Accredited course

A nationally accredited course, developed to meet an industry training need that is not covered by an existing training package qualification.

Accredited training

Nationally recognised training. An accredited program of study that leads to vocational qualifications and credentials that are recognised across Australia. Only registered training organisations (RTOs) that meet government quality standards can provide nationally recognised training. It includes accredited courses and endorsed training package qualifications. Source: www.ncver.edu.au.

ACE

Adult and community education.

Adult and Community Education (ACE)

Education and training intended principally for adults, including vocational education and training (VET). Adult and Community Education is supported by the NSW Department of Education through funding to community colleges across NSW to deliver VET.

Advanced Diploma

A level 6 qualification in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It qualifies individuals who apply specialised knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and/or further learning. Source: www.ncver.edu.au.

Apprentice

A person who is employed in a recognised trade vocation and who has entered into a training contract with his/her employer under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.

Apprenticeship

A formal employment contract based training arrangement between an apprentice and their employer which combines on-the-job training and work experience while in paid employment with formal (usually off-the-job) training. Apprenticeship qualifications are delivered as part of this arrangement.

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001

The legislation that governs the apprenticeship and traineeship system in NSW.

Approved Smart and Skilled training provider

A registered training organisation that has been contracted by the NSW Department of Education to deliver government-subsidised training under Smart and Skilled.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

A person who is of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; and identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; and is accepted as such by the community in which that person lives or has lived.

AQF

Australian Qualifications Framework.

ASQA

Australian Skills Quality Authority.

Australian Government

The Commonwealth or federal government.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates the qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework. The AQF defines the qualification levels issued by schools, vocational education and training providers and higher education.

Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

The national regulator for the vocational education and training sector. It regulates vocational education and training providers and courses.

Block release

The release of an apprentice or trainee from the workplace for periods of time - usually a week or more - at set intervals (eg. one week per month) to undertake related training at the training provider's premises.

Certificates I – IV

A set of qualification types in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) that prepares candidates for both employment and further education and training. They recognise the achievement of specified national industry competency standards at four AQF levels in a wide variety of trades, industries and enterprises. Source: www.ncver.edu.au.

Classroom delivery

Course is delivered at the training provider's premises.

Competency

Demonstrated capacity, knowledge and ability to perform a task or skill needed to satisfy the special demands or requirements of a particular workplace situation.

The consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments. Source: www.ncver.edu.au.

Concession fee

See Fee concession.

Continuing student

A student who has started their course prior to 1 January 2015 and will continue studying after this date.

Course level

Nationally recognised standards for qualifications at six levels from Certificates I-IV to Diploma and Advanced Diploma (as defined by the Australian Qualifications Framework).

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the credit given towards a qualification for a unit of competency from a nationally accredited course that a student has completed through formal vocational education and training.

Department

NSW Department of Education

Diploma

A level 5 qualification type in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It qualifies individuals who apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and/or further learning. Source: www.ncver.edu.au.

Enterprise-based registered training organisation

A training entity that is typically embedded in a private or government-owned enterprise, where the enterprise's primary operations lie outside vocational education and training (see also Registered training organisation).

Entitlement

Under the Smart and Skilled entitlement, eligible students can access government-subsidised training for qualifications up to and including Certificate III on the NSW Skills List. The entitlement covers all apprenticeships and some traineeships.

Excluded qualifications

Qualifications that are not defined as a post-school qualification under Smart and Skilled including:

1. Certificate I qualifications
2. Smart and Skilled foundation skills courses
3. Other foundation skills courses aimed at developing foundation skills identified in the National Foundation Skills Strategy up to and including Certificate III, including English language, literacy, numeracy and employability skills
4. Certificate IV NSW Tertiary Preparation Certificate.

Exemption

Where a person does not pay a student fee because they meet the criteria to be exempt from paying a student fee.

