subcontract

An arrangement where any third party (organisation or individual) provides services on behalf of the RTO, where there is not a contract of employment with the RTO.

Substantive visa

Any visa (whether permanent or temporary) other than a bridging visa or Criminal Justice visa.

Superseded qualification

Qualification that has been replaced by a newer version. See transition.

Supervisory staff (Australian Apprenticeships)

Suitably qualified and/or licenced (where required) person/s who is employed at the same workplace and predominately for the same hours as the Australian Apprentice.

TGA

The national register of information on training packages, qualifications, accredited courses, units of competency and RTOs located at training.gov.au.

Trainee

Person employed in a recognised traineeship vocation and who has entered into an Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract with their employer

Training Contract

See Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract.

Training Contract Hours

The total combined work and training hours per week, as agreed in the Australian Apprenticeships Training Contract.

Training Contract Probationary Period

A probationary period is a period of time after the training contract is signed, which allows either the employer or the apprentice/trainee to terminate the training contract agreement for any reason.

Training Initiative

See ACT Government Training Initiative.

Training Mode

The method used to determine how the training for the unit of competency will be delivered to the student as defined in the training plan.

Training Modes include:

1. Classroom based - training that takes place away from a person’s job, either off the premises or in a separate training area in the workplace, and usually involves face-to-face teaching.
2. Electronic based - uses electronic media to deliver flexible vocational education and training. It is suited to distance learning and flexible learning, but is also used in face-to-face teaching.
3. Employment based - is training conducted in the workplace as part of the productive work of the Australian Apprentice. Training may be delivered by the RTO and/or the workplace supervisor. If the workplace supervisor is delivering the training, they must be supported by training materials (and possibly learning materials) provided by the RTO.
4. Other – may include distance learning (or self-paced study), which can be undertaken independently and supported by a trainer. It may include e-learning approaches.

Training Package

Training Packages comprise: units of competency; assessment requirements (associated with each unit of competency); qualifications; and credit arrangements. The endorsed components of the training package form part of the requirements that an RTO must meet under the Standards for Registered Training Organisations. A training package also consists of a nonendorsed, quality assured companion volume/s which contains industry advice to RTOs on different aspects of implementation (Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Training Plan

Documented program of training and assessment for an individual student. It is developed by a RTO in consultation with the student and, where required by the training initiative, by the employer, as the basis for training and assessing a person undertaking a training course or qualification.

Training Record Book

Tool used for tracking progress. Under an Australian Apprenticeship the RTO has an obligation to provide formal training, and the employer has an obligation to provide training in the workplace (informal training and learning). The purpose of a training record book is to record this training.

Transition

The 12 months immediately after publication of a replacement training package or qualification on TGA. Where the transition period is extended by ASQA, the transition must occur within the approved extension timeframe. Includes all actions required to change the delivery operations of an RTO from an existing training product to a replacement endorsed or accredited training product, including resourcing, registration and transfer of students. The RTO must transfer continuing students from the superseded qualification to the replacement qualification as soon as practicable but no later than 12 months from the date of publication of the replacement qualification or within the approved extension timeframe, unless the student will be genuinely disadvantaged. The RTO must enrol new students in the replacement qualification as soon as practicable but no later than 12 months from the date of publication of the replacement qualification on TGA or prior to the expiry of the approved extension timeframe.

Tuition Fee

Contribution towards the cost of training charged by the RTO to the student/employer.

TYIMS

Training and Youth Internet Management System is the key IT support system that tracks Australian Apprentice and employer relationships, determines eligibility for, and makes payments and tracks performance of ANPs.

Unique student identifier (USI)

Has the meaning given in the Student Identifiers Act 2014.

Unit of Competency

The specification of the standards of performance required in the workplace as defined in a training package (Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

User Choice

National funding policy for Australian Apprenticeships promoting choice in training services provided to employers and Australian Apprentices. Under User Choice the STA administers payments to RTOs, as a contribution towards the cost of training.

VET

Vocational education and training.

VET Quality Framework (VQF)

Comprises:

1. the Standards for Registered Training Organisations
2. the Australian Qualifications Framework
3. the Fit and Proper Person Requirements
4. the Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements
5. the Data Provision Requirements.

(Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015).

Work Experience Placement

Period of unpaid work with an employer undertaken by VET students to complement and/or support a course or unit of competency, with supervision provided by the employer, the training provider or both.

Work experience placements funded through a Skilled Capital loading are additional to the industry placements required as part of a training package qualification and are intended to provide additional support for students in the identified categories that attract loadings.

Wrap Around Services

Support services that will significantly assist students to remain engaged in the training process and to successfully progress to further training and/or employment.

Youth at risk

A young person aged between 15 – 24 years-of-age who is at risk of disengaging from education and employment.