Complaints about vocational education or training
From 1 July 2021, the functions of the South Australian Training Advocate and the Training and Skills Commission (TASC) were joined under the South Australian Skills Commission (SASC).
The South Australian Skills Commission (SASC) is established under the amended South Australian Skills Act 2008 (SA).
It consists of the Skills Commissioner, and 10 others appointed by the Minister.
The amendments from 1 July 2021:
- make it simpler and easier for apprentices and trainees to get started
- clarify responsibilities for everyone involved
- improve supervision requirements
- give the Commission has the ability to prohibit an employer from employing an apprentice or trainee [s 54B] (which is reviewable by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal); and
- introduce a fee for transferring an apprentice or trainee to a new employer [s 54O] but the fee may be waived or reduced in certain circumstances [see South Australian Skills Regulations 2021 (SA) reg 13].
As did the Training Advocate previously, the Commission offers confidential complaint handling, mediation and advocacy services free of charge. Those that may raise complaints with the Commission include:
- Apprentices and Trainees
- Students (domestic and international)
- Employers
- Training and Education Providers
- Parents or Guardians (where applicable)
However, it is expected that parties will attempt to resolve the matter with the other party in the first instance.
The Department for Innovation and Skills has the following factsheets available:
Students who sign up for training may also have rights under Australian Consumer Law, see Consumer Protection, Unsatisfactory Goods and Services.
Complaints about vocational education or training : Last Revised: Fri Jul 2nd 2021
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