Existing-worker trainee

A trainee who has been employed continuously for more than three months full-time, or more than 12 months part-time or casually, by his or her current employer immediately before commencing a traineeship (see also New-entrant trainee).

Fee

See Student fee.

Fee concession

A reduced student fee for people who meet the specified criteria.

Fee estimate

The estimated student fee for a course, based on the individual's information entered into the fee estimator.

Fee exemption

See Exemption.

Flexible attendance

Customised attendance to suit the course delivery mode and/or individual student needs.

Foundation skills

The core skills of reading, writing, numeracy and oral communication along with employability and learning skill that are critical for learning and work.

Full time

20 hours or more per week of training and assessment.

Loading

Extra funding support given to approved Smart and Skilled training providers to deliver training to disadvantaged students or students in defined regional and remote areas of NSW.

Long-term unemployed

A person who has been unemployed continuously for more than 52 weeks and can provide the required evidence to confirm this.

Mixed mode delivery

Where a course is delivered through a combination of any of the following delivery modes: classroom, work based, online/correspondence.

Nationally recognised training

See Accredited training.

New-entrant trainee

A registered trainee employed within an enterprise for less than three months full-time, or 12 months part-time or casually, or a combination of part-time/casual for a continuous period not exceeding 12 months, immediately before he or she commences a traineeship (see also Existing-worker trainee).

NSW Quality Framework

Developed by Training Services, the NSW Quality Framework establishes the benchmark for training under Smart and Skilled. It is based on principles that promote excellence and transparency by training providers under Smart and Skilled.

NSW Skills Board

The NSW Skills Board advises the NSW Government on how best to meet the skills and training needs of NSW individuals, industry, regions and the economy. The Board provides independent, high-level, strategic advice on the vocational education and training system in NSW.

NSW Skills List

A list that defines the qualifications eligible for government funding under Smart and Skilled. The NSW Skills List covers qualification levels from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma, selected Foundation Skills courses at Certificate I and II level, all apprenticeships, and selected traineeships.

Online/correspondence

Where a course is delivered electronically and/or using materials and resources through the post.

Part time

Less than 20 hours per week of training and assessment.

Part qualification

A short training program consisting of a skill set (see Skill sets) or units of competency selected from Training Package qualifications. It is not a full qualification.
Under Smart and Skilled, part qualifications can cover pre-vocational courses, pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships and targeted priorities for key groups and sectors.

Post-school qualification

Any vocational or higher education qualifications achieved in Australia or overseas at any time previously unless such qualification:

1. is an excluded qualification (see Excluded qualifications)
2. was achieved prior to the student turning 17; or
3. was achieved whilst the student was in secondary education and the qualification was part of the student's secondary education.

A qualification achieved while the student is enrolled in secondary education and achieved after the student turned 17 and which is not part of their secondary school curriculum is a post-school qualification.

Pre-vocational training

Education that prepares students for the world of work, including training in general work skills and habits. Source: www.ncver.edu.au.

Pre-vocational courses are targeted towards helping individuals get a first job or enrol in a full qualification. They include full qualifications and also selected relevant units from nationally recognised qualifications.

Price

A set base price for a qualification that reflects the efficient cost to the training provider of delivering the training. The price is made up of a government subsidy and a student fee.

Qualification

A Training Package qualification that is a nationally endorsed group of Units of Competency designed to meet the training requirements of industry workforce roles.

Qualification price

See Price.

Recognition of current competence (RCC)

The assessment of a person's current capacity to perform. RCC applies if an individual has previously successfully completed the requirements for a unit of competency or a module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained. Source: www.ncver.edu.au.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

An assessment of the skills and knowledge a student has gained outside the formal education and training system. These skills and knowledge may have been gained through work experience, voluntary work, school experience, life experience or sporting achievements. The assessment may result in the award of a nationally recognised qualification or statement of attainment.

Registered training organisation (RTO)

A training provider that is registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority to deliver vocational education and training services. RTOs are recognised as providers of quality-assured and nationally-recognised training and qualifications (see also Enterprise-based registered training organisations).

