Introduction
The Compliance Policy has been formulated by the National College of Australia (NCOA) as we are committed to providing high-quality training and assessment to our learners in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025. This policy has been developed taking cognisance of NCOA’s values and its mission statement. NCOA has developed this policy in consultation with Industry Skills Councils and in accordance with Commonwealth and State legislation and all relevant regulatory requirements. Staff are invited to contribute suggestions and feedback to assist in shaping and reviewing this policy. NCOA may choose to make additional workplace instructions available to support this policy.
The Australian Blockchain Association (ABA) partners with NCOA, the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), to market and promote accredited courses in emerging technologies, including the Course in Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology, Certificate III in Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology, Diploma in Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology, and Certificate III in Artificial Intelligence.
Purpose
- To ensure that the standard of training and assessment practices delivered by NCOA meet the compliance and quality requirements of training packages and/or VET accredited courses.
- To ensure that NCOA practices meet the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025.
- To outline compliance obligations and expected responsibilities for staff have been communicated effectively.
- To ensure the integrity of the VET sector.
- To identify how compliance practices are in line with the objectives of the business outlined in the Strategic Organisational Plan.
- To establish compliance monitoring practices.
- To communicate to staff the emphasis NCOA places on meeting compliance requirements.
- To ensure NCOA is legally compliant with the VET Regulator at all times.
- To ensure NCOA conducts its operations in accordance with ASQA.
- To ensure NCOA complies with the relevant Commonwealth, State, and Territory legislation and regulatory requirements.
- To ensure staff and learners are informed of any changes to legislation and regulatory requirements relevant to NCOA operations.
- To ensure NCOA provides accurate and current information as required by the Data Provision Requirements.
- To outline how compliance breaches will be dealt with.
The compliance policy provides guidelines to all individuals including but not limited to:
- Staff members
- Learners
- Volunteers
NCOA monitors compliance across the following areas:
- Marketing
- Legislation
- Certification, Issuing of results and Accreditation
- Fees and Funding
- Access and equality
- Applications for enrolment
- Training and Assessment
- Communication
- Record keeping
- Management Systems
- Insurance
- Financial Management
NCOA will endeavour to implement and monitor compliance practices to ensure that the standard of training and assessment practices delivered by NCOA meets the compliance and quality requirements of training packages and the VET Quality Framework.
- NCOA’s training and assessment resources and procedures will maintain a high standard of compliance with the VET E-standards for Training at all times.
- NCOA will ensure quality mapping of all units on its courses is undertaken when third-party resources are used.
- NCOA will update the Training and Assessment Strategies accordingly.
- The principal is responsible for the implementation, communication of, monitoring, and assessing of compliance practices and procedures in line with national VET requirements.
- The principal is responsible for notifying staff of any changes to regulatory requirements and/or legislation within a sufficient timeframe. All staff and learners are informed of changes to legislative and regulatory requirements that affect the services delivered.
- The principal is responsible for ensuring NCOA’s practices are in line with the Commonwealth National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 and the Queensland Vocational Education and Training Act 2012.
- NCOA will maintain and supply appropriate information and be responsible for all communication to registering and governing bodies, statutory memberships, and legal bodies such as ASQA and the VET Regulator.
NCOA cooperates with the VET Regulator to ensure it is legally compliant at all times by:
- Providing accurate and truthful responses to information requests from the VET Regulator relevant to the RTO’s registration.
- Cooperating with the VET Regulator in the conduct of audits and the monitoring of its operations.
- Providing quality/performance indicator data.
- Providing information about substantial changes to its operations or any event that would significantly affect the RTO’s ability to comply with these standards within 90 calendar days of the change occurring.
- Providing information about significant changes to its ownership within 90 calendar days of the change occurring.
- Cooperating with the VET Regulator in the retention, archiving, retrieval, and transfer of records.
- Notifying the regulator of any written agreement entered into under the relevant clauses for the delivery of services on its behalf within 30 calendar days of that agreement being entered into or prior to the obligations under the agreement taking effect, whichever occurs first; and notifying the regulator within 30 calendar days of the agreement coming to an end.
- Providing an annual declaration on compliance with these Standards to the VET Regulator and in particular whether it:
- Currently meets the requirements of the Standards across all its scope of registration and has met the requirements of the Standards for all AQF certification documentation it has issued in the previous 12 months; and
- Has training and assessment strategies and practices in place that ensure that all current and prospective learners will be trained and assessed in accordance with the requirements of the Standards.
Third-Party Arrangements
In accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025 (particularly Standards relating to accountability and third-party services, such as those outlined in the Practice Guide for Accountability), NCOA engages third parties for specific services to enhance its operations while maintaining full responsibility for compliance.
Currently, NCOA has a third-party arrangement with the Australian Blockchain Association (ABA) for marketing services. This arrangement supports the promotion of NCOA’s accredited programmes, focusing on practical applications in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence (AI), including explorations into neobanking services or hybrid centralised/decentralised exchange (CEX/DEX) services to facilitate on-chain activities without full asset custody.
To ensure compliance:
- A formal written agreement is in place with ABA, clearly defining the scope of marketing services, responsibilities, and compliance obligations.
- NCOA notified ASQA of this agreement within 30 calendar days of it being entered into, as required under the 2025 Standards.
- NCOA maintains oversight of ABA’s marketing activities to ensure all information provided to prospective learners is accurate, ethical, and compliant with the Standards (e.g., avoiding misleading claims and aligning with NCOA’s scope of registration).
- Regular monitoring and audits of third-party activities are conducted, including reviews of marketing materials for accuracy and relevance to courses such as those in blockchain fundamentals, cryptocurrency mechanics, and AI algorithms.
- NCOA ensures that ABA adheres to privacy, data protection, and other regulatory requirements, with provisions for immediate rectification of any non-compliance.
- In the event of any changes or termination of the agreement, NCOA will notify ASQA within 30 calendar days.
- Should NCOA enter into additional third-party arrangements in the future (e.g., for delivery or assessment services), similar compliance measures will apply, including formal agreements, ASQA notifications, and ongoing monitoring to uphold the integrity of training and assessment.
NCOA ensures that all third-party arrangements do not compromise its accountability for the quality of training, assessment, and learner outcomes, as per the 2025 RTO Standards.
NCOA will ensure that version control is applied to all operational information and training and assessment materials that relate to its scope of registration in order to manage their accuracy and integrity. As all relevant information is reviewed or updated, it will then be implemented with a new version number and a date. All revised documents that are no longer used will be stored in the archived folder. All stakeholders are advised of the revised version release by email notification. The principal is responsible for ensuring internal audits are conducted in accordance with NCOA’s Internal Audit Policy.
In line with the 2025 RTO Standards’ emphasis on digital integration, NCOA incorporates AI-enhanced tools for compliance monitoring, such as automated checks on marketing materials and assessment mappings, to support continuous improvement in our education offerings. For enquiries, contact the ABA team today.