Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Standard 1

The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) is an update of the old ARF standard for RTOs. Implementation of the change began in June 2001, but until January 2002 use of the updated standard was optional for registrations and renewals. By 1 July 2002, all RTOs are required by ANTA to comply with the new standard.  

(HCi is currently offering a consulting package which will help RTOs to cope with the changes.  Although the changes will be major for many organisations, a well planned and resourced implementation can implement them painlessly.)

AQTF Standard 1 is based on the ISO 9001:2000 Standard. This article sets out the ways in which the new standard is similar to, and differs from the ISO standard. (Although ANTA has already published a document which covers this, the ANTA document gives a lot less detail).

The purpose of this article is to help people who are already familiar with ISO 9000:2000 to understand the AQTF Standard 1 requirements. The remaining sections of this article refer to the paragraphs under Standard 1 of the AQTF Standards for RTOs.

1.1 Written policies and procedures, circulated and understood

This is broadly the same as the ISO requirement. Although there are legalistic differences between them (AQTF calls for written procedures which are implemented, ISO calls for a quality system which ensures customer satisfaction) the outcome will generally be the same: a set of written policies and procedures which people within the organisation actually use.

ISO 9001:2000 clauses which relate: 4.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.2.2

Practical implementation: written policies and procedures, implementation programme

1.2 Designate

Although this clause seems to be about delegation of authority to a Quality manager / Compliance manager, its structure actually includes several organisational requirements:

• supplier management
• external audit liaison (absent from ISO)
• management review
• registering body liaison, including reporting of such things as financial difficulties (absent from ISO)

The corresponding parts of the ISO Standard are those dealing with the Management representative (usually called a Quality manager in practice), management review and purchasing (supplier management).

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 5.5.2, 5.5.3, 5.6, 7.4

Practical implementation: compliance manager role defined in duty statement; the compliance manager needs to be someone with senior management experience and skills (not merely administration skills)

1.3 Organisation chart, duty statements

This corresponds almost exactly to ISO clause 5.5.1.

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 5.5.1

Practical implementation: organisation chart, duty statements; procedures need to reference roles as described in these

1.4 Internal audit

Internal audit in AQTF is more or less identical with that in ISO; the additional requirements stated in the ISO standard are covered by the ISO 1011-1 Standard (quoted as AS 3911:1 in AQTF).

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 8.2.2

Practical implementation: internal audit procedure and training; see our audit implementation materials

1.5 Complaints handling

This has no direct correspondence in ISO, although there are similarities to 8.2.1 (monitoring and measurement of customer satisfaction).

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 8.2.1

Practical implementation: complaints handling procedure and log; education of staff

1.6 Written agreements

This corresponds more or less with 7.4.1 (supplier assessment) and 7.4.2 (purchase specifications) but is a lot more specific to the needs of an RTO.

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 7.4.1, 7.4.2

Practical implementation: written agreements and log

1.7 Business plan

This corresponds partly to 5.4 (planning), but talks about a business plan, rather than plans for quality. This reflects the AQTF's coverage of the financial and other business aspects of the RTO - the ISO standard does not really care about financial planning, except as it affects product or service quality.

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 5.4

Practical implementation: business plan; should be reviewed/updated on a regular basis, and records of reviews kept

1.8 Risk management, correction and prevention of compliance

There's an interesting academic argument about the similarities and differences between risk management and preventive action. In practice, the result will be the same: a change to a process which makes it less likely that a serious problem will occur. The major difference is whether formal risk management methods, or informal quality improvement methods are used to identify potential serious problems.

The equivalent clauses are under ISO 8.5.2 and 8.5.3 (corrective and preventive action).

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 8.5.2, 8.5.3

Practical implementation: written policies and procedures for corrective and preventive action, risk management

1.9 Feedback, review of feedback

This is equivalent to ISO 8.2.1 (monitoring and measurement of customer satisfaction) plus 5.6.2b (management review of customer feedback), except that 'stakeholder' is used in addition to 'customer'.

Stakeholders might include: students' parents (particularly if they are paying), unions, local schools and businesses, suppliers and so on

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 8.2.1, 5.6.2b

Practical implementation: regular surveys of stakeholders; feedback forms from students; formal documented review of the results; procedures for all of these

1.10 Continuous improvement

The first part of this ("acting on opportunities for improvement") is equivalent to 8.5.2/3 (corrective and preventive action), while the second part ("continuous improvement") is equivalent to 8.5.1 (continual improvement).

ISO 9000:2000 clauses which relate: 8.5

Practical implementation: corrective action system; procedures for continuous improvement

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