Australian Centre for Advanced Studies

Standard 4. Accurate and accessible information about an RTO, its services and performance is available to inform prospective and current learners and clients.

ACAS already does this through its website and its policies and procedures. However, local sites might not comply.

The standards do not require RTOs to put all information on their websites. The SRTO also does not specify the means of providing information, although 5.2. the information should be "in print or through referral to an electronic copy" that is, in writing.

Standard Comments

4.1 Information, whether disseminated directly by the RTO or on its behalf, is both accurate and factual, and:
ACAS member colleges have sometimes produced their own literature without the knowledge of ACAS. Non-compliances are not rare. In the worst cases, auditors might have to require auditees to withdraw expensive printed materials and website statements.

a) accurately represents the services it provides and the training products on its scope of registration; See standard 5
The standards do not require RTOs to put all information on their websites.
It does not say that RTO's must advertise all NRT programs, but that when they do, they must do so in compliance with the Standards.

b) includes its RTO Code; Include ACAS provider number: 50392

c) refers to another person or organisation in its marketing material only if the consent of that person or organisation has been obtained; As a general principle, do not refer to another people or organisations in marketing material.
To be safe, get a signed clearance from all persons and organisations, including staff.
The SRTO does not specifically cover the use of stock photos, where a photo agency owns the image. Best advice so far: Keep a copy of the licence, even if it is a free-to-use licence.

d) uses the NRT Logo only in accordance with the conditions of use specified in Schedule 4;
It is simpler not to use the NRT logo at all.
Nobody is required to use the logo. The point is that, if one does, then one must follow the rules.

e) makes clear where a third party is recruiting prospective learners for the RTO on its behalf; An ACAS auspicee is already a third party so it needs to identify itself as such.
Do not to use other third parties as recruiters.

f) distinguishes where it is delivering training and assessment on behalf of another RTO or where training and assessment is being delivered on its behalf by a third party; It is simpler to offer only ACAS qualfications.

g) distinguishes between nationally recognised training and assessment leading to the issuance of AQF certification documentation from any other training or assessment delivered by the RTO; Distinguish clearly between AQF qualifications and other training/assessment (e.g. ESL)

h) includes the code and title of any training product, as published on the National Register, referred to in that information; When giving the qualification title, include the code, the hyphen and the full title. Do not replace "and" with "&" or create other versions of the name of the qualification.
The national register actually uses at least two different forms (below) and I have heard there is a third. For example:
"CHC42015 - Certificate IV in Community Services" (Main page, with hyphen)
"CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services" (PDF cover, without hyphen)

i) only advertises or markets a non-current training product while it remains on the RTO’s scope of registration; Do not advertise non-current qualifications. Check the TGA.

j) only advertises or markets that a training product it delivers will enable learners to obtain a licensed or regulated outcome where this has been confirmed by the industry regulator in the jurisdiction in which it is being advertised; N/a. (ACAS has no qualifications for licensed or regulated outcomes)

k) includes details about any VET FEE-HELP, government funded subsidy or other financial support arrangements associated with the RTO’s provision of training and assessment; and Mention Austudy, but no other government benefits. (FeeHelp rules have changed and it is now available for only a limited range of qualifications.)

l) does not guarantee that:

i) a learner will successfully complete a training product on its scope of registration; or Do not guarantee that students will pass.

ii) a training product can be completed in a manner which does not meet the requirements of Clause 1.1 and 1.2; or
No extra requirement if compliant with section 1

iii) a learner will obtain a particular employment outcome where this is outside the control of the RTO. Do not promise that students will get a job. You can, however, mention the kinds of jobs that students will be trained to apply for.

When the employer provides training, students already have a job but you can’t promise a promotion.

Standard	Comments
4.1 Information, whether disseminated directly by the RTO or on its behalf, is both accurate and factual, and:	ACAS member colleges have sometimes produced their own literature without the knowledge of ACAS. Non-compliances are not rare. In the worst cases, auditors might have to require auditees to withdraw expensive printed materials and website statements.
a) accurately represents the services it provides and the training products on its scope of registration;	See standard 5 The standards do not require RTOs to put all information on their websites. It does not say that RTO's must advertise all NRT programs, but that when they do, they must do so in compliance with the Standards.
b) includes its RTO Code;	Include ACAS provider number: 50392
c) refers to another person or organisation in its marketing material only if the consent of that person or organisation has been obtained;	As a general principle, do not refer to another people or organisations in marketing material. To be safe, get a signed clearance from all persons and organisations, including staff. The SRTO does not specifically cover the use of stock photos, where a photo agency owns the image. Best advice so far: Keep a copy of the licence, even if it is a free-to-use licence.
d) uses the NRT Logo only in accordance with the conditions of use specified in Schedule 4;	It is simpler not to use the NRT logo at all. Nobody is required to use the logo. The point is that, if one does, then one must follow the rules.
e) makes clear where a third party is recruiting prospective learners for the RTO on its behalf;	An ACAS auspicee is already a third party so it needs to identify itself as such. Do not to use other third parties as recruiters.
f) distinguishes where it is delivering training and assessment on behalf of another RTO or where training and assessment is being delivered on its behalf by a third party;	It is simpler to offer only ACAS qualfications.
g) distinguishes between nationally recognised training and assessment leading to the issuance of AQF certification documentation from any other training or assessment delivered by the RTO;	Distinguish clearly between AQF qualifications and other training/assessment (e.g. ESL)
h) includes the code and title of any training product, as published on the National Register, referred to in that information;	When giving the qualification title, include the code, the hyphen and the full title. Do not replace "and" with "&" or create other versions of the name of the qualification. The national register actually uses at least two different forms (below) and I have heard there is a third. For example: "CHC42015 - Certificate IV in Community Services" (Main page, with hyphen) "CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services" (PDF cover, without hyphen)
i) only advertises or markets a non-current training product while it remains on the RTO’s scope of registration;	Do not advertise non-current qualifications. Check the TGA.
j) only advertises or markets that a training product it delivers will enable learners to obtain a licensed or regulated outcome where this has been confirmed by the industry regulator in the jurisdiction in which it is being advertised;	N/a. (ACAS has no qualifications for licensed or regulated outcomes)
k) includes details about any VET FEE-HELP, government funded subsidy or other financial support arrangements associated with the RTO’s provision of training and assessment; and	Mention Austudy, but no other government benefits. (FeeHelp rules have changed and it is now available for only a limited range of qualifications.)
l) does not guarantee that:
i) a learner will successfully complete a training product on its scope of registration; or	Do not guarantee that students will pass.
ii) a training product can be completed in a manner which does not meet the requirements of Clause 1.1 and 1.2; or	No extra requirement if compliant with section 1
iii) a learner will obtain a particular employment outcome where this is outside the control of the RTO.	Do not promise that students will get a job. You can, however, mention the kinds of jobs that students will be trained to apply for. When the employer provides training, students already have a job but you can’t promise a promotion.