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VAC 7.6

VET accredited courses specify rules for the structure of the course.

Section B: 5.1 of ASQA’s accredited course document template contains the course structure and the ‘packaging rules’ component of the course. The course structure will be determined by the outcomes of the consultation undertaken with relevant stakeholders during the development of the course.

The rules for completion of the course—also referred to as the packaging rules—reflect the skills and knowledge outcomes identified for the course and the pathways that learners may use to achieve those outcomes. Units of competency must be grouped and packaged into meaningful combinations that reflect the intended roles and skill outcomes.

The course structure may take a variety of forms, including:

  • core only model
  • core and electives model
  • core and specialisation(s) model
  • core, specialisation(s) and electives model
  • electives only.

All units of competency in qualifications are to be described as either ‘core’ or ‘elective’. Core units are mandatory for all learners, whereas elective units provide the learner with a choice. For example, a list of seven electives could be provided, and the packaging rules may require the learner to complete three. Combinations of electives that result in particular specialisations are to be called ‘Groups’ and labelled alphabetically e.g. Group A, Group B.

The course structure must also identify the nominal (supervised) hours for each unit. The course owner determines the hours assigned to the enterprise units developed for the course; however, for imported training package units the assigned hours are to reflect those specified in the Victorian Purchasing Guides.

Guidance on the sequencing of units should be included in Section B: 5.1 to inform an RTO’s development of its training and assessment strategies for the accredited course.

Where pre-requisite relationships exist, the course structure must include the identified pre-requisite units, including those required for any imported units from a training package or existing accredited course. Note when developing enterprise units that pre-requisite unit relationships must be identified in the unit’s ‘Pre-requisite unit’ field.

Case study—Demonstrating course structure of a core only model accredited course

A course owner has developed the course 10242NAT Certificate III in Underground Coal Mine Inertisation Team Operations. The course comprises training package and enterprise units it has developed. The nominal (supervised) hours for the existing training package units included in the course have been allocated in accordance with the Victorian Purchasing Guides. The nominal (supervised) hours for the enterprise units were determined as a result of the consultation and validation activities undertaken during the development of the course.

The course document advises that sequencing of delivery and assessment of all units should follow the order of the units as they are listed in the structure; however, they must be delivered and assessed in a sequence that satisfies the identified pre-requisite relationships.

To be awarded the qualification, Certificate III in Underground Coal Mine Inertisation Team Operations, participants are required to successfully complete 21 units of competency comprising:

Participants who exit the program without completing all of the units will receive a Statement of Attainment identifying those units that they have achieved.

Unit of competency code Unit of competency title Pre-requisite Nominal hours
Core units
HLTAID006 Provide advanced first aid Nil 30
HLTAID007 Provide advanced resuscitation Nil 14
PMAWHS211 Prepare equipment for emergency response Nil 20
PMAOPS305 Operate process control systems Nil 60
PUAFIR207B Operate breathing apparatus open circuit PUAFIR215 60
PUAFIR215 Prevent injury Nil 8
PUATEA001B Work in a team Nil 20
RIIERR201D Conduct fire team operations Nil 40
RIIERR302D Respond to local emergencies and incidents Nil 20
RIIERR304D Control emergencies and critical situations Nil 30
RIIRIS301D Apply risk management processes Nil 40
UCMINW301 Operate underground coal mine inertisation unit water system Nil 60
UCMINF302 Operate underground coal mine inertisation unit fuel system Nil 60
UCMINJ303 Operate underground coal mine inertisation unit jet engine   60
Total nominal hours 522

Note: This case study is modelled on the current accredited course 10242NAT Certificate III in Underground Coal Mine Inertisation Team Operations Permission for ASQA to use information from this accredited course was provided from the course owner, the Queensland Mines Rescue Service Limited.

Case study—Demonstrating course structure for a core and specialisation model accredited course

A course owner has developed the course 10732NAT Diploma of Forensic Identification (Biometrics) (Document Examination). The course comprises a training package unit and enterprise units it has developed. The nominal (supervised) hours for the existing training package units included in the course have been allocated in accordance with the Victorian Purchasing Guides. The nominal (supervised) hours for the enterprise units were determined as a result of the consultation and validation activities undertaken during the development of the course.

Packaging rules:

  • eight units must be selected for award of this qualification, including:
    • four core units
    • four elective units (made up of the following).

Elective units are to be packaged as follows:

  • Group A electives for the award of the Biometrics stream of this qualification must select all four electives in Group A
  • Group B electives for award of the Document Examination stream of this qualification must select four electives in Group B.
Unit of competency code Unit of competency title Nominal hours
Core units
DFIIMG001 Apply specialist digital imaging techniques 70
DFIPPR001 Apply professional practices in specialist examination roles 70
DFIPRE001 Present evidence in a judicial system 70
PSPSCI013 Initiate and conduct scientific/technological research 80
Electives
Group A electives – Biometrics stream
DFIFAC001 Apply specialist facial image comparison techniques 100
DFIMBS001 Advise on multibiometric system applications and emerging technologies 85
DFIVID001 Apply specialised techniques to video and closed circuit television for forensic analysis 90
DFISTA001 Apply statistical techniques to analyse biometric data 85
Group B electives – Rehabilitation Engineering stream
DFIDOC001 Perform general document examinations 95
DFIDOC002 Conduct examinations of printed documents and stamp impressions 100
DFIDOC003 Conduct examinations and comparisons of security documents 100
DFIDOC004 Apply knowledge of instrumentation to document examinations 80
DFIDOC005 Undertake initial evaluation of handwriting and signatures 85
DFIDOC006 Perform handwriting and signature comparisons 90
Total nominal hours (Total core units + minimum/ maximum of elective units) 640 – 675

Note: This case study is modelled on current accredited course 10732NAT Diploma of Forensic Identification (Biometrics) (Document Examination). Permission for ASQA to use information from this accredited course was provided by the course owner, Canberra Institute of Technology.
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