Department of Training and Workforce Development: Legislation, policy and guidelines

The Department of Training and Workforce Development manages the State 黑料正能量鈥檚 investment in vocational education and training, and builds the Western Australian workforce for the future.
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This work is carried out across the sector in accordance with relevant legislation and our own policy framework developed through stakeholder engagement and consultation.

Policy and guidelines

We have developed a range of policy documents and guidelines that support and relate to the Department鈥檚 role as WA's State Training Authority, with responsibility for administering the State鈥檚 VET system. This includes managing the investment of public resources to provide a quality training system. 

View all our policy documents here


Legislation

The VET Act

The Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 (the VET Act) prescribes how the VET system operates in Western Australia. Its main objectives are to:

  • establish a State training system for the effective and efficient provision of vocational education and training to meet the immediate and future needs of industry and the community;
  • provide for the recognition of vocational education and training, training providers, qualifications and skills;
  • provide a means by which the State is able to meet its obligations under national arrangements relating to vocational education and training;
  • promote equality of opportunity to undertake vocational education and training;
  • provide for research and development for the purposes of vocational education and training; and
  • allow for the operation of an open and competitive training market in this State.

The VET Act, under Part 5, also prescribes the establishment and functions of WA鈥檚 TAFE colleges, and under Part 7 the obtaining of VET qualifications including the registration and administration of training contracts for the apprenticeship and traineeship system in Western Australia.

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Regulations

In WA, the Regulations relevant to VET are the Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 and the Vocational Education and Training (Colleges) Regulations 1996.

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Statutory bodies, advisory groups and training regulation

Under the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, the following bodies have been established.

WA State Training Board

The State Training Board is a statutory body established by Part 3 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, and is the peak industry training advisory body to the Education and Training Minister in WA.

The Board comprises members appointed by the Minister for their industry expertise and their ability to make a high level contribution to the strategic direction of the State's vocational education and training system.

A key function of the Board includes the preparation of the State Training Plan that provides a four year outlook into Western Australia鈥檚 skills needs and priorities.

Further information about the State Training Board

Industry training advisory bodies

Under section 21(1)(b) of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, the State Training Board recognises various industry training advisory bodies from which the Board takes advice.

Under section 21(1)(b) of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 the State Training Board recognises various industry training advisory bodies from which the Board takes advice for the purpose of drafting a State training plan or making recommendations to the Minister on apprenticeships and traineeships.

The State Training Board currently recognises 11 industry training advisory bodies:

  • nine industry training councils (ITCs) funded by the Department of Training and Workforce Development;
  • the Public Sector Commission for advice on State 黑料正能量 Administration; and
  • the WA Local 黑料正能量 Association (WALGA) for advice on Local 黑料正能量 Administration.

A full list of WA ITCs is available on the WA State Training Board website.

The Training Accreditation Council

TAC is Western Australia鈥檚 independent statutory body for the quality assurance and recognition of vocational education and training (VET) services. 

Established as per Part 4 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, TAC is Western Australia鈥檚 independent statutory body for the quality assurance and recognition of vocational education and training (VET) services. TAC鈥檚 key responsibilities include the:

  • registration of WA training providers delivering nationally recognised VET training in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015; and
  • accreditation of VET courses under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

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