Checking a first aid training provider

“There are three VET regulators. Most training providers are regulated by ASQA.”

ASQA, Student records

ASQA is also plain about the limits of its role in a dispute: “If you have a dispute with your provider about fees, loans or refunds, external organisations can help. We cannot resolve disputes between students and providers.”

ASQA’s guide to choosing a course says: “Once you've selected a course and provider, it's important to understand your rights and responsibilities under the enrolment agreement.”

A selection of what ASQA says “Training providers must clearly communicate:”

• “Course title, code, and currency”
• “Delivery methods, duration, and location”
• “information on getting a student identifier”
• “student rights and obligations (e.g. sourcing their own work placement or providing their own work resources)”
• “available support services”
• “any licensing or occupational license requirements, including any relevant industry regulator, state and territory requirements”
• “complaints and appeals processes”
• “refund eligibility and cooling-off periods.”

ASQA’s page on student rights puts the same duty another way: “When enrolling, the provider must give you clear information.” Among what that includes, it names “any third-party involvement” and “the complaints process.”

Both lists are selections here; the full list is on ASQA’s page on choosing a course and provider. The course code is the one to compare with the unit an employer or service asks for (Entry 01 sets out the units). And if anything changes: “Your provider must inform you promptly if any aspect of your enrolment change, such as course details, cost or duration.”

ASQA lists support that providers must ensure you can reach, including “learning resources and tutorials”, “language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) support”, “assistive technologies and IT help” and “reasonable adjustments to support learning”. It adds: “Providers must create an inclusive learning environment that is culturally safe and flexible, with staff trained in inclusive practices and responsive to diverse student cohorts.”

Your side of it, in ASQA’s words: “Students are responsible for:”

• “understanding payment terms and refund conditions”
• “meeting course requirements”
• “supplying necessary materials or equipment”
• “managing any VET Student Loan obligations.”

Recognition of prior learning

“When you sign up for a new course you can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) with your new RTO.” ASQA explains that RPL lets the RTO assess the competency you already have, from formal and informal learning, against the requirements of a unit.

1. A provider still operating

   “RTOs which are currently registered are required to hold student records for a minimum of 30 years. If you did your training with a current RTO, you should contact them directly for a copy of your certificate or records.”

2. Training after January 2015

   The Unique Student Identifier (USI) transcript service may hold your records if you completed the training after January 2015 and gave your provider your USI. For training completed after 1 January 2015, ASQA says a record can be verified through that service.

3. Training before 2015

   “For training completed before 1 January 2015, verification can be completed by the issuing RTO.”

4. A closed provider

   “When providers deregister, they are required to submit their student records to their regulator.” Where that regulator is ASQA and it holds the records, it can provide a letter and transcript, and “No fees apply to student record applications.” ASQA asks readers to be aware that “Some providers do not supply ASQA with records upon closure.” If the RTO that issued a certificate has closed, ASQA may be able to verify the record, provided the RTO was registered with ASQA and gave it its student records when it closed.

5. Employer checks

   Employers, licensing bodies and RTOs may want to verify a qualification or statement of attainment, but “ASQA does not have a register of all qualifications and competencies issued by RTOs.” The date of the training decides the route, as in steps 2 and 3.