RPL

Recognition of prior learning.

RTO

Registered training organisation.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)

A school based apprenticeship or traineeship provides a student with the opportunity to attain a nationally-recognised vocational education and training qualification, as well as the Higher School Certificate, through paid part-time employment in a recognised trade or traineeship vocation and formal training provided by a registered training organisation.

Skill sets

Defined single units of competency, or combinations of units of competency from a Training Package, which link to a licence, regulatory requirement, or defined industry need.

Skills List

See NSW Skills List.

Smart and Skilled

A reform of the NSW vocational education and training (VET) system that helps people get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers. Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with an entitlement to subsidised training up to and including Certificate III. It also provides government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.

Smart and Skilled training provider

See Approved Smart and Skilled training provider.

Student fee

The student fee is the amount paid by the student towards the qualification price. Approved Smart and Skilled training providers must charge the set student fee for the qualification. Because the fee is fixed, it is the same regardless of which training provider the student chooses.

Subsidy

The difference between the price and the student fee/concession fee paid to the training provider by the NSW government for delivering a qualification on the NSW Skills List. For students that are exempt from paying a fee, the subsidy is the total price of the qualification.

TAFE NSW

The NSW Technical and Further Education Commission, known as TAFE NSW, is the public provider in NSW.

Targeted priorities

Eligible students may enrol in higher-level Smart and Skilled qualifications (Certificate IV to Advanced Diploma) in targeted priority areas, subject to funding availability. Targeted priorities also include the purchasing of pre-vocational and part qualifications.

Trainee

A person who is employed in a recognised traineeship vocation and who has entered into a training contract with his/her employer under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.

Traineeship

A formal employment contract based training arrangement between a trainee and their employer combining off-the-job training with an approved training provider with on-the-job training and practical work experience. Traineeship qualifications are delivered as part of this arrangement.

Training contract

A contract that establishes an apprenticeship or traineeship under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.

training.gov.au (TGA)

A website that acts as the official national register for vocational education and training in Australia and is the authoritative source of information on training packages, qualifications, accredited courses, units of competency, skill sets and registered training organisations.

Training Package

A nationally endorsed, integrated set of competency standards, assessment guidelines and Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications for a specific industry, industry sector or enterprise.

Training Plan

Outlines the course of formal training that an apprentice or trainee will undertake with a registered training organisation to gain a nationally recognised qualification. It includes information on the mode and dates of training delivery, the units of competency that will make up the qualification, details of any recognition of prior learning (RPL) or recognition of current competence (RCC) that will be applied and information about the role the employer will play in supporting the training. The Training Plan (or training plan proposal) is attached to the national Training Contract when applying to establish an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Training provider

A registered training organisation that delivers vocational education and training. Training providers include TAFE NSW, private training organisations and adult and community education (ACE) providers. Source: www.ncver.edu.au. (See also Approved Smart and Skilled training provider).

Training Services

The division of the NSW Department of Education responsible for government-funded vocational education and training in NSW. Training Services leads strategic policy, planning, funding, regulation and advice on VET to support economic, regional and community development. It is responsible for the implementation of funded programs, including Smart and Skilled, apprenticeships and traineeships and adult and community education. It undertakes contract management of approved Smart and Skilled training providers and implements quality assurance and performance monitoring.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

A requirement from 1 January 2015 for students undertaking accredited training. A USI account contains a student's nationally recognised training records and results from 1 January 2015 onwards.

Unit of Competency

The consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace, as specified in Training Packages and accredited courses. It enables the transfer and application of skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.

VET

Vocational education and training.

VET in schools

VET Student Loans

An Australian Government scheme that assists eligible students to pay all or part of their tuition fees for VET Diploma and above qualifications. It cannot be used for additional study costs such as accommodation or text books.

VTO

Work based delivery

Courses delivered by a training provider at the student's workplace.