Complaints and Appeals Procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that individuals have an avenue for legitimate complaints and appeals arising during the training and assessment services offered by CTA Training Specialists (CTA), formerly Club Training Australia.

This procedure outlines the steps for handling complaints and appeals received from learners, clients, staff and stakeholders.

CTA considers all complaints and appeals received as an opportunity to improve the service that we offer to all individuals, as part of our wider continuous improvement process.

This procedure applies to all complaints and appeals that impact on the CTA’s management systems; quality of training and assessment; quality of client service; and compliance with the VET Quality Framework, inclusive of complaints about:

• CTA and its trainers, assessors and other staff;
• CTA Third Party Service Agreement personnel and other staff; or
• A learner of CTA.

Complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction with an action or service of CTA.

VET Quality Framework (VQF) means the following:

• Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015
• Australian Qualifications Framework;
• Fit and Proper Person Requirements;
• Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements;
• Data Provision Requirements.

4.1 All staff who receive a complaint are responsible for:

• The documenting of complaints as per the scope of this procedure
• Sending the details of the complaint to the General Manager

4.2 The General Manager is responsible for:

• Reviewing the complaints;
• Determining the root cause of the complaint, through investigation, review or other appropriate means;
• Determining the action, if any, to be taken and recording in the Continuous Improvement Register;
• Implementing action to prevent or limit the likely re-occurrence of the determined cause of the complaint;
• Following up on the complaint and/or with the complainant to ensure the complaint has been finalised and that corrective action has been implemented satisfactorily and the client is satisfied; and
• Ensuring the current Complaints Policy is publicly available.

6.1 Informal process

Where possible all non-formal attempts shall be made to resolve the complaint. This may include advice, discussions, and general mediation in relation to the issue. Any staff can be involved in this informal process to resolve issues but once a student has placed a formal complaint/appeal the following procedures must be followed.

6.2 Formal complaint process

If the complainant meets with a staff member to make a complaint:

• The staff member should discuss with the complainant (and their support), the complaint details.
• Complete with any assistance CTA Complaints and Appeals form.
• Determine –
  • If they have the decision making capacity.
  • If they can implement action that is agreeable to the complainant.
  • Consider privacy issues.
  • Receipt of an Oral Complaint (when the complainant wishes the complaint to be considered using the Complaints and Appeals Procedure and the CTA Complaints and Appeals Form. The staff member taking the complaint will record the following information –
    • Complainant’s full name, address, phone/email address.
    • Why the complaint has been escalated from a concern or is not to be treated as a concern.
    • If the complaint relates to another person(s), that person(s) full name and position or if the student is not able to provide these details as much information as possible.
    • The concerns raised by the complainant.
    • The complainant’s desired outcome to the complaint.
    • The complainant should receive a copy of the complaint form.
  • If a complainant raises an issue but is not willing to proceed with the complaint then they should be advised that because of the requirements of procedural fairness, in most circumstances no further action can be taken by the RTO.
  • If the staff member resolves the complaint and the nature of the complaint is in regards to the RTO management systems, the quality of training and assessment, the quality of client services or a non-compliance of the VET Quality Framework; the staff member should –
    • Clarify and document the details of the complaint with the complainant.
    • Record the complaint and its outcomes in JobReady Student Management System (SMS). If the complaint is received by CTA Third Party Service Agreement personnel, forward complainant information to CTA Administration Manager to complete this process.
    • Inform the General Manager of the details of the complaint and the action implemented.
    • CTA Administration Manager to generate an acknowledgement letter from the SMS to the complainant of the complaint and its outcome.
  • If the staff member receiving the complaint is unable to resolve the issue with the complainant, or the complaint is outside of the staff member’s area of responsibility; then the staff member should –
    • Record the complaint in the SMS. If the complaint is received by a CTA Third Party Service Agreement personnel, forward complainant information to CTA Administration Manager to complete this process.
    • Request the complainant put the complaint in writing to the General Manager.
    • Provide advice about anonymous complaints.
    • Direct or assist in directing the person to another person who could assist.
    • Provide assistance with CTA Complaints and Appeals Form.
  • The General Manager will –
    • Provide an acknowledgement in writing of the complaint, a review of the complaint (for clarification) and the anticipated outcome by the complainant. If a complaint cannot be investigated by the RTO (for whatever reason), then the General Manager should inform the complainant at this point and refer them to the most appropriate body.
    • Review the complaint within five (5) working days and make a decision about the complaint.
    • Interview the respondent to the complaint, outlining the specific allegations that have been made about them, and giving them the opportunity to make a full response. During the investigation process, the complainant must be given the opportunity to present his/her case with the provision of a mutually acceptable support person and/or independent adviser in attendance, if required.
    • Determine the appropriate action, if any.
    • Advise the parties of the action and their recourse to further action/appeal.
    • Record the actions in the Continuous Improvement Register; and implement the actions.
  • No action relating to an enrolment status is to be taken until such time as the complaint has been resolved. However, the General Manager retains the right to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the student and/or of others.
  • After the investigation process is complete, the General Manager will provide a written response within fourteen (14) working days to the complainant, of the action taken and the reasons for the decision.
  • If, at any stage, the process exceeds the timelines stated, or more than 60 calendar days are needed to process and finalise the complaint; the RTO will –
    • Inform the complainant in writing of the delay, including reasons why more than 60 calendar days are required; and
    • Regularly update the complainant on the progress of the matter and ensure these are recorded in the SMS.
  • The General Manager will review the action to determine its effectiveness and complainant’s satisfaction.
  • If the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint, they can appeal the outcome in accordance with the CTA’s Appeals Procedure.
  • Any complaint which appears to be related to any illegal activity such as theft, assault, etc., will be referred to the appropriate authority after discussion with the person making the complaint.
  • Written records of the complaint will be retained in the complaints and appeals file and a copy included in the relevant student’s file, where applicable.
  • CTA seeks to prevent complaints by ensuring that students are satisfied with their training experience and their training product and its outcomes. Personnel are expected to be fair, courteous and helpful in all dealings with students.

Complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction with an action or service of CTA.

VET Quality Framework (VQF) means the following:

• Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015
• Australian Qualifications Framework;
• Fit and Proper Person Requirements;
• Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements;
• Data Provision Requirements.

• If a student is still dissatisfied with the decision of the RTO, a student may wish to escalate the matter.
• Clients should be encouraged to resolve complaints and appeals through our complaint mechanisms. If they are not satisfied with the outcomes of these processes they should contact Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) by completing the online complaint form.
• Where a decision or outcome is in favour of the student, CTA shall follow the required action and recommendation to satisfy the student’s appeal as soon as practicable.

Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

Tel: 1300 701 801

Web: www.asqa.gov.au

• Code of Practice Trainee Student Handbook

• CTA Complaints and Appeals Form

• Complaints and Appeals Register

• Continuous Improvement Register