Victorian Current Acts

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Previous] [Next] [Download] [Help]

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REFORM ACT 2006 - SECT 4.2.2

Functions of Authority

    (1)     The functions of the Authority are to—

        (a)     register Government and non-Government schools;

S. 4.2.2(1)(ab) inserted by No. 33/2020 s. 6(1)(a).

        (ab)     register school boarding premises;

        (b)     register students for home schooling;

        (c)     accredit courses and register qualifications (including qualifications developed outside Australia);

        (d)     authorise providers to deliver accredited courses;

        (e)     authorise providers and organisations to award registered qualifications;

        (f)     approve providers of specified courses for overseas students;

S. 4.2.2(1)(fa) inserted by No. 58/2007 s. 21.

        (fa)     approve persons, organisations (including education or training organisations) and registered schools to operate student exchange programs;

S. 4.2.2(1)(fb) inserted by No. 71/2010 s. 5(1), amended by No. 37/2015 s. 13(1).

        (fb)     assess and reassess from time to time the financial capability of registered providers and registered non-Government schools;

        (g)     exercise the powers of the Authority to ensure that minimum standards are maintained—

              (i)     by providers and organisations it has registered; and

              (ii)     in home schooling;

S. 4.2.2
(1)(gaa) inserted by No. 23/2021 s. 56(1).

        (gaa)     in relation to relevant entities for which the Authority is an integrated sector regulator

              (i)     provide education, information and advice on the Child Safe Standards to promote consistency in child safety outcomes; and

              (ii)     investigate, monitor and enforce compliance with the Child Safe Standards by relevant entities for which it is an integrated sector regulator; and

              (iii)     collect, analyse and publish information and data regarding compliance with the Child Safe Standards by those relevant entities and provide that information and data to the Commission for Children and Young People as required; and

              (iv)     promote continuous improvement by relevant entities in relation to the safety of children, the prevention of child abuse and the proper response to allegations of child abuse;

S. 4.2.2
(1)(gaab) inserted by No. 23/2021 s. 56(1).

        (gaab)     exchange information and collaborate with persons and bodies in relation to the safety of children and compliance with the Child Safe Standards;

S. 4.2.2
(1)(gaac) inserted by No. 23/2021 s. 56(1).

        (gaac)     work collaboratively with the Commission for Children and Young People, sector regulators and other integrated sector regulators in relation to the safety of children and compliance with the Child Safe Standards;

S. 4.2.2(1)(ga) inserted by No. 39/2012 s. 3(1).

        (ga)     exercise the powers of the Authority in relation to the regulation of apprentices and related matters;

S. 4.2.2(1)(h) substituted by No. 85/2009 s. 3(1).

        (h)     ensure the public availability of meaningful and accurate information about—

              (i)     registered education and training organisations and their compliance with the requirements of this Chapter and any standards prescribed by the regulations; and

              (ii)     persons or bodies (other than schools) whose registration, approval or authorisation under Division 3, 4 or 5 of Part 4.3 has been cancelled or suspended (which may include the names and positions of the owners, directors, partners, high managerial agents or principal executive officer (as the case requires) of those persons or bodies) and the reasons for that cancellation or suspension; and

              (iii)     persons or bodies (other than schools) whose approval under Part 4.5 has been cancelled or suspended (which may include the names and positions of the owners, directors, partners, high managerial agents or principal executive officer (as the case requires) of those persons or bodies) and the reasons for that cancellation or suspension;

              (i)     maintain a State Register that includes––

              (i)     accredited courses and qualifications;

              (ii)     registered schools and the year levels or curriculum programs a registered school is authorised to deliver;

S. 4.2.2(1)
(i)(iia) inserted by No. 33/2020 s. 6(1)(b).

        (iia)     registered school boarding premises;

              (iii)     registered education and training organisations and the accredited courses for which they are registered;

              (iv)     registered education and training organisations and the registered qualifications they are authorised to award or issue;

              (v)     authorised providers of courses of study leading to a higher education award and accredited courses of study in higher education;

              (vi)     Universities deemed to be approved under Part 4.3;

