Learn what is considered nationally recognised training in Australia. Explore the potential of Coursebox in getting your courses recognised across the country.
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Every country in the world has certain standards for its vocational and educational training. In Australia, these standards are set by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) is a term used to describe any vocational or education course that has been accredited by ASQA and meets the national training standards. In simple words, the course is deemed to be informative enough to provide students with relevant skills and knowledge.
Below, we discuss the ins and outs of nationally recognised training in Australia. We also suggest best practices to create courses that are nationally recognised.
Nationally recognised training in Australia refers to a set of vocational or education courses that meet the standards set by ASQA. These courses are recognised across the country and hold equal value, regardless of where they were completed. Simply put, means that a course completed in Sydney will hold the same recognition and value as a course completed in Brisbane.
The National Register of Vocational Education and Training (VET) lists all nationally recognised training in Australia. You have to be a registered training organisation (RTO) to provide nationally recognised training and issue a statement of attainment or qualifications for it.
There are five main types of nationally recognised training (NRT) in the country. Let's discuss them in detail.
A training package qualification specifies the skills and knowledge required for a particular industry or occupation. These qualifications are developed by Industry Skills Councils (ISCs) in consultation with various stakeholders. They cover areas such as technical skills, communication, and workplace health and safety.
Typically, a training package comprises the following:
A Vocational Education and Training (VET) regulator assesses and accredits courses delivered by RTOs. Accredited courses are nationally recognised qualifications that have been approved by the government and meet industry standards.These courses could comply with the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations administers these standards.
An accredited qualification is a nationally recognised course that results in a qualification outcome that hasn't been specified in a training package. The AQF accredits all qualifications.
These qualifications are typically designed to meet the needs of a specific industry or profession and have been developed in consultation with industry experts. They may also have specific entry requirements or pathways.
The training package also includes skill sets, which are specialised groupings of units of competency that provide combinations of skills to meet specific workplace needs. These skill sets may be drawn from different qualifications within the same training package or even across multiple packages.Skill sets can provide opportunities for individuals to upskill or reskill in a particular area without having to complete a full qualification. A good example is the COVID-19 infection control skill set, which was quickly developed and accredited to address an urgent need during the pandemic.In another scenario, someone who works in an office may want to develop their skills in digital marketing. They could complete a skill set that includes units from the qualifications in business and marketing instead of completing a full course.
Units of competency make up a qualification. They describe the skills and knowledge requirements to perform a specific job task or function.
Meanwhile, accredited modules are specific units of competency that have been endorsed by industry experts for use in training and assessment. These training modules can be used as standalone courses or incorporated into a qualification.To explain, in a course related to cybersecurity, a unit of competency might cover the topic of threat intelligence analysis. The accredited module for that unit may focus specifically on using particular tools and techniques for conducting threat intelligence analysis.
One way to recognise if a course or qualification is nationally recognised is by looking for the NRT logo. It can only be used by ASQA, RTOs, state course accrediting bodies, and relevant authorities. Since it's a registered trademark, it can't be used by anyone else.
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Plus, a course or qualification will also have an NRT code, which is a unique identifier assigned by ASQA. The code can be found on the official certificate or statement of attainment issued upon completion of the course or qualification.Registered RTOs are allowed to use the NRT logo in their advertisements and promotional material. So, if you see the logo in their internet, print, radio, or television ads, you can be confident that the course or qualification is nationally recognised.
As an RTO, you'll need to follow certain guidelines and best practices when creating nationally recognised training materials. Here's an overview.
We've explained training packages in detail above. These packages contain the qualifications, units of competency, and assessment requirements that make up a course.
When creating training materials for a nationally recognised course, follow the structure laid out in the relevant training package. Use the correct unit codes, titles, elements, performance criteria, and other related information.
Preparing for NRT starts from step 1 in the process of creating a course. Opt for a learning management system (LMS) or training platform that complies with ASQA's guidelines so that you don't have to make too many tweaks yourself.
Coursebox is one such option. It is designed to keep the needs of Australian RTOs in mind, so compliance is a breeze. In addition, it offers AI-assisted features like an AI grader to mark assessments, an AI quiz maker, interactive content, an AI video generator, an AI course designer, white-label features, and more.
Plus, the tool comes with a built-in AI chatbot that acts as an assistant for the learners. They can use the chatbot as a reserve tutor to get instant answers to their questions related to the course.
While English is the official language for training packages, you should avoid using complex terms or jargon that may be difficult for learners to understand, especially non-native English speakers.
Use plain and simple language to make the content accessible to all learners. While you're at it, use visual aids to break down complex concepts.
You want to create a course that not only meets the regulatory requirements but also prepares learners for real-world scenarios. Include real-world case studies and scenarios in your course to make it more relevant to the industry.It's best to get input from industry experts. They can guide you in keeping your NRT up to date with current trends and standards.
Make sure your course aligns with ASQA's standards for assessment and compliance. You can sign up for the ASQA newsletter to receive updates and notices of changes.Also, conduct assessment validation every five years (as required by the Standards for RTOs 2015) to ensure the assessment methods and tools used are valid and reliable. You can also do it sooner if your industry or training package changes significantly.
Learners tend to lose interest in text-heavy courses. You can keep them engaged by using interactive elements like videos, simulations, downloadable resources, gamification, and quizzes in your course. These elements not only make the course more interesting but also help with knowledge retention. If you use Coursebox, adding these elements is as simple as drag and drop. You can also use the AI video generator to create short videos on complex topics.
As a registered RTO, it's a must for your course to meet NRT requirements. It's important not only to keep you compliant with the standards but also to provide quality education to your learners.While non-NRT courses, such as locally developed programs and non-accredited modules, are also valuable, they may not be recognised by employers and other educational institutions. In contrast, if your NRT course is listed on the National Register of VET, you can expect a higher enrollment rate as learners can be confident in the quality of your course.
