ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POLICY

RELEVANT STANDARD: Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025 Standard 1 – Clause 1.7.

PURPOSE

RAS Training & Services is committed to providing additional support services to meet the individual needs of students undertaking training and assessment. This policy ensures that mechanisms are in place to identify, document, and address any support requirements that go beyond standard services. The aim is to ensure that students have access to the necessary educational and support services to meet the requirements of the training product as specified in training packages or VET accredited courses. This policy also takes into consideration the students’ existing skills, knowledge, and experience in relation to the relevant vocational competency.

POLICY PRINCIPLES

RAS Training & Services follows the principles outlined below to address additional support needs.

Assessment of Need and Identifying Additional Support

  1. Prior to enrolment, eligible students are asked to provide information regarding any additional support requirements. This information is collected through the Enrolment Form and Pre-Enrolment Assessment Form, which allows students to identify and disclose any language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) issues, disabilities, or impairments that may impact their ability to study.
  2. RAS Training & Services conducts an assessment of need before enrolment or commencement of training, ensuring that it is done as early as possible. Any identified support needs are managed accordingly.
  3. Support needs may also be identified and addressed at the time of enrolment or during the delivery of training.
  4. The results of the assessment of need are documented and reflected in the students training records.
  5. The assessment of need may include:
    1. Eligibility assessment to determine the student’s suitability for the course.
    2. LLN skills assessment to ascertain the appropriateness of the qualification and proposed learning strategies and materials.
    3. Determining the most suitable qualification based on the student’s existing educational attainment and capabilities.
    4. Offering Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) when applicable, explaining credit transfer obligations, and identifying relevant competencies previously achieved.
    5. Assessing the need for additional support.
    6. Identifying actions or strategies to address identified needs, including adjustments to the learning program, delivery, and materials to improve retention and completion outcomes.

Access to Educational Support Services

  1. RAS Training & Services ensures that individual students have access to the necessary educational and support services to meet the requirements of the training product.
  2. Students are informed about recognition opportunities before training begins, and adequate information, support, and opportunities are provided for them to engage in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process when applicable.
  3. If additional costs are required to provide additional support, students are notified and provided with information prior to enrolment.
  4. Students are informed of any limitations to the additional support that can be provided by RAS Training & Services, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their training.

 

Provision for Reasonable Adjustment

  1. If a student discloses any disability or impairment that may impact their studies, RAS Training & Services reviews the provided information and, if necessary, contacts the student to determine their additional support requirements.
  2. Reasonable adjustments are arranged for training or assessment tasks where appropriate, ensuring that the integrity of the training package requirements is maintained.
  3. RAS Training & Services works with the students to determine reasonable access to training facilities, materials, and resources to support their studies.
  4. External assistance may be sought, if needed, to ensure the availability of additional support services.

 

Determining the Amount of Learning

RAS Training & Services takes into account each student’s skills and experiences relevant to the vocational competencies when developing their learning plans. The amount and level of training required are determined based on the procedures outlined in the Upfront Assessment of Need procedural document.

 

Access and Equity

RAS Training & Services does not discriminate against any student enrolling or engaging in a course. Students are advised on how they can obtain support for any additional needs and are informed about the limitations of support provided. The decision to proceed with enrolment is ultimately left to the student.

 

Records Management

  1. RAS Training & Services documents the assessment of need for each student in their student record.
  2. All documents and reports related to a student’s individual record are retained following enrolment.

 

MONITORING AND IMPROVEMENT

The responsible personnel, such as the administration staff and trainers, are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Student Enrolment Policy and Processes. Enrolment practices are monitored, and areas for improvement are identified and discussed during Continuous Improvement Meetings.

Feedback from students and employers (if applicable) is encouraged and incorporated into the continuous improvement process of RAS Training & Services.

Students have the right to lodge a complaint or appeal an enrolment decision in accordance with RAS Training & Services’ Complaints and Appeals Policy.

 

 ANNEX A: LLN SUPPORT SERVICES

Students with LLN issues may be referred to the following services to discuss additional LLN support:

 

  1. Reading Writing Hotline

Phone: 1300 655 506

Website: http://readingwritinghotline.edu.au

 

  1. Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL)

Phone: (03) 9546 6892

Website: http://www.acal.edu.au/index.htm

 

  1. NSW Adult Literacy and Numeracy Council (NSWALNC)

Phone: (02) 9514 3478

Website: www.nswalnc.org.au