FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR THE REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS FOR INCLUSION
ON A MULTI-USE LIST FOR THE PROVISION OF ADD-ON SKILLS TRAINING TO SEASONAL
WORKERS
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NOTICE: Consolidation of FAQ’s and Addenda
Following the consolidation of these FAQ’s with the existing Request for Application for Inclusion on
the Add-on Skills Training Multi-use List Addenda, please note this document will replace any further
Addenda. Additionally, all questions in relation to the Seasonal Worker Program will be responded to
via an update to these FAQ’s.
Change to Request for Application Documentation
On 18 September 2013, Machinery of Government (MoG) changes established the Department of
Education and the Department of Employment out of the former Department of Education,
Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). In the weeks following, changes to reflect the
establishment of these Department’s were made to email addresses and website addresses. To
ensure the Request for Application for Inclusion on a Multi-Use List for provision of Add-on Skills
Training to seasonal workers participating in the Seasonal Worker program was up-to-date, changes
have been made to:
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References to the Department of Employment (formerly the Department of Educaiton
Employment and Workplace Relations)
References to the Department of Employment without acronyms
Seasonal Worker Program team email address to be @employment.gov.au (formerly
@deewr.gov.au); and
Website addresses for other Departments due to MoG changes.
Documents that have been changed include the:
 Request for Application for Inclusion
 Deed of Standing Offer
 Evaluation Plan
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1. How does an RTO lodge their Application for Inclusion on the Add-on Skills Training Multi-use List?
Applications must be lodged electronically with the Department of Employment via
seasonalworker@employment.gov.au.
Please note, if you have lodged an application for inclusion on the SWPAoST3 Multi-Use List in
November, December 2013 or January 2014 please re-submit your application via the email address
above for lodgements.
2. Do Applicants have to fill out the template Deed of Standing Offer provided with the Request for
Inclusion documentation and submit this with their Application or do you just require a statement
in Section 6.6 stipulating that the Applicant will abide by the terms and conditions in the Deed of
Standing Offer?
A completed template Deed of Standing Offer is not required as a part of an Application in response
to this Request for Inclusion. Instead, Applicants must provide a statement in response to Section 6.6
of the Application Form indicating their understanding and willingness to comply with the Terms and
Conditions of the Deed of Standing Offer.
Following submission of the Application, successful Applicants will then be required to sign the Deed
of Standing Offer as part of the acceptance process.
(For further information refer to Section 3 of the RAI documentation)
3. Can the response statement to Section 6.2 of the Application Form exceed 300 words?
Yes. The response statement to Section 6.2 can exceed 300 words. All other response statements
must not exceed 300 words. There are no auto-limiting fields in the Application Form.
(For further information refer to instructions provided at Section 6.2 of the Application Form)
4. Does the Annexure D – Financial and Credentials Information Form, need to be completed if we
have already been assessed by the Department for other funded programs?
The purpose of the Financial and Credentials Information Form is to obtain information in order to
assess, in the opinion of the Department, your organisation’s credentials and financial viability with
regard to your Application.
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The completed form is required to be submitted with your Application regardless of your
organisation having previously provided this type of information to the Department.
All entities are required to complete the form to ensure that all Applicant organisations are treated
consistently.
Any missing, incomplete, inaccurate or illegible details may delay assessment of your Application or
result in it being eliminated from consideration, therefore, please ensure you read and complete
each question.
(For more information please refer to Clause 44.2 and 44.3 of the RAI documentation)
5. What is the total indicative amount that RTOs can expect to be paid for providing the required
training course/s to seasonal workers?
Funding of up to $825 (GST inclusive) is available to each first time seasonal worker and each
returning worker to access training and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment under the
Seasonal Worker Program. The funding is allocated on a ‘per worker’ basis rather than a ‘per course’
basis.
If successful in their Application for Inclusion on the Add-on Skills Training Multi-use List (MUL), and
subject to the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) entering into the Deed of Standing Offer with
the Commonwealth, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) may be issued a Request for Quote
(RFQ) by the Department of Employment requiring them to quote for:
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the provision of one or a combination of all three 'first time' seasonal worker courses;
and/or
the provision of RPL assessments for returning workers.
The Department will consider all quotes through a competitive assessment process and the RTO who
presents the best value for money and whose offered services best meet the Department’s
requirements will be awarded the work. Where quotes exceed the nominal $825 (including GST)
amount per worker, the Department reserves the right to exclude those quotes from assessment.
Please refer to the following examples for further clarification on the indicative funding
arrangement.
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Example 1:
John is a first time seasonal worker from Nauru. When John arrives in Australia he discusses his
training needs with his Approved Employer. John has a total of $825 (GST inclusive) worth of training
to access and he nominates to receive 'First Aid' training. John’s work is based in NSW.
The Department issues a Request for Quote for all RTOs on the MUL who are approved to provide
First Aid training in NSW. The Department receives five quotes, three of which come under a total of
$825 (GST inclusive) and two exceed this amount. The Department assesses the three quotes which
come in under a total of $825 (GST inclusive) and the RTO whose quote presents the best value for
money and whose offered services best meet the Department’s requirements is accepted.
