RTOs, Get Ready! Exciting Updates in Early Childhood Education and Construction

Heads up RTOs! Fresh updates are coming your way in the early childhood education and construction sectors. These regulatory changes affect the training packages for community services (CHC) and construction, plumbing, and services (CPC). Some have already kicked off in the first part of the year, while others are scheduled to roll out in the last quarter of 2023. If you’re offering training in CHC or CPC, it’s vital to stay in the loop about these updates.

CHC Training Package Updates: What’s New in Early Childhood Education?

In 2022, based on feedback from the 2019 National Quality Framework review, Education Ministers decided to update the NQF. This review involved detailed discussions with educators, families, and the community, helping guide these updates.

Phase One: Safer Journeys

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On 1 March 2023, the initial set of approved regulatory changes became active. This phase zeros in on ensuring children’s secure transportation by centre-based services.

An Evolution for Education for Phase Two

The second phase of CHC updates made its mark on 1 July 2023, taking a giant leap towards transformation by introducing some game-changing adjustments:

1. 1. 1. 1. Boosting Flexibility in the Workforce
            Addressing workforce challenges with a touch of flexibility. Services can now substitute educators for short periods during absences or resignations, maintaining a seamless learning experience for the kids
         2. Redefining Oversight for Enhanced Governance 
            Regulatory authorities are widening their scope to ensure better governance. It means enhancing the supervision of service providers through regulatory authorities by broadening the description of those in ‘management or control’ roles. This helps include those who greatly influence how services work. This cooperative strategy guarantees that the Education and Care Services National Law and the Family Assistance Law are aligned when evaluating service providers. 
         3. Streamlining Documentation for Efficiency
            Innovative changes are taking the lead in Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria, where Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) providers are reorienting towards program-level documentation. This strategic shift optimises processes, allowing them to focus on the broader educational program instead of individual child records.
         4. Empowering Family Day Care Services
            In a significant move, family day care (FDC) services with a year or more under their belt gain more flexibility. The update allows them to adjust their ratio of family daycare coordinators to educators. This alteration tackles workforce challenges head-on in the FDC sector. 
         5. Raising the Bar on Education Standards 
            The educational landscape gets a boost with a mandate that all FDC educators possess at least an approved certificate III level qualification before commencing their roles. There’s a grace period of up to a year for existing educators to complete their qualifications (except in South Australia, where this rule is already in play). This elevation promises a higher quality of education and care, raising the bar for excellence. 
         6. Equitable Fee Adjustments 
            Notably, there will be slight increases in specific fees. There’s also a new category that will delineate fees for ‘large’ and ‘very large’ services distinctly, marking the first such change since the launch of the NQF in 2012. 
         7. Amplifying Excellence Incentives  
            In a move to make excellence more attainable and less strenuous, services targeting an Excellent Rating now enjoy an extended approval period of five years, up from three. 
         8. Adopting Dynamic Learning Frameworks   
            As phase two unfurls, expect a set deadline in early 2024 for transitioning to the new versions of the national Approved Learning Frameworks. This transition enhances the learning experience. 

Phase Three: Stay Tuned for More Updates

Regulatory and legislative changes aren’t over! A third wave of modifications is slated for later in 2023.

For a comprehensive dive into these exciting changes, visit the 2019 NQF Review.

CPC Training Package Updates: Turning the Pages of the Construction Code

Australia’s technical design and construction standards hinge on the National Construction Code (NCC), and the 2022 edition, divided into NCC Volume 1, 2, and 3, is ushering in some significant updates. Here are the updates you should take note of:

Navigating the Construction Changes

1. 1. 1. 1. Bushfire Safety Takes Center Stage (From 1 May 2023)
            In response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires, new measures have been introduced to enhance safety for vulnerable occupants. Performance requirements, verification methods, and deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) criteria all contribute to added protection for buildings where evacuation might not be safe for occupants. However, it’s crucial to note that compliance isn’t a guarantee of absolute safety, recognising the complexities surrounding bushfire risks.
         2. Conquering Condensation Woes (Starting 1 October 2023)
            A dedicated focus on Zone 5, Toowoomba region, mandates the use of specific materials with specified vapour permeance to combat condensation issues.
         3. Elevating Early Childhood Centres (Commenced on 1 May 2023)
            With more high-rise buildings blending retail, offices, and parking, early childhood centres are finding their home in these structures. However, heightened attention is required due to the vulnerability of children. Changes focus on fire separation to establish secure spaces for children and occupants in emergencies before evacuation.
         4. Empowering Electric Vehicle Charging (Starting 1 October 2023)
            In an era of electric mobility, certain buildings with a minimum of 9 parking spaces must integrate electrical distribution boards for potential EV charging. The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) have categorised EV installations as a ‘special hazard’ due to battery fire risks. To ensure safety, the design requirements for this require collaboration among electrical, mechanical, and fire engineers.
         5. Embracing Energy Efficiency (Starting 1 October 2023)
            A higher bar is set for energy efficiency in Class 1 buildings, demanding a 7-star thermal performance according to the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) standards. For Class 2 buildings, an average thermal performance of 7 stars is mandated, with no individual sole occupancy unit falling below 6 stars.
            The DTS elemental table requirements have also been extended, and a “Whole of Home, annual energy usage budget” rule comes into play. This rule encompasses various energy-consuming elements in a home, from heating and cooling systems to lighting, swimming pool pumps, and more. While these changes bring significant benefits, they also come with challenges and costs, prompting suggestions of a delay in implementation by Master Builders.

The NCC 2022 version has undergone significant improvements to enhance user-friendliness, with a focus on digital accessibility and readability.

These changes to the NCC are all aimed at guaranteeing safety, sustainability, and user-friendliness for buildings across Australia.

Impact on CHC and CPC Training

These CHC and CPC updates will directly affect your RTO, so let’s dive into how they’ll impact your operations: 

For CHC Training Package: 

• Raising the Bar: The NQF changes mean a significant bump in early childhood education quality standards. Your RTO will need to provide training and qualifications that align with these upgraded requirements for educators. 
• Compliance Check: Tighter regulations require your training programs to meet the latest standards. This is vital for educators to meet the up-to-date qualifications and deliver top-tier early education. 
• Business Opportunities: Adapting your RTO to these changes can lead to increased demand for your training services. Offering programs that support up-to-date learning frameworks and quality standards can boost your growth. 
• Collaboration Potential: Forge partnerships with childcare centres construction companies, and others impacted by these changes. Your RTO can offer essential training and support to help them meet new requirements, promoting collaboration and mutual growth. 

For CPC Training Package: 

• Safety and Sustainability: The NCC 2022 updates put a spotlight on safety and sustainability in construction. Your RTO can develop training programs to educate builders, architects, and developers on eco-friendly building designs and materials. 
• Compliance and Safety: Stricter building norms mean your RTO can provide safety training courses that address these new standards, ensuring that construction professionals are well-prepared to follow the regulations. 
• Sparking Innovation: The NCC updates encourage innovative building design. Your RTO can create courses that inspire architects and designers to explore creative, forward-thinking construction solutions that align with the new code. 

Our Role in the CHC and CPC Training Packages Update

To honour our commitment to compliance and to deliver up-to-date training resources, we’re hard at work enhancing our RTO resources. All current clients using our training resources will receive updated versions for the affected units of competency at no extra cost.

For a comprehensive overview of the CHC and CPC RTO materials set to be updated, along with the specific changes, see the list below.

CHC Training Materials Changes

• Addressing quality concerns, including fixing broken lines
• Incorporating ACECQA updates, including the latest approved learning frameworks
• Implementing changes to national frameworks
• Adapting to other requirements, such as transportation guidelines

CPC Training Materials Changes

• Addressing quality issues, including issues like broken lines
• Implementing changes that are relevant to NCC 2022

On the Look Out for Up-to-Date Training Resources

Discover our extensive array of exceptional CHC and CPC training resources at Precision RTO Resources. Elevate your training with our premium training materials and enjoy complimentary updates whenever there are regulatory shifts and legislative updates. Get in touch with us through the form to receive free samples, informative packs, and a tailored walkthrough.