Key player

Summary of role and responsibilities

National Skills Standards Council (NSSC)

As a Committee of the Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (SCOTESE), the NSSC oversees quality assurance and ensures national consistency in the application of the AQTF standards for the audit and registration of training providers.  The NSSC replaced the National Quality Council (NQC) on 1 July 2011.

It has specific decision-making powers in relation to the endorsement of Training Packages and other aspects of quality assurance under the National Skills Framework – the system’s requirements for quality and national consistency in terms of qualifications and the delivery of training.

The NSSC has a key role in bringing together the major players in the VET sector – industry, unions, governments, equity groups and practitioners – to oversee and support the current and future quality of VET across Australia. It is also critical to ensuring the successful operation of the National Skills Framework.

Industry Skills Councils (ISCs)

ISCs provide advice to Australian, state and territory governments on the training that is required by industry. The key purpose of an ISC is to provide:

• comprehensive representation of industry in the management and planning of VET
• advice and participation in the development of training products and services to meet industry needs.

ISCs are responsible for collecting information on industry training needs from employers, unions and professional industry associations, thereby ensuring an industry-led VET system that is flexible and responsive.  They advise government on how public funds should be spent within each industry, and have primary responsibility for the development and maintenance of Training Packages.

CPSISC represents the VET needs of the Construction and Property Services Industries and has responsibility for the CPP07 and CPC08 Training Packages.

State and Territory Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs)

ITABs provide authoritative, independent information on training needs, and promote skills development and take-up of training by businesses in their industries.  They assist in the  development of Training Packages by:

• providing input to CPSISC's Continuous Improvement Plan to advise/valide industry imperatives for changes to Training Packages
• communicating issues through their networks
• facilitating consultation and validation processes for changes requiring NQC endorsement.

State and Territory Training Authorities (STAs)

Each Australian state and territory government has a training authority that administers VET – allocating funds, registering training organisations and accrediting courses. STAs have a key role to play in the development and endorsement of Training Packages. A condition for endorsement of a Training Package is that it is validated and approved by the STAs. It is the responsibility of each STA to:

• plan and report on VET strategies
• purchase training on behalf of their government
• administer Australian Apprenticeships and VET-in-schools
• administer funding and financial incentives for VET within the state/territory
• support training organisations, employers and the community on VET issues
• accredit courses and register training providers within the AQTF 

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)

RTOs are providers and assessors of nationally recognised training. Only RTOs can issue nationally recognised qualifications. In order to become registered, training providers must meet the AQTF standards. This ensures the quality of VET services throughout Australia.

RTOs include TAFE colleges and institutes, adult and community education providers, private providers, community organisations, schools, higher education institutions, commercial and enterprise training providers, industry bodies, and other organisations that meet registration requirements. All RTOs are entered into the NTIS database listing their details and scope of registration.

Industry representatives and organisations

The needs of industry underpin the Australian VET system and Training Package development and review processes. Industry representatives are a diverse range of VET stakeholders including:

• employers and employees from various sized organisations throughout Australia
• peak industry groups and associations
• unions
• employer, employee and other professional industry associations and bodies.

Enterprise representatives

Enterprise representatives assist in the development of Training Packages by:

• providing input to CPSISC's Continuous Improvement Plan to advise/valide industry imperatives for changes to Training Packages
• communicating issues through CPSISC's Improvement Register
• active membership of special/technical reference groups
• participating in consultation and validation processes for changes requiring NQC endorsement.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

DEEWR brings together the core elements of the Government’s productivity and participation agenda from early childhood, through schools, trade training, wider vocational education, universities and employment participation.  DEEWR works in collaboration with various stakeholders across Government, industry and the community to support and create Australia’s future through improving education outcomes and systems, maximising the effectiveness of training, increasing workforce participation and contributing to a strong employment growth and economy.