Training packages

ASQA's role is to ensure that providers are ready to deliver/are delivering training and assessment that meets training package requirements. We will take regulatory action if providers do not meet training package requirements.

ASQA automatically updates its regulated providers’ scope of registration when new equivalent training package products are released.

ASQA has no role in the development, endorsement or maintenance of training packages.

RTOs or organisations working in partnership with an RTO are authorised to deliver training packages qualifications and units of competency. However, they may only do so if the training package product/s are on their scope of registration.

SSOs update training packages in line with the Training Package Development and Endorsement Process Policy. This policy ensures that training package products are:

• developed to an agreed quality standard, and
• responsive to industry’s existing and future demand for new skills.

When updating training packages, SSOs:

• conduct an environmental scan to capture industry intelligence and existing and emerging skills shortages and training requirements
• develop a continuous improvement plan to ensure training packages meet the existing and emerging skills needs of industry
• undertake quality assurance activities throughout the development of the training package components
• seek endorsement of the revised training package
• publish the revised training package on the national register
• publish a Companion Volume Implementation Guide to help providers implement the training package.

Training package revisions that do not change the outcome of the endorsed components can be updated by the SSO without Australian Industry Skills Committee endorsement.

Further information is available on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website—Training packages and VET Reform.

SSOs must publish a Companion Volume Implementation Guide when they revise a training package. This guide aids providers in implementing the training package. It contains information such as:

• version control and modification history
• mapping information—which explains whether the outcomes of the new product are equivalent or not to the superseded products
• regulation and licensing implications for implementation
• mandatory entry requirements, pathways advice and access and entry conditions
• resource and equipment lists
• links to learning strategies, knowledge and assessment guidance (if relevant).

Companion Volume Implementation Guides are usually available either:

• through the individual training package entry on training.gov.au, under 'Companion volumes', or
• via VETNet.

SSOs also publish more information about training package developments on their websites, including:

• a Continuous Improvement Plan for each training package
• a Case for Endorsement, which provides the rationale for proposed changes to a training package—available while the AISC considers changes.

Once a new training package appears on the national register, RTOs will have 12 months to transition to delivering the new product.

In some cases, RTOs can receive approval to take an extra six months to teach-out a qualification. This extension may be approved if an RTO can prove students would be genuinely disadvantaged by transferring to the replacement qualification earlier.

If the SSO has deemed the new training product (qualification and/or unit of competency) equivalent to a superseded product on your scope of registration, ASQA will automatically update your scope.

RTOs that have new equivalent training package products added to their scope of registration should continue to deliver the superseded product until ready to deliver the new equivalent product, as long as this occurs within the 12-month time frame. 

RTOs registered to deliver a training package product superseded by a non-equivalent product will need to apply to ASQA to add this product to their scope of registration. Transition to deliver the new product must still occur within the 12-month time frame.