Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2013L00177 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Explanatory Statement

Standards for VET Accredited Courses made under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research

Subject: National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011

Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012

Authority

Subsection 188(1) of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (the Act) provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, make standards for VET accredited courses, as agreed by the Ministerial Council. Subsection 188(2) of the Act provides that the agreed standards are to be known as the Standards for VET Accredited Courses.

In accordance with subsections 44(1) and 54(1) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the Standards for VET Accredited Courses (the Standards) are not subject to disallowance or sunsetting.

Purpose and Operation

The purpose of the Standards is to revoke the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2011 (F2011L01330) and to remake the Standards to formally identify the requirements for accrediting VET courses previously found in the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

The Standards have adopted the existing AQTF standards for accredited courses. The Standards are not intended to change the existing standards for accrediting courses found in the AQTF except where necessary to reflect the new legislative regime. Compliance with the Standards is a requirement for accreditation of a VET course by the National VET Regulator. The objectives of the Standards are to ensure that the requirements for accrediting courses are met.

Paragraph 191A(1)(d) of the Act enables the Standards to incorporate the following documents as they exist from time to time:

Australian Qualifications Framework, as published on http://www.aqf.edu.au
Training Packages, as published on http://training.gov.au
Training Package Development Handbook, as published on http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/vet_standards/standards_for_training_packages

In accordance with subsections 15(b) and 15(c) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the repeal of the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2011 (F2011L01330) does not effect the previous operation of the former instrument or provision or anything duly done or suffered under the former instrument or provision or any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the instrument or provision.

Consultation

The Standards were first consulted upon with stakeholders (unions, training provider peak bodies, employer groups, industry bodies and State and Territory representatives) at a consultation meeting held on 20 and 21 April 2011.

The need for the Standards to require compliance with key documents as and when they are updated was consulted upon with stakeholders (unions, training provider peak bodies, employer groups, industry bodies and State and Territory representatives) as part of the broader consultation process for the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Act 2012 on 9 and 10 August 2011.

Before the Minister made the Standards, they were circulated to the Ministerial Council for endorsement which was received on 27 August 2012.

Description of the provisions of the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012

Part 1—Preliminary

Division 1—Arrangements on commencement

VAC 1: Name of Standards
VAC 1 names the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012.

VAC 2: Commencement
VAC 2 provides that the Standards commence on the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

VAC 3: Definitions
VAC 3 defines terms used throughout the Standards.

Part 2—Introduction and purpose

VAC 4: Introduction
VAC 4 provides an explanation of accredited courses.

VAC 5: Purpose of the standards
VAC 5 sets out the purpose of the Standards to set out requirements to be considered by the National VET Regulator prior to making a decision about a course put forward for accreditation.

Part 3 – Course design standards

Part 3 provides that applications for course accreditation will be assessed by the National VET Regulator against the design standards that are outlined in VAC 6 and VAC 7 and must be met for accreditation. Part 3 also provides that the accreditation of a VET accredited course may be cancelled under section 52 of the Act if these standards cease to be met.

VAC 6: Duplication
VAC 6 clarifies applications for course accreditation will not be successful if the course duplicates the outcomes of an existing endorsed Training Package qualification.

VAC 7: Course design standards
VAC 7 sets out in detail the course design standards for an accredited course.

Part 4 – Obligations of persons in respect of whom a course is accredited

A note to Part 4 provides that a VET accredited course must be delivered by an RTO and it is an offence under the Act to deliver such a course without being an RTO. The note further provides that a person who is not an RTO, and who does not intend to become an RTO, is required to develop an agreement with an RTO for the delivery of the course under the conditions they have determined.

VAC 8: Obligations of persons in respect of whom a course is accredited
VAC 8 identifies the obligations of a person in respect of whom a course is accredited, throughout the course accreditation period.

Appendix 1

The appendix contains the template for course documentation for accreditation that should be used by an applicant seeking accreditation of a course.

Overview

The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012, made under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, were introduced to address the need for clearly defined standards for accrediting vocational education and training (VET) courses in Australia. Enacted by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, these standards were designed to formalise the requirements for accrediting VET courses, previously outlined in the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), within the new legislative framework established by the Act. The primary objective of these standards is to ensure that VET courses meet specific criteria set by the National VET Regulator for accreditation, thus maintaining the quality and relevance of vocational education across the country. These standards incorporate key documents such as the Australian Qualifications Framework and Training Packages, ensuring that they remain up-to-date and reflective of current industry needs and standards.

Scope and Application

The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012, issued under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, apply to all entities involved in the accreditation of vocational education and training (VET) courses in Australia. These standards are established to ensure that courses proposed for accreditation meet specific design and operational criteria, overseen by the National VET Regulator. The Standards are applicable nationally, aligning with the federal legislative framework and reflecting the agreements made by the Ministerial Council. The Standards incorporate the Australian Qualifications Framework, Training Packages, and related documentation, which are to be adhered to as they are updated. Entities subject to these standards include Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and other providers seeking to offer accredited courses. The Standards do not apply to courses that are already accredited under the previous framework unless they undergo significant changes that necessitate reassessment against the new standards. The Standards themselves are not subject to disallowance or sunsetting, ensuring their continuous applicability until further legislative amendments are made.

Key Provisions

The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 (the Standards) outline the requirements for accrediting vocational education and training (VET) courses in Australia under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (the Act). They replace the previous Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2011 (F2011L01330) and incorporate the requirements previously found in the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). Section 188(1) of the Act allows the Minister to make these standards by legislative instrument, which are then agreed upon by the Ministerial Council and referred to as the Standards for VET Accredited Courses. Notably, these standards are not subject to disallowance or sunsetting under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (subsections 44(1) and 54(1)). The Standards are designed to ensure that VET courses meet specific accreditation criteria before they can be endorsed by the National VET Regulator. They adopt the AQTF standards for accredited courses but are tailored to reflect the new legislative framework. For instance, VAC 6 prohibits applications for course accreditation if the proposed course duplicates the outcomes of an existing endorsed Training Package qualification. VAC 7 further details the course design standards that must be adhered to for accreditation. These standards are crucial for ensuring that accredited VET courses meet national quality benchmarks and are delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Under the Standards, entities or individuals seeking to accredit a VET course must comply with certain obligations throughout the accreditation period. For example, VAC 8 outlines the specific obligations of the entities or individuals responsible for the course, ensuring that they meet the required standards and maintain compliance throughout the accreditation period. Furthermore, it is an offence under section 191A(1)(d) of the Act to deliver a VET accredited course without being an RTO. Those who are not RTOs and do not intend to become one must develop an agreement with an RTO for course delivery, as per the note to Part 4 of the Standards. Failure to comply with the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 can result in severe consequences. Section 52 of the Act allows for the cancellation of the accreditation of a VET course if the course design standards are no longer met. Additionally, delivering a VET accredited course without being an RTO is an offence that may incur penalties as stipulated by the Act. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the Standards, breaches of the Act generally attract significant fines and other legal repercussions, underscoring the importance of strict compliance with these regulatory requirements.

Area of Law: Education Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Compliance Obligations; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Enforcement Powers

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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