Training Packages Frequently Asked Questions
What are Training Packages?
Training Packages describe the skills required to be employable within a particular industry. The competencies are developed through extensive consultation and are validated by stakeholders within the industry. The group of competencies for that industry are then endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and approved for use throughout Australia.
Training Packages consist of competency standards, assessment guidelines and qualifications frameworks. They do not include support materials such as learning strategies, assessment resources and professional development materials, these are non-endorsed components of a Training Package. The National Training Information Service (NTIS) is a resource for all endorsed Training Packages. www.ntis.gov.au
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Training Packages are not accredited by any state or territory registering/course accrediting body. They are nationally endorsed by the National Quality Council and signed off by the state/territory ministers for vocational education and training. the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE).
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Training Packages do not expire, but are reviewed, updated and resubmitted for endorsement within three years. When an existing package has been replaced by a new Training Package the old package is then referred to as superseded.
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How often are Training Packages reviewed? 
Training Packages are generally reviewed and resubmitted for endorsement every three years. However within the three year time frame changes to a Training Package may occur under the continuous improvement process. Please see the Categories of Change. The Training Package is still endorsed and usable while it is being reviewed.
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In review
Training Packages are not static resources. The ongoing feedback arrangements industry skills councils have with stakeholders mean they are under continuous improvement. Under the current process of continuous improvement, a training package usually has a three-year endorsement period. During this period, changes that are needed in order to meet individual industry needs can be made. Additionally, specific parts of an endorsed training package may need to be reviewed within the endorsement period. It is possible for a specific part of a training package to be either, in review or awaiting endorsement, while the rest of the training package in unchanged.
Awaiting endorsement
After a package has been developed, it is submitted to the National Quality Council for endorsement. Once endorsed, the Commonwealth, state and territory ministers responsible for vocational education and training, the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE), have 14 days to formally agree to its suitability for national use. A Training Package is 'awaiting endorsement' until it has been formally accepted by this forum.
Endorsed
The term 'endorsed' means that the National Quality Council (NQC) has endorsed the Training Package and the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE) has agreed that it be placed on the National Training Information Service (NTIS) (www.ntis.gov.au) for national use. Once the package is formally endorsed by the NQC and the MCVTE, it can be used by registered training organisations (RTOs). It will be listed on the NTIS and will be available for purchase from TVET Australia Product Services (www.tvetaustralia.com.au).
Release Date
The Release Date is the date on which a particular version of a Training Package has been made publicly available on the National Training Information Service (NTIS).
Awaiting publication
If the Training Package is 'awaiting publication' it is endorsed but not yet available for purchase in printed or CD form. A printed copy of the Training Package is usually available for purchase from TVET Australia Product Services (www.tvetaustralia.com.au).
The categories of change are:
ISC Upgrade:
- All edits, deletions and enhancements to the content of existing units of competency where the structure and overall outcomes remain consistent with the original outcomes;
- Skill sets identification using existing units of competency;
- Addition of imported units of competency;
- Removal/addition of existing units of competency from/to elective bank;
- Addition of later versions of units of competency, for example 'A' to 'B', or replacing an imported unit of competency with its later version;
- Addition or deletion of one additional endorsed non-core unit of competency to a qualification, with a maximum of one per qualification at any one time.
NQC Endorsement:
NQC endorsement is required for changes not specific in ISC Upgrade. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Addition of a new industry sector or stream;
- Addition of new qualifications or removal of existing qualifications;
- Addition of new units of competency not already on the National Register;
- Addition/deletion of a core unit in a qualification;
- Amendment to element or performance criteria of a unit of competency;
- Modification to the Assessment Guidelines e.g additional requirements for assessors;
- Addition of an imported qualification to replace an existing qualification;
- Changes to units of competency that have a significant impact on resources for delivery;
- Changes to pre-requisites for units of competency.
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Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input into the review of packages at key stages. Feedback is required during the development and review phases. Contact the relevant Industry Skills Council to register your feedback.
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Once a new Training Package has been developed, or an existing one reviewed, the draft package is submitted to the National Quality Council for endorsement. The council has 21 days to consider the Case for Endorsement for the package. Once the council officially approves the package, it is referred to as 'endorsed'. The package is then referred to Australian Government, state and territory ministers who have 14 days to agree to place the Training Package on the National Training Information Service (NTIS) at www.ntis.gov.au. Any objections raised through the ministers are referred to the National Quality Council for resolution.
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The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) [formerly DEST] oversees the process of Training Package development and review.
DEEWR's role is to:
- Commission the development or review of a Training Package;
- Manage the process;
- Fund the process;
- Ensure quality processes are followed;
- Organise the pre-endorsement teleconference with state and territory training authorities; and
- submit the Training Package to the National Quality Council for endorsement.
