Draft model for self-assurance

During 2022, we have been developing a draft model for self-assurance, through a co-design process with the sector. You can read more about what we heard from the sector as part of the co-design process, to create the draft model.

Defining self-assurance

Self-assurance is when training providers have their own systems and practices to systematically monitor, evaluate and continually improve their training outcomes and performance against the Standards and obligations as a registered training organisation (RTO).

Throughout the co-design process, we shared the following definition of self-assurance with providers and stakeholders;

Self-assurance refers to how providers manage their operations to ensure a focus on quality, continuous improvement and ongoing compliance with the Standards.

It means providers have systems in place to critically examine their performance against the Standards and training outcomes, on an ongoing basis, to identify ways to continuously improve.

Throughout the co-design process, there was broad agreement with this definition of self-assurance.

Principles for a model for self-assurance

Throughout the co-design process, we have progressively refined a set of principles for the self-assurance model with providers and stakeholders. These principles reflect a shared understanding of what a model should and should not be.

Throughout Phase 2 of the co-design process, we heard strong agreement with and support for these principles to continue to guide the development of the self-assurance model through the next phase of co-design. These considerations are contributing to Phase 3 of the co-design process, currently underway.

Principles for the model:

  flexible to be appropriate for all providers regardless of size, type, operating context and self-assurance maturity 

  aligned with RTO standards and supporting other requirements including State/Territory where possible

  focused on continuous improvement rather than merely compliance

   simple and easy to understand for providers

   encouraging and supporting providers to fully integrate self-assurance into their business (‘organic’ to operations)

   reinforced and validated by other regulatory activities including ASQA’s performance assessments and risk analysis

  valuable to providers and linked to a reduction in regulatory burden

   backed by effective support, guidance and education by ASQA

A model should avoid:

  being overly prescriptive

  encouraging providers to just ‘tick the box’ / achieve the minimum requirements

  causing self-assurance to become an additional business process for providers

  duplicating existing requirements of providers