29.11.24
Revised Standards for RTOs
The revised Standards for RTOs (SRTOs) mention risk a number of times and in fact, all of the overarching legislative elements as set out in the NVR Act 2011 are cited as being meant to "maintain the reputation and integrity of the VET sector and mitigating risks to students".
As part of the incoming Standards (which form one part of the VET Quality Framework and are enabled by the NVR Act), RTOs are expected to:
Establish systems and processes to meet the Standards, ensuring these are proportionate to risk, and tailored to their own context
Use a risk-informed process for validation of assessment practices and judgements
Determine which part of a training product should be validated - and the sample size to be used - based on identified risk
Have strategies in place to manage and/or mitigate any risks for learners linked to 'on-the-job' training facilities, resources and equipment
Minimise the risk of students unknowingly participating in training that is unsuitable for them
Be aware of risks to student wellbeing and have strategies to protect and uphold student safety
Take a proactive approach to identify and manage risk in all facets of operations - students, staff, finances
And all of this, BEFORE we even get to proposed Standard 4.3 which is "Risks to VET students, staff and the RTO are identified and managed" and specifically outlines requirements to manage:
Financial risks to the organisation
Conflicts of interest
Risks to the safety and well-being of VET students aged under 18
There is a clear expectation under the self-assurance model that providers must determine their own systems and processes for how they will demonstrate meeting the Standards, and risk forms a major component of those necessary considerations.
For access to exclusive content about transitioning to the Revised SRTOs