Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) in Accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994 and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006

Victorian Registration and Qualiﬁ cations Authority ANNUAL REPORT 2007_08 October 2008 The Hon. Bronwyn Pike, MP Minister for Education 2 Treasury Place East Melbourne Victoria 3002 Dear Minister I am pleased to submit to you the first annual report of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994 and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. This annual report notes the operations of the VRQA during the past year and reflects the achievements, commitment and vision of the Board and staff. Yours sincerely Stuart Hamilton, AO CHAIR Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority The Hon. Jacinta Allan, MP Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Dear Minister I am pleased to submit to you the first annual report of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994 and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. This annual report notes the operations of the VRQA during the past year and reflects the achievements, commitment and vision of the Board and staff. Yours sincerely Stuart Hamilton, AO CHAIR Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority All Victorians, irrespective of the education and training institution they attend, where they live or their social or economic status, should have access to a high-quality education. Organisation Report of Report of the The VRQA Summary of Summary of Acronyms and Contents chart as at Achievements Financial report Appendices the Chair Director at a glance financial results achievements abbreviations 30 June 2008 Contents Report of the Chair 4 Report of the Director 5 The VRQA at a glance 6 Establishment 6 Functions and responsibilities 6 Ministerial Directions 8 Stakeholder relationships 8 Delegations 9 The VRQA Board 9 VRQA staff 14 Organisation chart as at 30 June 2008 16 Summary of financial results 17 Summary of achievements 18 Achievements 20 Quality assurance 20 Quality framework 28 Corporate services 32 Financial report 36 Appendices 58 1 Wider policy frameworks 58 2 Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 60 3 Disclosure index 62 Acronyms and abbreviations 64 Contents 3 Organisation Organisation Report of Report of the The VRQA Summary of Summary of Acronyms and Report of Report of the The VRQA Summary of Summary of Acronyms and Contents chart as at Achievements Financial report Appendices Contents chart as at Achievements Financial report Appendices the Chair Director at a glance financial results achievements abbreviations the Chair Director at a glance financial results achievements abbreviations 30 June 2008 30 June 2008 Report of the Chair The Government’s expectations of the VRQA • providing meaningful and accurate were set out in the Ministerial Statement: information about qualifications and Expectations for the Victorian Registration and registered education and training providers. Qualifications Authority that accompanied the The VRQA has contributed to discussion Education and Training Reform Act 2006. of new directions in the two Ministers’ One of the main expectations was that portfolio activities through the Department of the VRQA would demonstrate the new Education and Early Childhood Development’s approach to regulation that is the aim of both consultation on the Blueprint for Education Commonwealth and State governments. and Early Childhood Development, and the This contemporary approach is characterised Skills Victoria consultation on Skills Reform – securing our future economic prosperity. by transparency in dealings with those entities being regulated, an emphasis on The VRQA has demonstrated its commitment quality assurance rather than quality control to an expanding and changing education and and minimising duplication of regulatory training environment through its participation requirements. In its first year of operation, in national consultation forums in relation to the VRQA has come to grips with how this vocational education and training and higher approach to regulation is translated into education. The VRQA has approached these practice. Consultation with stakeholders to consultations at national and state level with develop a joint understanding and shared an understanding of the need to be mindful commitment to this approach has been a of regulatory practice and maintenance major focus for our work. of standards in implementing new policy developments. Underpinning the Government’s The VRQA is the first authority of its kind in acknowledgement of the diversity in education Australia and the Government’s vision of and training provision was another major bringing together regulatory functions across expectation: the right of Victorians to have all sectors of education and training has been access to meaningful information that leads realised in the achievements of the VRQA to informed choice. The Ministerial Statement this year. indicated that the VRQA State Register was expected to fulfil this function and work has It has been a challenging first year for the been progressing steadily on its development VRQA and a great deal has been achieved. during our first year. I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their work on the Board and In discharging its mandate to deliver an sub-committees and the Director and staff of efficient and effective regulatory framework the VRQA for their contribution to successful for education in Victoria, the VRQA has set implementation of the priorities of the VRQA. priorities in relation to the following areas: • ensuring that all Victorian education and training providers meet minimum standards • developing a risk-based and integrated Stuart Hamilton, AO quality assurance regime CHAIR 4 VRQA Annual Report 2007—08 Organisation Organisation Report of Report of the The VRQA Summary of Summary of Acronyms and Report of Report of the The VRQA Summary of Summary of Acronyms and Contents chart as at Achievements Financial report Appendices Contents chart as at Achievements Financial report Appendices the Chair Director at a glance financial results achievements abbreviations the Chair Director at a glance financial results achievements abbreviations 30 June 2008 30 June 2008 Report of the Director The year 2007–08 has been an establishment These developments have necessitated year for the VRQA. The work of the office has the development of business processes, focused on the delivery of registration and information services, a website, service accreditation activities across all sectors of standards and relationships with education education and training, from home schooling and training providers. to higher education. Major achievements During 2007 the Education and Training have included: Reform Act 2006 was amended and now • development and implementation of requires the VRQA to take responsibility for registration guidelines for schools the approval of overseas secondary student • introduction of the Australian Quality exchange organisations and the introduction of Training Framework (AQTF) 2007 for all Anaphylaxis Management plans in all schools. registered training organisations (RTOs) The Act was also amended to permit the • implementation of the new National registration of home schooling students of up Protocols for Higher Education Approval to 18 years of age and increased the Board Processes (National Protocols) membership to not more than 13 members, • implementation of the new National Code allowing that one member would be the of Practice for Registration Authorities and Secretary of the Department of Innovation, Providers of Education and Training to Industry and Regional Development or Overseas Students 2007 (National Code) nominee. for the regulation of education and training I wish to thank Stuart Hamilton and all Board delivery to overseas students and Committee members for their commitment • successful trialling of the Credit Matrix with and clear direction during our first year stakeholders of operation. • implementation of new fees and services across all sectors • initiation of provider information sessions across all sectors Lynn Glover • relocation of the VRQA office to new Director premises • development of a coordinated communications strategy • establishment of a dedicated Complaints Unit • participation on a number of Commonwealth –State regulatory committees. Report of the Director 5 Organisation Organisation Report of Report of the The VRQA Summary of Summary of Acronyms and Report of Report of the The VRQA Summary of Summary of Acronyms and Contents chart as at Achievements Financial report Appendices Contents chart as at Achievements Financial report Appendices the Chair Director at a glance financial results achievements abbreviations the Chair Director at a glance financial results achievements abbreviations 30 June 2008 30 June 2008 The VRQA at a glance The VRQA was created under the Education secondary education providers and awarding and Training Reform Act 2006 and its aims bodies, the registration of home schooling, were set out in the Ministerial Statement of and the registration of education and training Expectations: organisations. The regulations came into effect on 1 July 2007 when the Act was proclaimed. To develop a consistent and flexible The VRQA’s key purposes are to ensure that regulatory framework that will apply to all all providers of education and training, in all sectors, meet quality standards and that Victorian education and training providers, information is

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