What is AQTF 2007?

The regulation of all vocational education and training is conducted under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) 2007. The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) is the national set of standards which assures nationally consistent, high-quality training and assessment services for the clients of Australia’s vocational education and training system. AQTF 2007 is the current version of the framework, effective from 1 July 2007.

The three components of AQTF 2007 are:

The Essential Standards for Registration

Training organisations must meet these standards in order to deliver and assess nationally recognised training and issue nationally recognised qualifications. They include three standards, a requirement for registered training organisations to gather information on their performance against three quality indicators, and nine conditions of registration.

Standards for State and Territory Registering Bodies

The Standards for Registering Bodies describe the way that the states and territories carry out registration and audits. These standards, under AQTF 2007, provide new ways for regulating training providers through outcome-based standards and auditing. The new arrangements also strengthen national consistency.

Excellence Criteria

These are criteria that registered training organisations may use voluntarily to continue improving the quality of their training and assessment and to gain recognition of their performance.

AQTF 2007 publications can be downloaded from www.training.com.au

RTOs will be able to apply to be assessed for recognition against Excellence Criteria from 1 January 2008.