Newly endorsed Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) welcomes the announcement by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) of an updated Training and Education training package which includes a newly approved Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (Cert IV TAE*) which introduces higher standards for trainers and assessors across the vocational education and training (VET) workforce.

The newly-endorsed qualification includes an additional core unit on the development of effective assessment tools (Design and develop assessment tools). The additional unit aims to ensure that trainers and assessors have a greater depth of knowledge about good assessment tools and students graduating from VET courses will be more effectively assessed as having the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job.

ASQA – the national regulator for vocational education and training (VET) - has been advocating for enhanced training and assessment practices in the VET sector for a number of years.

National strategic reviews undertaken by ASQA during the past three years have identified poor assessment practices as a major issue for the sector.

ASQA sees the changes made by the AISC to the TAE qualification as the first step in a range of reforms that are required to enhance the reputation and standing of the VET workforce.

ASQA also believes the new qualification is good news for students, who can have greater confidence in the capability of their trainers and assessors.

All registered training organisations, whether currently delivering the old Cert IV TAE qualification (TAE 40110) or not, will need to apply to ASQA should they wish to offer the updated qualification.

Reflecting the critical role this qualification plays in assuring quality in the VET sector, all applications for this qualification will undergo enhanced scrutiny by ASQA. The application process will include strengthened evidence requirements including requiring comprehensive training and assessment strategies and copies of previous assessment records. In some circumstances, restrictions may be placed on RTOs as to how the qualification is delivered.

More advice on how to apply for registration for the new Cert IV TAE will be published on the ASQA website shortly.