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Initially, registered training organisations that have obtained the necessary 'scope of registration' can deliver training on a fee-for-service basis ONLY. Arrangements for the public funding of Training Packages (including User Choice), the declaration of apprenticeships and traineeships, and the allocation of nominal hours form a completely separate process. These arrangements are determined by the Department of Education and Training which then informs stakeholders of these arrangements.
A reviewed Training Package is considered similar to a new Training Package and thus requires amendment to the registered training organisation's scope of registration. Under the Conditions of Registration it is a requirement that a registered training organisation must apply to the state or territory registering body that has registered it for any extension to scope of registration.
Standard 1 of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) 2007 - Essential Standards for Registered Training Organisations, states the following:
Standard 1 The Registered Training Organisation provides quality training and assessment across all of its operations.
Element 1.3 Staff, facilities, equipment and training and assessment materials used by the RTO are consistent with the requirements of the Training Package or accredited course and the RTO's own training and assessment strategies.
This may include:
- downloading a copy of the relevant sections of the Training Package from the National Training Information Service at www.ntis.gov.au
- purchasing a CD or hard copy of the Training Package.
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The scope of registration of a registered training organisation must be updated shortly after a new Training Package is endorsed and signed off by ministers. The National Quality Council (NQC) determined that new Training Package qualifications should be implemented as soon as practicable. No new enrolments in the superseded version of the Training Package should be allowed from 12 months after the "Release Date" of the reviewed Training Package on the NTIS.
For further information on transition arrangements, click here.
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Where can Training Packages be purchased?
The only organisations or individuals authorised to publish and market endorsed Training Packages are those holding a formal Publishing and Marketing Agreement with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Failure to comply with this point is a breach of the Copyright Act 1968. Generally, Training Packages are available for purchase from TVET Australia Product Services (www.tvetaustralia.com.au) shortly after the formal endorsement process.
Training Packages are available for purchase in hard copy or CD format. The benefits of the CD format are that the individual sections can be printed out as required and it is less expensive than the hard copy.
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Training Package purchasing guides (formerly titled implementation guides) are for public funding purposes but may be used to assist registered training organisations, teachers/ trainers and assessors use/implement Training Packages. They provide general, and state and territory specific information on:
- qualifications included in the Training Package;
- registration processes and requirements for training organisations;
- how to correlate course information from older accredited courses or earlier versions of the Training Package with the latest endorsed qualifications (sometimes called transitioning or mapping);
- example training programs;
- industry licensing requirements;
- Australian Apprenticeships/ Traineeships
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Whilst Training Packages are endorsed by the National Quality Council, agreed to by state and territory ministers for vocational education and training, the guidelines and policies governing Training Package implementation vary slightly in each state and territory. When a state decides to implement a Training Package, the state training authority will commission the development of a state purchasing guide. Once the purchasing guide is complete the Training Package is ready for use within that state.
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What is an impact statement?
An Impact Statement looks at the human and physical resources required to implement a new or revised Training Package and the capacity of registered training organisations to meet those requirements. This informs the Department on the additional capital works, professional development and curriculum development resources that may be needed to implement a new or revised Training Package.
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Superseded Training Packages are still available on the National Training Information Service but are flagged 'superseded' to ensure that registered training organisations are using the latest version of the package.
Superseded Training Packages can still be purchased from TVET Australia Product Services (www.tvetaustralia.com.au) online catalogue for a short period of time after being superseded.
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New packages can be developed when industry identifies the need for nationally recognised training that is not currently covered by a Training Package.
A Training Package is referred to as 'under development' after DEEWR has entered into a contract for its development. Industry personnel, providers and other relevant stakeholders are widely consulted by the relevant industry training councils during this phase.
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The title of an endorsed qualification from a Training Package or accredited course can not be changed. In Western Australia if there is a specialisation offered within a qualification or accredited course, then the information can be put in brackets after the endorsed title.
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What are Employability Skills?
Employability skills are non-technical skills and competencies which have always been an important part of an individual's effective and successful participation in the workplace. The eight employability skills are:
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communication skills, which contribute to production and harmonious relations between employees and customers
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teamwork skills, which contribute to productive working relationships and outcomes
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problem-solving skills, which contribute to productive outcomes
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initiative and enterprise skills, which contribute to innovative outcomes
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planning and organising skills, which contribute to long-term and short-term strategic planning
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self management skills, which contribute to employee satisfaction and growth
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learning skills, which contribute to ongoing improvement and expansion in employee and company operations and outcomes
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technology skills, which contribute to effective execution of tasks
For further information on Employability Skills, click here.
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What are Skills Sets?
Skills sets are defined as those single units or combination of units which link to a licence or regulatory requirement, or a defined industry need.
For more information on Skills Sets, click here.
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