Example 2:
A group of 30 first time seasonal workers from Tonga arrive in Australia to work in Victoria. The
group’s employer discusses with them their training needs and they nominate to complete a
combination of training as follows:
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20 workers to complete First Aid Training;
15 workers to complete Basic English literacy and numeracy training; and
5 workers to complete Basic IT training.
The Department issues a Request for Quote for all RTOs on the MUL who are approved to provide
any one of the three areas of study in Victoria. The Department receives four quotes, three of which
come under a total of $825 (GST inclusive) per worker ($24,750) and one exceeds this amount. The
Department assesses the three quotes which come in under a total of $825 (GST inclusive) per worker
and the RTO whose quote presents the best value for money and whose offered services best meet
the Department’s requirements is accepted.
Example 3:
David is a 'returning' seasonal worker from the Solomon Islands. This is the third year David has
returned to Queensland to pick fruit under the Seasonal Worker Program and he has not previously
been assessed for RPL. After arriving back in Australia, David discusses with his Approved Employer
the relevant skills he has gained during his two previous placements. They decide that David should
be assessed for RPL toward a Certificate II in Horticulture.
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The Department issues a Request for Quote for all RTOs on the MUL who are approved to provide
RPL assessments toward a Certificate II in Horticulture in Queensland. The Department receives two
quotes, both come in under a total of $825 (GST inclusive). The Department assesses both quotes and
the RTO whose quote presents the best value for money and whose offered services best meet the
Department’s requirements is accepted.
(For further information refer to Clauses 34.12 and 34.13 and Item 3 of Clause 43.8 of the RAI
documentation)
6. Are the Seasonal Worker Program trial locations listed on page 38 of the Request for Inclusion
documentation target areas for the future?
No. These trial locations are not target areas. The locations are listed for the information of
Applicants proposing to deliver RPL in Certifications related to the trial sectors (e.g. Certificate I in
Hospitality). These types of Certifications will not be required outside of the trial locations as
workers accessing the Certifications will be participating in work in one of the trial sectors and will
be placed in one of the trial locations.
(For further information refer to Annexure A of the RAI documentation)
7. If applicable can RPL be applied for the certified qualifications if the training does not exceed $825
(GST inclusive)?
No. Certificate Level qualifications that seasonal workers can receive are to be achieved only through
RPL.
(For further information refer to Clauses 35.12 to 35.13 of the RAI documentation)
8. What are the learning outcomes required for the training in "Basic First Aid", “Basic Information
technology Skills" and “Basic English Literacy and Numeracy”?
Successful RTOs will be contracted by the Department of Employment on a demand-driven basis to
deliver Add-on Skills Training and provide appropriate certifications (i.e. Statement of Attainment or
Certificate) in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework to seasonal workers
participating under the Seasonal Worker Program.
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The outcome should be the successful completion of the training and a relevant Statement of
Attainment or equivalent Certificate provided in the relevant field of study. The Department of
Employment has not stipulated specific course outlines for each topic.
The outcomes for the training may differ depending on the student’s capabilities and the course
competencies required to successfully complete the training, however, some examples of outcomes
could include:
Basic First Aid
Students understand basic first aid by demonstrating their understanding of social & legal
implications when applying first aid at work, carrying out casualty assessment’s, performing
resuscitation, use of Automated External Device such as a defibrillator (AEDs), what to do in
trauma/medical emergencies, understanding the dangers of toxics substances, how to act in
environmental traumatisation, and basic anatomy & physiology.
English Literacy and Numeracy
Students become literate as they develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to interpret and use
language confidently for learning and communicating and for participating effectively in society.
Literacy involves students in listening to, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating oral, print,
visual and digital texts, and using and modifying language for different purposes in a range of
contexts.
Students become numerate as they develop the knowledge and skills to use mathematics
confidently across all learning areas in class and in their lives more broadly. Numeracy involves
students in recognizing and understanding the role of mathematics in the world and having the
dispositions and capacities to use mathematical knowledge and skills purposefully.
Basic Information and Computer Technology (ICT)
Students develop ICT capability as they learn to use ICT effectively and appropriately to access,
create and communicate information via email and the internet, access webpages for information
such as contact information for the Fair Work Ombudsman, and utilizing online functions such as
banking or superannuation. ICT capability involves students in learning to make the most of the
technologies available to them.
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9. Is there a minimum number of seasonal workers in a group for whom the Department will contact
panel members on the MuL with a Request for Quote?
Seasonal workers are located in regional and rural locations throughout Australia and vary in
numbers depending on the business needs of each individual Approved Employer. Training is
delivered on a demand driven basis and is often in remote locations for a variety of different class
sizes. RTO’s who wish to apply to join the MuL must be able to deliver training flexibly to meet the
needs of seasonal workers and Approved Employers. RTO’s who are successful in their application to
join the MuL are required to provide the Department with detailed information in regards to courses
than can be delivered, including minimum class sizes and minimum contact hours required by the
RTO in order to deliver training.
10.Can seasonal workers be included in a training programme funded from an alternate source?
No. Training delivery needs to be tailored to seasonal workers and within the parameters of the Addon Skills Training programme. Delivery of training needs to be flexible and is often delivered on-site
as the workers are located in regional and rural locations, oftentimes some distance from town areas
and without transportation.
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