Australian College of Trade

Professional Code of Practice

sanction - legislative requirements - quality management focus - language, literacy and numeracy -

marketing and advertising - access and equity - privacy - training and assessment standards -

admissions/enrolments - fees and charges - complaints and appeals - recognition of prior learning -

monitoring academic performance - issue of certification - student services

Sanction

ACOT is committed to high standards in the provision of education and training. The following Code of Practice

describes the minimum standard of ACOT’s education and training. The policies set out in this Code of Practice

support the operations of ACOT. ACOT recognises that registration as a Registered Training Organisation may be

withdrawn if ACOT does not honour the obligations of this Code of Practice.

Legislative requirements

ACOT complies with all the legislative requirements of State and Federal Government, in particular Occupational

Health and Safety, Workplace Relations, Anti Discrimination and Equal Opportunity and mutual recognition of

accredited qualification issued from another RTO.

Quality management focus

ACOT has a commitment to providing a quality service with a focus on continuous improvement. ACOT values

feedback from students, trainers and other industry representatives. Where possible, ACOT designs diagnostic

assessment tools specific to student needs.

Language, literacy and numeracy

All students have the option to be assessed in order to ascertain if their Literacy and Numeracy skills are sufficient to

successfully undertake the training program. This is usually via interview or completion of an exercise contained in

the proposed training program. Those who require further assessments will be out-sourced to a qualified expert. Any

cost incurred will be the responsibility of the student. (Top)

Marketing and advertising

ACOT markets training products with integrity, accuracy and professionalism, avoiding vague and ambiguous

statements. In the provision of information, no false or misleading comparisons are drawn with any other Training

Provider, thus ensuring that ACOT’s market strategies will not contravene legislation.

Access and equity

ACOT will meet the needs of the individuals and the community through the integration of access and equity

guidelines. ACOT will ensure that equity principals for all people are applied through the fair allocation of resources

and the right to equality of opportunity without discrimination. ACOT will increase opportunities for people to

participate in the vocational education and training system, and in associated decisions, which affect their lives.

ACOT prohibits discrimination towards any group or individuals in any form, inclusive of:

• Gender

• Pregnancy

• Race, Colour, nationality, ethnic or ethno-religious background.

• Marital status

• Homosexuality male or female, actual or presumed)

• Age (in relation to compulsory retirement)

• Access and equity issues are considered during training package/product development.

• Access and equity issues are considered in training delivery and assessment.

Privacy

Personal information is collected solely for the purpose of operating as a Registered Training Organisation under

the VET Quality Framework (VQF) which is administered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under the

National Vet Regulator Act 2011. The requirements of the registering authority may mean the release of your

personal information for the purposes of audit and/or the collection of data by Commonwealth and State Government

departments and agencies and the fund manager of the ESOS assurance agency. It is a requirement of the VET

Quality Framework that students can access personal information held by ACOT and may request corrections to

information that is incorrect or out of date. Apply to the Chief Operating Officer should you wish to view your own

records. (Top)

Training and assessment standards

ACOT has personnel with appropriate qualification and experience to deliver the training and facilitate the

assessment relevant to the training products offered. Assessment will meet the requirements of Nationally

Accredited training packages including recognition of prior learning and credit transfer. Adequate training materials

and physical resources will be utilised to ensure the learning outcomes of training and assessment can be achieved.

Appeals procedures are in place for students who are not satisfied with their assessment or training. All assessment

process will be valid, reliable, flexible and fair. Students will be advised on assessment requirements before training

commences.

Admissions/enrolment

Students will be recruited responsibly and ethically at all times and recruitment will be consistent with any training

package/product requirements. ACOT is committed to non-discrimination in any form and when recruiting and

selecting always complies with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation.

There may be prerequisites before commencing a program due to health requirements or the nature of the program.

Fees and charges

International Student's Courses. Domestic and VTG Student's Courses

Complaints and appeal policy

ACOT seeks to prevent appeals by ensuring that students are satisfied with their training product and its outcomes.

