ACCESS AND EQUITY POLICY
AND PROCEDURE
Purpose
In line with obligations under Commonwealth legislation, The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family
Welfare (CFECFW) is committed to promoting a fair and equitable environment for staff and clients that is
free from discrimination, harassment and vilification.
This policy applies to all current and prospective RTO staff and students and should be read in conjunction
with the ‘Complaints and Appeals Policy & Procedure.’
Scope
This policy applies
Standard 1.7 The RTO determines the support needs of individual learners and provides access to the
educational and support services necessary for the individual learner to meet the requirements of the training
product as specified in training packages or VET accredited courses
Standard 8.5 The RTO complies with Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation and regulatory
requirements relevant to its operations.
Definitions
Term
Definition
Accredited
Training:
A structured sequence of vocational education and training that has been approved by a
National VET Regulator (NVR) and leads to an Australian Qualifications Framework
(AQF) qualification or Statement of Attainment. In this procedure the word
qualification will be used for an accredited program.
AQF:
Australian Qualifications Framework. A nationally consistent set of qualifications for all
post-compulsory education and training in Australia.
ASQA:
The Australian Skills Quality Authority. The national regulator for Australia's
vocational education and training sector. ASQA regulates qualifications and training
providers to ensure nationally approved quality standards are met.
NVR Standards:
Standards for National VET Regulator Registered Training Organisations. The
objectives of the NVR Standards are to ensure nationally consistent, high-quality
training and assessment services within Australia’s VET system. Continual compliance
with the Standards is a condition for all NVR registered training organisations and for
applicants seeking registration under the Act.
RTO:
Registered Training Organisation. A training organisation listed on the National
Register, or by the relevant state based authority, as a registered training organisation.
Access & Equity Policy and
Version 2
Page 1 of 3
Procedure
Responsibility: DLOD
Created: January 2015
Next Review: January 2016
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc. Level 5/50 Market Street Melbourne RTO:3696
Term
Definition
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc RTO number is 3696
Scope:
The Scope of Registration details the nationally recognised training an RTO is approved
to provide. Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc scope of registered
can be viewed on the www.training.gov.au website. In this procedure the Scope of
Registration will be referred to as "the Scope".
Training
Package
Qualification:
A nationally endorsed, integrated set of competency standards, assessment
requirements, Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications, and credit
arrangements for a specific industry, industry sector or enterprise. In this procedure the
word qualification will be used to refer to a training package qualification.
Procedure

All staff employed by CFECFW will adhere to the principles and practices of equity in education
and training.

CFECFW acknowledges its legal obligations under State and Federal equal opportunity laws that
include:
o The Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth)
o The Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)
o The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
o The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
o The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)
o The Privacy Act 1998 (Cth)

Training and employment services are available to all clients regardless of ethnicity, gender, age,
marital status, sexual orientation, physical or intellectual impairment.

Sexual harassment is illegal, and will not be permitted in the workplace, or in the training
environment.

CFECFW will treat every client fairly and without discrimination.

Grievance procedures are in place to ensure that any concerns are dealt with immediately and
appropriately. (Refer to the Complaints and Appeals Policy & Procedure).

Where possible, a range of support services or appropriate referrals will be provided to participants
with special needs.
Staff responsibilities
All employees of CFECFW are required to ensure all clients receive fair and equitable services within their
scope of responsibility. All staff hold the responsibility to maintain a work and study environment free from
discrimination and harassment.
Management is responsible for ensuring adherence to CFECFW’s policies and procedures that support this
goal.
Access & Equity Policy and
Version 2
Page 2 of 3
Procedure
Responsibility: DLOD
Created: January 2015
Next Review: January 2016
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc. Level 5/50 Market Street Melbourne RTO:3696
Student selection
Students will not be denied access to services offered by CFECFW where they are deemed eligible for the
service. Clients will be individually assessed on their eligibility for the service being provided and selection
will comply with relevant equal opportunity legislation and the selection criteria for the service.
Whilst practising an open access policy, it is recognised that client eligibility for services may be influenced
by:
 Course pre-requisites
 Availability of services
Where limited places are available, client selection is completed on confirmation of payment and enrolment
processes.
Maintaining currency of legislative requirements
CFECFW will implement pro-active continuous improvement processes as documented through the Quality
Management policy and procedure and will ensure that any areas that are identified as requiring
improvement or immediate action are addressed appropriately.
CFECFW will ensure that through implementation of the ‘Quarterly Review’ process all legislation is
reviewed for currency.
The following websites provide current and supporting information on the legislation requirements:

Australia.gov.au
http://australia.gov.au/publications/commonwealth-legislation

Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/
Access & Equity Policy and
Version 2
Page 3 of 3
Procedure
Responsibility: DLOD
Created: January 2015
Next Review: January 2016
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc. Level 5/50 Market Street Melbourne RTO:3696