While training packages outline the required knowledge and performance criteria for job roles within an industry, they do not prescribe the training or learning process. Registered training organisations (RTOs) use training packages to help design their curriculum or training programs, and there is a wide range of ways each RTO approaches this process. This project will investigate the different ways RTOs go about interpreting and translating training packages into training programs with the aim of supporting best practice and innovation in curriculum development. 

Click across the tabs to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.

The research will look at innovative curriculum design and implementation practices, including how RTOs add value to qualifications and other training package products to better serve the needs of particular employers, student groups and communities. Research will consider the challenges faced by RTOs when translating training package content. 

The insights gained from this research project will help inform future JSC activities, providing insight into: 

  • what additional support could be offered to RTOs to develop effective learning resources to enhance training and skill outcomes 
  • what changes could be made to units of competency and qualifications to better support translation into learner centric training materials.  

Project Scope  

The project will include desktop research, a literature review, a survey, interviews and site visits, covering three critical qualifications for the workforce served by Skills Insight: 

  • ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing 
  • AHC30122 Certificate III in Agriculture 
  • AHC21216 Certificate II in Rural Operations 

These qualifications have been chosen because they are widely used by RTOs, but each supports a different range of occupations. As a result, this research will be able to collect valuable insights into how RTOs approach qualifications with different intended outcomes and purposes. 

This approach recognises that some qualifications are closely associated with specific occupational outcomes, while others have a more general purpose. For example, the majority of graduates from the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing become veterinary nurses. The Certificate III in Agriculture supports a broader range of occupational outcomes across the agricultural sectors. The Certificate II in Rural Operations is used to provide learners with the foundational skills required for many roles across rural and regional industries. As such, each qualification requires a different approach by RTOs when translating the skills standards into training programs.  

Consultation 

A range of training providers have been invited to participate in this research project. They represent public and private RTOs, of various sizes, across a variety of geographic locations, with a variety of student cohorts and degrees of specialisation. 

However, all RTOs are welcome to provide feedback at any time throughout the project. We encourage you to register for project updates through our newsletter using the subscription button above. Alternatively, get in touch with the Project Manager, Ngaire Stratton, at [email protected] or by calling 03 9321 3526. 

Project Timeline

Project Team

Ngaire headshot

Ngaire Stratton

Diana headshot

Diana McNaughton

Steven Hodge

The Griffith University team commenced a schedule of on-site interviews with RTOs around the country in June and will continue until the end of July.

A range of training providers have been invited to participate, all of which deliver at least one of the three qualifications identified for inclusion in this project:

  • ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing 
  • AHC3022 Certificate III in Agriculture 
  • AHC21216 Certificate II in Rural Operations 

The team are keen to hear about the challenges faced by RTOs when translating training package content, as well as how RTOs use curriculum design and implementation practices to best meet the needs of particular employers, student groups and communities.

If you represent an RTO that would like to provide input into this project, we welcome you to get in touch with the Project Manager, Ngaire Stratton, at [email protected] or by calling 03 9321 3526. 

Next Steps

Following the interview process, a survey will be conducted to finalise the data collection process.

A report will then be produced, outlining the findings of the literature review, case studies and the survey, which is due for submission to the Department of Employment and Workforce Relations on 31 October.

The insights gained from this research project will help inform future JSC activities, providing insight into: 

  • what additional support could be offered to RTOs to develop effective learning resources to enhance training and skill outcomes 
  • what changes could be made to units of competency and qualifications to better support translation into learner centric training materials.  

This stage has not yet commenced.



At the finalisation stage, final checks are conducted and the outcomes of the project are submitted to the Department for consideration. Following this, outcomes are published or enacted.

In collaboration with Griffith University 

Skills Insight is undertaking this research project in collaboration with Griffith University. Consultation with RTOs will explore how they go about choosing and translating training package products, such as qualifications and units of competency, and analysing current industry practices and student needs to develop curricula and deliver training.  

Griffith University will develop a report based on the consultation and research findings, including what is known about translating training packages into training programs in Australia and similar national curricula internationally, and research into resource creation in other education and training sectors. The centrepiece of the report will be a model of translation with a set of recommendations to support best practice in translating training products. It will build on current RTO capabilities and processes for developing, contextualising and updating resources, delivery strategies and plans to support learning.