• Section 1 - Summary
• Section 2 - HESF/ASQA/ESOS Alignment
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Definitions
• Section 5 - Policy/Regulation
• Section 6 - Procedures
• Part A - Summary of Roles and Responsibilities
• Part B - Overview
• Part C - Procedure

Section 1 - Summary

(1) This Procedure provides clear guidance to staff about the processes, documentation and communication in relation to:

1. informing prospective students about courses and VET course admissions requirements; and
2. the Pre-Training Review.

Section 2 - HESF/ASQA/ESOS Alignment

(2) Standards for RTOs: Standard 4 (specifically 4.1), 5 (specifically 5.1 to 5.4).

(3) Skills First Dual Sector VET Funding Contract Clause 5 of Schedule 1.

Section 3 - Scope

(4) This Procedure applies to all Vocational Education and Training (VET) course delivery primarily but not limited to Victoria University (VU) Polytechnic.

(5) This Procedure does not apply to international applicants.

Section 4 - Definitions

Section 5 - Policy/Regulation

(8) See the Admissions Policy

Section 6 - Procedures

Part A - Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

Part B - Overview

(9) Victoria University (VU) through the Polytechnic offers a broad range of VET courses designed to provide vocational skills and pathways to employment options and/or higher education.

(10) It is a requirement for VU’s registration as a Registered Training Organisation to be compliant with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. This Procedure aims to ensure that VU is compliant with Standard 5: Each Learner is adequately informed and protected, and Standard 4: Accurate and accessible information about an RTO, its services and performance are available to inform prospective and current learners and clients, specifically:

1. Clause 5.1 which states: ‘Before enrolment or the commencement of training and assessment, whichever comes first, the RTO provides advice to the prospective learner about the training product appropriate to meeting the learner’s needs, taking into account the individual’s existing skills and competencies.
2. Clauses 5.2 to 5.4 which require RTOs to provide current and accurate information that enables learners to make informed decisions about undertaking training with the RTO.
3. Clause 4.1 which mandates that information disseminated by the RTO or on its behalf, is both accurate and factual.

(11) In addition to the two Standards highlighted above, the Victorian State Government Dual Sector VET Funding Contract mandates that the RTO must conduct a Pre-Training Review for each eligible individual that:

1. identifies any competencies previously acquired (e.g. skill recognition or credit transfer eligibility);
2. ascertains a suitable, and the most suitable (as defined in the Quality Charter), qualification for that student to enrol in, based on the individual’s existing educational attainment, capabilities, aspirations and interests and with due consideration of the likely job outcomes from the development of new competencies and skills; documenting for each student the reasons why the training is suitable;
3. ascertains the proposed learning strategies, and materials are appropriate for that individual; and
4. where the proposed learning includes portions delivered online, identifies the individual learner’s digital capability, including access to necessary technology, and where necessary identifies steps to overcome any barriers in this regard.

Part C - Procedure

(12) Marketing approved text should be utilised to describe course admission requirements and course information on all marketing materials.

(13) Changes to marketing approved text or additional course selection criteria must be documented and approved by the relevant Polytechnic College Dean.

(14) All published promotional course information must conform to regulatory bodies’ specific requirements.

(15) Managers must ensure and approve the accuracy of all promotional materials, including the course guide, VU website, brochures or course flyers, presentations, fee statements and handouts at course information sessions etc.

(16) Managers are responsible for documenting course admission requirements in the relevant Training and Assessment Strategy.

(17) Course costings must be developed by the Manager and forwarded to the relevant College Dean for approval, prior to advertising the course.

(18) Approved course information must be published on the VU website and other marketing materials.

(19) Individual or group course information sessions must be scheduled, promoted and conducted.

(20) Managers, Course Coordinators or Selection Officers must schedule, promote and conduct group course information sessions and/or alternative approved selection activities. Course applications must be assessed against admission requirements as well as the suitability of the course for the applicant’s future aspirations. The applications, as well as documented evidence of selection processes, should be retained in the online admission system (Right Now) or, if paper-based, in the delivery department.

(21) Course applications must be assessed against admission requirements as well as the suitability of the course for the applicant’s future aspirations. The applications, as well as documented evidence of selection processes, should be retained in the online admission system (Right Now) or, if paper-based, in the delivery department.

(22) All prospective Award course applicants must complete the standard Pre-Training Review form before an enrolment offer. All Non–Award course applicants must complete the Non-Award Pre-Training Review form. 

(23) Where further pre-enrolment assessment is required to determine course suitability, this will be in addition to the standard pre-training review process conducted by the teaching area.

(24) Credit Transfer claims should be processed with the course enrolment.

(25) The Skills Recognition process commences before enrolment. Where possible, after attending the initial interview, students should be enrolled in the proposed skill recognition units, to confirm skill recognition pathway.

(26) As part of the admission process, award course applicants must undertake a literacy and numeracy assessment. Applicants are only allowed to take the literacy and numeracy assessment on one occasion, unless there are circumstances that require the student to have a second attempt. Such circumstances could include but are not limited to illness or surgery and crises and traumatic incidents. This assessment is to assist in identifying if the applicant has the required ACSF level for success in their chosen course. Where the assessment result indicates an ACSF level that is one level lower than required for that qualification as referenced in the ACSF Course List, applicants are referred for enrolment into Learning Support, as per the VET Learning Support Procedure alongh with the vocational qualification chosen, where appropriate. The course area may determine that the applicant be referred to an alternative suitable course option, even if they are one ACSF level below. Where the result indicates an ACSF level more than two levels lower than required that applicant must be referred to an alternative lower level AQF Level course or a Foundation program. Evidence of a previously approved literacy and numeracy assessment result that is within the timelines listed below can be considered valid for enrolment in a suitable course:  

1. within the preceding six (6) months by Victoria University Polytechnic;
2. within the preceding three (3) months by another registered training organisation (where documentary evidence must be provided).