Personnel are expected to be fair, courteous and helpful in all dealings with students. Any complaint about any

Assessment will be treated seriously, investigated thoroughly, and dealt with according to the merit of the complaint.

The circumstances and results of any appeal are analysed by the Chief Operating Officer. All records of any appeal

will be kept on file.

The student's on-going enrolment will be maintained during the complaint and appeal process. Should the student

not be satisfied with the result or conduct of this process ACOT will assist the student to access an external appeals

process at minimal or no cost to the student. Top

Customer Complaints and Appeal Procedure:

The complaints procedure requires a complainant to agree to:

1. Discussion with the relevant trainer about the complaints in an attempt to resolve the issue.

2. If the matter is unable to be resolved at this level, the complainant can formalise the complaint and the

written complaints/appeal can be lodged with the CEO. At this level the complainant should be given an

opportunity to present his or her views in person to the CEO, in support of the appeal. The outcome is to be

reported and forwarded in writing to the complainant within seven days of the hearing.

3. If the complaint is still unresolved, it may be referred to the Chief Operating Officer and an external mediator

arranged.

4. All complaints that are substantiated must be dealt with within the Risk Management Policy as a means to

correct and improve the processes giving rise to complaints. (Top)

Click on the link below for full details of the:

• Customer Complaints and Appeals Proceedure.

• Course Credit and Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

ACOT Assessment Criteria

The objective is for the student to show that they have achieved the unit's competencies. Students may be assessed

by one or more of the following methods:

Observation - the completion of the specified task or set of procedures normally performed under close

supervision, using a detailed checklist.

Oral questioning - a response is provided to a series of questions presented in order to demonstrate

understanding of the principles or reasoning behind the action taken.

Case Study - an opportunity to display problem solving and decision making skills is provided in a workplace

context.

Multiple choice - a question or incomplete statement followed by several options (usually 4-5) from which the

trainee selects the appropriate answer/s.

Written short answer - a written response item consisting of a question/s with answer of a single word, a few

words, a sentence or a paragraph.

Project - an exercise or investigation based on a real life situation, generally requiring a significant part of the work

being carried out without supervision, and involving the completion of a project report.

Workplace reports - detailing each students' work based training component

Students will be advised of the assessment methodology before training commences.

Monitoring academic performance

At the orientation session students will be advised of the meaning, requirements and recording of their academic

performance and of the requirement to complete the course by the scheduled end date of the course. Top

Issue of certification

Students will be advised of the assessment methodology before training commences. Qualifications (Diplomas,

Certificates and Statement of Attainment) will be issued within Twenty working days of successful completion of the

program. Qualification will meet the requirements of the training package/product and legislation.

Student services, welfare and guidance

ACOT has sound management practices to ensure effective student services. ACOT has operational standards to

ensure timely issuance of training, assessments, results and qualifications. These will be appropriate to competence

achieved and issued with accordance with the National guidelines. All student records and documentation will be

recorded, kept confidential and securely archived. Students can access their file by request, in writing allowing 14

days notice. All relevant organisational documentation will carry a version number and date. Records of updated

version numbers are kept on file.

ACOT has student welfare and guidance services relevant to the training packages being delivered.

Students requiring support should initially approach their Pastoral Trainer/Assessor. The Pastoral Trainer/Assessor

will notify the Chief Operating Officer. Following such notification both the Pastoral Trainer/Assessor and the Chief

Operating Officer will work with the Student to develop an appropriate process to alleviate and resolve the Student's

concerns. If appropriate the Chief Operating Officer will organise for the Student to see the College Student

Counselor.

Where necessary, arrangements will be made for students requiring Literacy and/or Numeracy support. This will be

out-sourced to the relevant qualified experts. Any fees incurred are responsibility of the student.

ACOT’s student information will ensure that, all fees and charges are known to students prior to enrolment. Students

are advised of Course Content, outcomes and Assessment procedures before training commences. ACOT’s quality

focus includes - access and equity, recognition of prior learning, fair and equitable refund policy, appeal policy and

complaint procedure. For any matter outside ACOT’s expertise or control, ACOT will make every attempt to refer the

student to the relevant agency or expert.

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