              (viii)     institutions approved to operate as Universities under Part 4.3;

        (j)     register on the State Register and National Register

              (i)     approved providers of vocational education and training and further education;

              (ii)     accredited courses in vocational education and training and further education;

        (k)     conduct audits of education or training organisations;

        (l)     enter into arrangements with other agencies for those agencies to develop and modify courses;

        (m)     consult as it considers appropriate with education bodies and other persons or bodies to monitor the framework of accredited courses and qualifications and linkages between qualifications or parts of qualifications and advise the Minister about the effectiveness of the framework;

        (n)     as directed by the Minister, provide advice on policies, criteria and standards for the accreditation of courses and the registration of qualifications;

S. 4.2.2(1)(na) inserted by No. 71/2010 s. 5(2), substituted by No. 37/2015 s. 13(2).

        (na)     protect the interests of students as consumers of education or training services, whether delivered in schools or by providers of vocational education and training, further education, higher education or technical and further education;

S. 4.2.2(1)(nb) inserted by No. 71/2010 s. 5(2), amended by Nos 39/2012 s. 3(2), 33/2020 s. 6(1)(c).

        (nb)     monitor compliance with, and enforce, the requirements relating to the provision of education or training or school boarding premises in this Chapter or relating to apprentices under Part 5.5;

S. 4.2.2(1)(nc) inserted by No. 71/2010 s. 5(2).

        (nc)     investigate complaints against authorised officers;

S. 4.2.2(1)(nd) inserted by No. 31/2018 s. 55.

        (nd)     investigate complaints made against any of the following persons, bodies, schools or institutions in relation to a failure to comply with this Act, the regulations, a Ministerial Order or a condition of registration or approval—

              (i)     a person, body, school or institution registered or approved under Part 4.3 or 4.5A;

              (ii)     the parent responsible for the home schooling of a student registered under section 4.3.9;

S. 4.2.2(1)
(nd)(iii) inserted by No. 33/2020 s. 6(1)(d).

              (iii)     a provider of school boarding services;

S. 4.2.2(1)(o) substituted by No. 19/2008 s. 9.

        (o)     perform any other function conferred on or delegated to the Authority by or under this or any other Act.

    (2)     In addition to its functions under subsection (1), the Authority is responsible for—

S. 4.2.2(2)(a) amended by No. 33/2020 s. 6(2)(a).

        (a)     generally ensuring that minimum standards for the operation of Government and non‑Government schools and school boarding premises in Victoria are established, maintained and met and that the standards are regularly reviewed;

S. 4.2.2(2)(b) amended by No. 33/2020 s. 6(2)(b).

        (b)     administering policies and procedures for registration of Government and non‑Government schools and school boarding premises;

        (c)     making recommendations to the Minister about regulations to be made by the Governor in Council about—

              (i)     the minimum standards for registration, accreditation, endorsement, recognition, authorisation or approval under this Chapter;

              (ii)     the requirements for registration, accreditation, endorsement, recognition, authorisation or approval under this Chapter.

S. 4.2.2(3) inserted by No. 85/2009 s. 3(2), substituted by No. 71/2010 s. 5(3).

    (3)     In carrying out its functions under subsection (1)(d) and (f), the Authority is responsible for assessing whether providers or organisations are fit and proper persons or organisations to be registered or approved, having regard to the criteria set out in this Act, the regulations and any guidelines issued by the Authority.

S. 4.2.2(4) inserted by No. 23/2021 s. 56(2).

    (4)     In carrying out its functions under subsection (1)(gaa), (gaab) and (gaac) in respect of a relevant entity for which it is an integrated sector regulator, the Authority must consider the most effective means of promoting compliance by the relevant entity with the Child Safe Standards.

S. 4.2.2(5) inserted by No. 23/2021 s. 56(2).

    (5)     Without limiting subsection (1)(gaab), the Authority may exchange information and collaborate with persons and bodies with functions or powers under a law of another State, a Territory or the Commonwealth relating to the monitoring or enforcement of compliance with standards (however described) that correspond to the Child Safe Standards.



AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback