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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
Guidelines for describinG external accreditation
and industry links (tafe and He)
Contents
Table A - Guidelines for External Recognition ..............................2
Example descriptions of external recognition ..............................6
Table B - Guidelines for Describing Industry Links .......................7
Examples descriptions of industry links .......................................8
These guidelines form part of the guidelines for writing a TAFE or HE program
guide. They are intended to assist school and college staff writing, reviewing
or approving the program guide eld containing descriptions of the external
accreditation and industry links relevant to the program.
It provides suggested wording for describing different types of external
recognition. It also outlines aspects of industry links that may be of interest
to students undertaking the program. Examples are provided to further
illustrate these entries.
RMIT has a legal responsibility to ensure that the information it provides
current and future students is correct.
The program guide will be accessible from marketing information provided
to prospective students. Trade Practices legislation provides for heavy
penalties where an organisation is shown to have engaged in conduct,
regardless of intent, that could or does lead a consumer into error.
For external recognition refer to Table A
Step 1 Identify the recognition held by the program
(Australian, international, not recognised, etc)
Step 2 Identify the benets that ow to graduates and students
(there may be more than one)
Step 3 Incorporate the suggested wording into the overall
description of recognition. When complete you may wish
to edit the entry to ensure its suitability for the audience
(TAFE, undergraduate, research)
For industry links refer to Table B
Step 1 Identify the types of industry link that are relevant to the program
Step 2 For each of these check its relevance for the program
Step 3 Prepare the description in accordance with the suggested approach
table a Guidelines for external reCoGnition
step 1 step 2 step 3
Program Recognition Type Additional Criteria Suggested Wording Notes
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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
A program offered
by a school or college
where the school or college
is formally recognised
by one or more
recognising bodies
The [school/college] is [recognised]
by [recognising body]
[Status of recognising body]
[recognising body website]
[recognised] – Recognised means the RMIT program has been assessed
as meeting the standards of the recognising body. Use terminology adopted
by the recognising body. Examples include recognised, accredited.
[recognising body] – Examples of accrediting bodies include bodies that
recognise organizations or parts of organizations. Examples include EQUIS
[Status of recognising body] – Use terminology adopted by the recognising
body. For example EQUIS describes itself as “the leading international
business school accreditation system”.
[recognising body website] – For example: www.efmd.org
A program or stream
of studies within a program
is formally recognised
by one or more Australian
professional recognising
bodies
Membership class is not dependent
on further study or professional
experience post degree
The [degree] is [recognised]
by [professional body]
On successful completion of the
[program] graduates are entitled
to membership of the
[professional body]
[association website]
NB it is essential to use precisely the structure of this first sentence and be
accurate with the three terms. It will be reproduced on the Australian Higher
Education Graduate Statement (AHEGS) when students graduate.
[degree] – Full title of qualification.
[recognised] – Recognised means the RMIT program has been assessed
as meeting the standards of the recognising body. Use terminology adopted
by the recognising body. Examples include recognised, accredited.
[professional body] – Full name of the professional body
[association website] – For example www.engineersaustralia.org.au
Membership class is dependent
on further study and/or professional
experience in addition to the degree
The [degree] is [recognised]
by [professional body]
On successful completion of the
[program] graduates are entitled
to [graduate membership] of the
[professional association]
By completing [postgraduate
requirements] graduates may
be eligible for [advanced
membership class]
[professional body website]
NB it is essential to use precisely the structure of this first sentence and be
accurate with the three terms. It will be reproduced on the Australian Higher
Education Graduate Statement (AHEGS) when students graduate.
[degree] – Full title of qualification.
[recognised] – Recognised means the RMIT program has been assessed as
meeting the standards of the recognising body. Use terminology adopted by
the recognising body. Examples include recognised, accredited.
[professional body] – Full name of the professional body
[graduate membership] – Membership class available to graduates who have
not yet completed postgraduate study and/or experience requirements
[professional membership] – Membership class available to graduates who
have completed the additional study and/or experiences requirements of the
professional body
[postgraduate requirements] – Describe the post graduation requirements
that must be fulfilled before a graduate is eligible to apply for [professional
membership]
Example – Complete the [professional body] qualifications and three years’
work experience
table a Guidelines for external reCoGnition
step 1 step 2 step 3
Program Recognition Type Additional Criteria Suggested Wording Notes
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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
A program or stream
of studies within
a program is formally
recognised by one
or more Australian
professional
recognising bodies
There is a statutory requirement
for registration of practitioners
The [degree] is [recognised]
by [statutory registration body]
On successful completion of the
[program] graduates are entitled
to apply to [statutory registration
body] [rights to practice] as a
[professional] in [jurisdiction]
To obtain full membership graduates
must [complete requirements]
[statutory body website]
NB it is essential to use precisely the structure of this first sentence and be
accurate with the three terms. It will be reproduced on the Australian Higher
Education Graduate Statement (AHEGS) when students graduate.
[degree] – Full title of qualification.
[recognised] – Recognised means the RMIT program has been assessed as
meeting the standards of the recognising body. Use terminology adopted by
the recognising body. Examples include recognised, accredited.
[statutory registration body] – Full name of the registration body, for example
the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
[rights to practice] – Describe the right conferred
[professional] – For example primary school teacher, nurse, psychologist,
social worker
[jurisdiction] – The territory in which authority of the statutory registration
body applies
[statutory body website] – For example: www.ahpra.gov.au
Students must select specic
subjects to be eligible for
membership of the
professional body
By selecting appropriate studies
graduates of the [degree] may
be eligible for [class of membership]
of [professional body]
[professional body website]
Generally relevant where the professional body is not directly relevant to the
field of study. For example students undertaking the accounting elective stream
are eligible for associate membership of CPA Australia after completion
of additional courses.
[class of membership] – Use terminology of the professional association
Students studying the RMIT program
are eligible for student membership
of the professional body
Students of [program] are
eligible for [class of membership]
of [professional body]
[professional body website]
[class of membership] – Use the terminology adopted by the professional
body. Examples – student membership, associate membership
A program that is directly recognised
by an overseas professional
association
The [degree] is also [recognised]
by [overseas professional body]
The [overseas professional body]
is the [status of professional body]
[Benets for the graduate]
[association website]
[recognised] – Use terminology of the professional body.
Examples – recognised, accredited
[status of professional body] – Example: The Institution of Chemical Engineers,
based in London is the primary international professional society for the
chemical engineer
[Benefits for the graduate] – Describe the benefits for the graduate.
For example – Successful completion of program enables graduates
to apply for membership of [overseas professional body]
[association website] – For example www.icheme.org
table a Guidelines for external reCoGnition
step 1 step 2 step 3
Program Recognition Type Additional Criteria Suggested Wording Notes
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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
A program or stream
of studies within a program
that is recognised outside
the jurisdiction of the
Australian professional
recognising body
or statutory body
The degree is recognised more
widely by virtue of an agreement(s)
between professional bodies
An [agreement between professional
bodies] means [benets for the
graduate]
[agreement website(s)]
[agreement between professional bodies] – May refer to a multi-party
agreement or an agreement between two professional bodies
For example – The Washington Accord is an agreement amongst engineering
professional bodies of Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China,
Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa,
UK and US.
[Benefits for the graduate] – For example, the Washington Accord means the
qualifications of graduates of RMIT engineering programs recognised by the
Institute of Engineers Australia are also recognised by each signatory as being
substantially equivalent to accredited or recognised qualifications within
its own jurisdiction
[agreement website(s)] – Where an international organisation supports
agreements between national bodies the associated website may provide
useful information for students, for example www.washingtonaccord.org
Alternatively, list websites of the most relevant associations that are parties
to the agreement, for example: www.nzplanning.co.nz, www.cip-icu.ca
The degree is recognised more
widely by virtue of an agreement(s)
between statutory registration
authorities
[Agreement] between registration
authorities means graduates
of [program] have [practice rights]
in [jurisdictions]
[Benets for the graduate]
[Agreement] – Description of the agreement. For example “an agreement”,
“cross-recognition agreement”, “mutual-recognition agreement”, etc
[practice rights] – The right that is conferred on registered practitioners from
this jurisdiction by virtue of [agreement]. For example – right to practice,
right to apply to practice without further study, etc
[jurisdictions] – The jurisdictions that are signatory to [agreement]. These may
be states (in the case of state-based practitioner registration) or countries.
Students must select specic
subjects to be eligible for
membership of the
professional body
By selecting appropriate studies
graduates of the [degree] may
be eligible for [class of membership]
of [professional body]
[professional body website]
[class of membership] – Use terminology of the professional association
Generally relevant where the professional body is not directly relevant to the
field of study. For example students undertaking the accounting elective stream
are eligible for associate membership of CPA Australia after completion
of additional courses.
table a Guidelines for external reCoGnition
step 1 step 2 step 3
Program Recognition Type Additional Criteria Suggested Wording Notes
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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
A program that has
no current formal
professional recognition
There is no relevant Australian
professional recognising body
In Australia there are no professional
bodies that recognise or accredit
programs in [discipline]
[discipline] – Discipline in which the program is offered
RMIT is applying for recognition
from the relevant professional body
RMIT is applying to [professional
body] for [recognition] of [program]
[professional body website]
[recognition] – Use the terminology adopted by the professional body
There are non-recognising bodies
relevant to graduates in this eld
Graduates of [program] may be
eligible to become a member of
[association]. Membership provides
[member benets] which are relevant
to career development.
[non-recognising website]
[association] – Non-recognising professional association, industry association,
learned society or other body of relevance to graduates working in the field.
For example the Logistics Association of Australia is a non-recognising body
that may be of interest to Business students.
[member benefits] – For example, professional certification program
[non-recognising website] – For example: www.laa.asn.au
There is a body of graduates from
this program
Graduates of the program have
successfully gained employment
in [industries] over a period
of [years] and are successfully
working in [countries]
[industries] – List the major industries employing graduates of the program
[years] – Number of years for which students have graduated from
the program
[countries] – List the countries outside Australia in which the largest numbers
of graduates are working
Refer Alumni & Development for data on RMIT alumni of the program)
table a Guidelines for external reCoGnition
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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
Example Descriptions of External Recognition
Australian professional recognition
NB This is the AHEGS statement
Student membership
Overseas recognition by virtue
of a mutual recognition agreement
The Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Australian Association
of Social Workers (AASW)
RMIT students are eligible for student membership.
The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has mutual recognition of membership
status with the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) and Canadian Institute
of Planners/Institut Canadien des Urbanistes (CIP).
This means graduates of the RMIT planning degree who are members of the
AIP and wish to work in New Zealand or Canada can also become members
of these professional bodies.
www.planning.org.au
www.nzplanning.co.nz
www.cip-icu.ca
Non-recognising body relevant
to graduates (1)
Non-recognising body relevant
to graduates (2)
Eligibility for membership
of a professional body if certain
studies are undertaken
On completing this program, graduates will be eligible for graduate
membership of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
Australia (CILTA).
CILTA provides strong and active support for the program. CILTA is also part
of a worldwide network, and the prestige associated with being a member
of CILTA opens many more doors locally, nationally and internationally.
Another important industry association supporting the program is the Logistics
Association of Australia. Many of the members of these associations provide
employment opportunities for students during cooperative education.
If students complete the accounting elective stream, they will be eligible
for associate membership of CPA Australia after the completion
of additional courses.
www.cilta.com.au
www.laa.asn.au
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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
step 3step 2
table b Guidelines for desCribinG industry links
Suggested ApproachRelevance School’s Links with Industry
Industry links of academic staff All programs Describe the ways in which academic staff of the discipline are connected with industry.
This may include having professional experience in industry, contributing to the work of industry organizations,
undertaking consultancy or delivering corporate education and training.
Program Advisory Board All programs Explain the role that industry experts play on the School’s Industry Advisory Board and the role of the Board itself.
WIL providers All programs Describe the ways in which the school develops and maintains links with external providers of WIL places.
Adjunct professors If relevant Describe the role of adjunct professors in the school. For example through supervision of research students
or providing lectures.
Visiting lecturers from industry If an ongoing feature
of school activities
Describe the role that industry experts play in the school and the program, for example as guest lecturers.
Industry research If an ongoing feature
of school activities
Describe the relevance of the school’s industry research activities for the program and the way in which
it benets students.
Exhibitions and events If an ongoing feature
of school activities
Describe the role that exhibitions and events play in the school’s activities and the relevance of this for students
of the program.
Corporate education and training If an ongoing feature
of school activities
Describe the corporate education and training program of the school and the way in which this has benet for the
students of this program.
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Guidelines for describinG external accreditation and industry links (tafe and He) / may 2011 v1.2
Examples Descriptions of industry Links
B Bus (Marketing) The School of Economics, Finance and Marketing has many close links with industry. These take on a variety
of different forms.
One close linkage is through students who participate in the WIL program and spend the equivalent of an academic
year in a supervised, discipline relevant industry position.
Academics within the School are strongly encouraged to maintain their linkages with industry.
The School runs a School Advisory Board that consists of high prole industry representatives. Part of the Board’s
brief is to make sure that the School’s links with industry standards and practice remain current.
In addition the School makes regular use of outside industry experts as guest lecturers to ensure that students are
exposed to current industry developments in marketing. The regular use of sessional teaching staff also provides
students with exposure to current industry practitioners.
The School has also built its links with industry through the appointment of adjunct professors who have been
appointed based upon their industry achievements.
As evidence of the close links with industry, a number of high level marketing and general managers provided
input to the program renewal process through in-depth interviews. These were chosen across a range
of industries to provide broad representation and input.
B Bus
(Business Information Systems)
The School of BIT has substantial links with the IT and business industry within both Australia and internationally.
Employers and industry professional are members of our Industry Advisory Board and various committees and
have contributed to both the initial development and ongoing improvement of this program. Their involvement
ensures that the program remains relevant to your needs as a graduate and the needs of graduate employers.
Many the teaching staff within the program are practicing (or have been) industry professionals with extensive industry
experience and contact networks. This experience, when integrated into teaching and learning practice, enriches your
learning environment.
These networks are further enhanced by the School’s Work Integrated Learning courses. These courses provide
you with an opportunity to undertake supervised work placements in an ICT related area.
The School is part of the new three way ICT cadetship program between RMIT TAFE, RMIT and the B Bus (BIS)
which was launched in 2007.
table b Guidelines for desCribinG industry links
