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’s role as WA's State Training Authority, with responsibility for administering the State’s 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’s 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.
You can view the full VET Act document here
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.
You can view both of these Regulations here
There's also Regulations that relate to TAFE colleges available here
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
Show moreThe 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’s skills needs and priorities.
Industry training advisory bodies
Show moreUnder 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 Government Administration; and
- the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) for advice on Local Government Administration.
A full list of WA ITCs is available on the WA State Training Board website.
The Training Accreditation Council
Show moreEstablished as per Part 4 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, TAC is Western Australia’s independent statutory body for the quality assurance and recognition of vocational education and training (VET) services. TAC’s 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).
