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Delivering elective units

Publication type
Fact sheets
Date published

 

Flexibility in the structure of a qualification gives RTOs greater ability to customise training package qualifications to meet their market’s needs.

This fact sheet explains how RTOs registered with ASQA can deliver elective units as part of a training package qualification.

 

Packaging rules and elective units

The packaging rules for a training package qualification set out the overall requirements to achieve that qualification. The packaging rules clearly state what the core and elective requirements are for that qualification.

Packaging rules specify:

  • the number and source of elective units that can be included in a qualification
  • the number of elective units that can be drawn from within the ‘host’ training package
  • the number of elective units that can be drawn from other training packages, and
  • the number of elective units that can be drawn from accredited courses.

Sometimes, units taken from other training packages or accredited courses are referred to as ‘imported’ units.

In some cases, a stated number of elective units must be selected from a specific list (or ‘bank’) of units identified in the packaging rules.

Elective units selected must be relevant to:

  • the work outcome
  • local industry requirements, and
  • the qualification level.

  • ASQA RTOs must be prepared to provide evidence to support their choice of elective units. 

     

How RTO delivery of elective units is regulated

Generally, qualification packaging rules allow for one or more elective units to be selected from any currently endorsed training package qualification or accredited course, noting the unit should be relevant to the qualification, maintain the integrity of the AQF alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.

The elective unit(s) selected must be on the RTO's scope of registration. If the selected elective unit(s) is on scope, the RTO can deliver it as part of the full qualification delivery program without notifying or formally applying to ASQA. If the selected elective unit(s) is not on scope, the RTO must apply to ASQA to add the unit(s) to its scope of registration.

Requirements under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011

The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 defines scope of registration as ‘the things that an organisation is registered to do’. If an RTO is registered to deliver a qualification, it may include any unit(s) of competency into its delivery program that the Qualification Packaging Rules of that qualification permit.

However, RTOs must ensure that they are fully resourced to meet all requirements of the Assessment Guidelines of the training package from which any elective unit is drawn.

This includes requirements relating to the competence of trainers/assessors, industry relevance of facilities and resources, and validity and reliability of assessment processes and tools.

Units with recognised industry licensing or regulatory outcomes

RTOs should also be particularly aware of the implications on students and industry of offering / delivering units which have recognised industry licensing or regulatory outcomes (for example, the ‘Licence to ...’ units in the TLI10 Transport and Logistics Training Package).

Usually, special arrangements are in place between industry regulators and ASQA to assure the quality of outcomes achieved by students. If such units are delivered without all requirements relating to registration to deliver these units having been fulfilled, students will not be able to access the licensed or regulatory outcome.

Information about external licensing and additional registration requirements is available on the ASQA website.

 

Delivery of standalone units

If an ASQA RTO intends to offer/deliver a unit that is—

  • a core unit of competency, or
  • a named elective unit of competency

—within the packaging rules of a qualification the RTO has on its scope of registration, the RTO can offer/deliver/issue a statement of attainment for the unit without first applying to ASQA to have the unit explicitly listed on its scope of registration.

If an ASQA RTO intends to offer/deliver a unit that is not—

  • a core unit of competency, or
  • a named elective unit of competency

—within the packaging rules of a qualification the RTO has on its scope of registration, the RTO cannot offer/deliver/issue a statement of attainment for the unit, unless it has applied to ASQA to have the unit explicitly listed on its scope of registration and that application has been granted. 

 

More information

For more information visit the ASQA website.

If you have questions about the information in this fact sheet, contact us. The info line operates from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm, EST, Monday to Friday.

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