What Is the Training Accreditation Council?

Every country or state has certain regulatory bodies that maintain the quality of education and training programs. In Australia, this responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Training Accreditation Council (TAC).

The TAC is an independent statutory authority that was established in 1996 under the Vocational Education and Training Act. It supervises and accredits all registered training organizations (RTOs) and oversees the quality of vocational education and training (VET) programs in Western Australia.

Its primary objective is to make sure that all VET programs delivered are of high quality, relevant, and meet the needs of individuals, industry, and community. We discuss the TAC in detail below along with providing guidance on how to prepare for the council’s accreditation. 

What Is the Training Accreditation Council in Western Australia?

The Training Accreditation Council (TAC) is the official body that regulates and sets the standards for vocational education and training (VET) in Western Australia. Its main responsibility is to accredit RTOs, which are organizations that deliver VET programs.

Plus, it sets the bar for training excellence by evaluating course content, instructor qualifications, and compliance with recognized standards like the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 and the AQTF 2021 Standards for Accredited Courses.

TAC serves a wide range of education providers, including:

• Vocational training institutions that offer career-focused education
• Online course creators looking to gain accreditation for digital learning programs
• Corporate training providers delivering professional development programs to businesses

Beyond accreditation, TAC investigates training providers, too. It can adjust or revoke accreditations when it deems necessary. The main reason for this level of oversight is to protect the interests of students who attend RTOs and employers who hire individuals with VET qualifications.

Why TAC Accreditation Matters for Course Creators

If you create and sell online courses, accreditation doesn't just serve as a fancy badge. Instead, it is a powerful tool to build trust among your learners.

A course accredited by the TAC signals to businesses and learners that your training meets industry standards. That's how you attract students and corporate clients.

First off, a TAC-accredited course stands out in a crowded marketplace. Be it structured learning paths or bite-sized modules, accreditation proves that your course is well-designed. Learners also feel confident in investing in your program since it carries recognized approval.

TAC also evaluates whether your courses follow industry-approved smart learning objectives. If your course passes this evaluation, it means that learners can expect positive learning outcomes, which is just what you'd want.

Most importantly, accreditation is a long-term investment for your organization. It shows your commitment to continuous improvement and delivering high-quality education. The current competitive eLearning space requires this kind of credibility for an institution to maintain strong brand recognition.

How Does the TAC Accreditation Process Work?

Have you created a course that you now want to get accredited? Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Application Submission

The process starts with an application where you provide key details about your training organization and courses. If you're an RTO in Western Australia or Victoria, TAC oversees your accreditation under the AQTF 2021 Standards for Accredited Courses.

The application includes information about your course structure, learning objectives, and assessment methods.

Step 2: Course Content and Instructional Design Review

TAC assesses whether your course meets national standards. They will also review the course structure and instructional design. Plus, they check if the assessments in your course measure learner progress effectively.

Step 3: Instructor Qualifications Assessment

Accreditation doesn't only involve the course material but also the people delivering it. So, the TAC reviews the qualifications and experience of instructors to make sure they have the necessary expertise to deliver the course successfully.

Step 4: Compliance with TAC's Ethical and Quality Standards

Next, the TAC checks your course's compliance. The national compliance standards include:

• Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTO) 2015
• Standards for VET Regulators 2015
• AQTF2021 Standards for Accredited Courses
• Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

They also check compliance with the following state-specific compliance guidelines:

• Vocational Education and Training Act 1996
• Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009
• Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements
• Fit and Proper Person Requirements
• Data provision requirements (from the Standards for RTOs)

Step 5: Final Decisions

After reviewing everything, the TAC will come to a decision. If approved, your course or training organization becomes accredited. But, if there are gaps, TAC may request improvements before granting accreditation.

How to Prepare for TAC Accreditation

Ideally, you want your course to get accredited in the first go. To do so, you'll have to prepare for the process correctly. Let's break it down.

Align Your Content with TAC Standards

We've mentioned two lists (one for national and the other for state) of regulatory frameworks above. Your course must be in line with them. A simple synopsis is to create courses that have clear objectives, measurable outcomes, structured learning paths, and assessments.

TAC wants your content to be well-organized, which means it should follow a logical progression. The beginner-friendly topics come first before going into the advanced ones.

Also, include smart learning objectives in your course. For example, by the end of a module, a learner should be able to identify the different types of risks in project management. As for assessments, make them interactive and versatile. Use a blend of case studies and quizzes to make assessments comprehensive.

Collect Documentation

Accreditation involves paperwork, and missing documents can slow things down. Before applying, prepare:

• A detailed course curriculum outlining topics, delivery methods, and assessments
• Proof of compliance with AQTF 2021 and RTO Standards (if applicable)
• Learning materials and examples of student assessments

For example, if you run an online digital marketing course, TAC may request evidence of structured modules on SEO, PPC, and social media advertising, along with graded assignments.

Verify Instructor Qualifications

As we've mentioned, the instructors delivering the course material should also be at par with TAC's standards. Your instructors should hold the necessary degrees and certifications in the subject area.

They should also have experience in both practical applications and instructions for the course. Plus, they must be able to provide proof of their professional development, such as certifications or workshops they've attended.

Let's say you've created a leadership training program. The TAC would want to see your trainers have management experience and formal teaching credentials.

Improve Your Learner Assessment Strategies

The TAC's decision about your course's accreditation will ultimately depend on how helpful it is for the learners. You can strengthen your course's assessments by using an AI assessment tool, such as Coursebox.

The best part about Coursebox is that you do not have to use different tools for every section of your course or TAC accreditation process. Instead, you can use Coursebox to create your course from start to finish. Its AI can help you brainstorm ideas or convert existing content into a course.

While the AI quiz and assessment generator creates standardized tests for your learners, the AI graders can mark them. Even when you're not around, the AI chatbot tutor can provide real-time assistance to learners struggling with a concept.

As an all-rounder tool, Coursebox makes it easy to generate learning materials that can pass the TAC standards. When using Coursebox, create a mix of formative and summative assessments for comprehensive learning.

You can also create clear grading rubrics for AI use. Make sure the marking criteria are aligned with the course objectives so that learners are assessed on their understanding of the key concepts. The TAC would want to assess this.

Adopt a Continuous Improvement Approach

You've done a good job of creating a course, but that's not it. As you upgrade your course, you must maintain the same level of quality. Take learner feedback into account for this. You can also notice industry trends and incorporate them into your course so that learners are always getting up-to-date knowledge.

Suppose you've created a course related to cybersecurity. Now that AI-assisted security is becoming popular in the industry, you can add a module to it. You can also include new case studies of security breaches in your course.

Similarly, compliance requirements may also change with time. When that happens, make sure you are aware of the changes and update your course accordingly. This way, you won't risk getting your accreditation revoked.

Conclusion

As you can see, the TAC has stringent guidelines that RTOs must follow in Western Australia. The government wants to make sure that learners who complete courses from RTOs have the knowledge and skills to enter the workforce.

Your compliance with the standards highlighted by the TAC is a must. Once you get accredited, you can advertise your course as a TAC-approved program, which will attract more learners.

To make your job easier, you can use AI tools like Coursebox to automate the creation and delivery of your course. Besides saving time and money, you can also benefit from effective course creation with white-label features. It's a win-win!