The Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 include standard 5 requiring that, prior to commencement of services, prospective VET students are adequately informed about the services they are to receive, their rights and obligations, and the RTO’s responsibilities under these Standards. Specifically, the standard requires:
Clause 1:
Prior to enrolment or the commencement of training and assessment, whichever comes first, the RTO provides advice to the prospective learner about the training product appropriate to meeting the learner’s needs, taking into account the individual’s existing skills and competencies.
Clause 2:
Prior to enrolment or the commencement of training and assessment, whichever comes first, the RTO provides, in print or through referral to an electronic copy, current and accurate information that enables the learner to make informed decisions about undertaking training with the RTO and at a minimum includes the following content:
- estimated duration;
- expected locations at which it will be provided;
- expected modes of delivery;
- name and contact details of any third party that will provide training and/or assessment, and related educational and support services to the learner on the RTO’s behalf; and
- any work placement arrangements.
d) the learner’s rights, including:
- details of the RTO’s complaints and appeals process required by Standard 6; and
- if the RTO, or a third party delivering training and assessment on its behalf, closes or ceases to deliver any part of the training product that the learner is enrolled in;
- in relation to the repayment of any debt to be incurred under the VET FEE-HELP scheme arising from the provision of services;
- any requirements the RTO requires the learner to meet to enter and successfully complete their chosen training product; and
- any materials and equipment that the learner must provide; and
Clause 3:
Where the RTO collects fees from the individual learner, either directly or through a third party, the RTO provides or directs the learner to information prior to enrolment or the commencement of training and assessment, whichever comes first, specifying:
- fees that must be paid to the RTO; and
- payment terms and conditions including deposits and refunds;
b) the learner’s rights as a consumer, including but not limited to any statutory cooling-off period, if one applies;
c) the learner’s right to obtain a refund for services not provided by the RTO in the event the:
- arrangement is terminated early; or
- the RTO fails to provide the agreed services.
Clause 4:
Where there are any changes to agreed services, the RTO advises the learner as soon as practicable, including in relation to any new third party arrangements or a change in ownership or changes to existing third party arrangements.
To ensure that prior to enrolment or the commencement of training and assessment all prospective VET students are adequately advised of the services they are to receive, their rights and obligations, and the College’s responsibilities. The policy also affirms that when VET students require additional information they are clearly directed as to where to find the information.
This policy applies to all staff of the College who conduct new student interviews of prospective VET students.
The College shall not accept any prospective VET student into a course until a New Student Interview (NSI) has been conducted.
The NSI shall detail for the course, unit(s), or training product the following:
- expected locations at which it will be provided
- expected modes of delivery
- name and contact details of any third party that will provide training and/or assessment
- related educational and support services to the learner on the College’s behalf
- any work placement arrangements.
During the NSI the prospective VET student will be advised that the College's website includes information on the following:
- course codes, titles, AQF levels and time to complete
- the structure of courses including core and elective units
- workload expectations
- currency of VET training packages and units of competency
- timetables
- complaints and appeals policies.
During the NSI the prospective VET student will be:
- advised of their responsibilities
- advised of the obligations of the College and the support they can expect
- advised of fees that are payable to the College and any government financial assistance that may be available. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders shall be advised that if eligible for Skills Vic funding they will automatically be charged the concession rate. The prospective VET student will then be asked which option they will use for the payment of fees.
The staff member conducting the NSI shall recommend the course, unit(s), or training product most appropriate to meeting the prospective VET student’s needs, taking into account the individual’s general background, vocational expectations, existing skills and competencies, and pre-training assessment and customisation.