First Aid Alive Policy for Statement of Attainment Verification

In the context of Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) in Australia, Statements of Attainment (SoA) are issued to learners who have completed part of a qualification or a skill set, but not the full qualification. This document serves as evidence that the individual has gained competencies in specific units of competency from a nationally recognised training package.

To ensure that the process of issuing, verifying, and using Statements of Attainment is transparent and meets regulatory requirements, RTOs must adhere to policies and procedures. These policies are designed to ensure the accuracy, security, and legitimacy of the issued statements.

Key Elements of a Statement of Attainment Verification Policy:

1. Issuance of Statements of Attainment:

- Eligibility: A Statement of Attainment can only be issued when a learner has been deemed competent in one or more units of competency. These units can be part of a qualification or skill set.
- Format and Content: The Statement of Attainment should clearly state:
  - The units of competency completed.
  - The code and title of each unit.
  - The date of issue.
  - The RTO’s details, including RTO number, and the signature of the authorized person.
- Record Keeping: RTOs are required to maintain accurate records of the issued Statements of Attainment for a period as per regulatory requirements (usually for at least 30 years).

2. Verification Process:

- Verification Requests: Any third party (e.g., employers, other RTOs, government agencies) can request verification of the authenticity of a Statement of Attainment.
- RTO Responsibility: The RTO must have a verification process in place to ensure the integrity of the SoA. Typically, this involves confirming the student’s completion of the relevant units and ensuring the information on the statement matches the RTO’s records.
- Online Verification: Some RTOs may offer online tools for immediate verification of issued documents, either through their website or through a third-party verification service.

3. Audit and Compliance:

ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority): RTOs must comply with ASQA regulations, which may involve audits or checks of issued Statements of Attainment to ensure that they meet all required standards.
Compliance with the Standards for RTOs 2015: RTOs must follow the standards set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. This includes ensuring that statements are issued only when the learner has met the required competencies.
Corrective Action: If a verification reveals discrepancies or errors in a Statement of Attainment, the RTO must take corrective actions, which may include issuing a new statement or resolving the issue with the learner.

4. Security and Prevention of Fraud:

Document Security: RTOs should ensure that Statements of Attainment are secure documents to prevent forgery or misuse. This can include features like unique identifiers, watermarks, QR codes, or digital signatures.
Preventing Misuse: Policies should include steps to prevent fraud, such as educating staff and learners on the importance of safeguarding their credentials and informing third parties about the risks of accepting fraudulent documents.

5. Fee for Verification:

Verification Fees: RTOs may charge a fee for the verification of Statements of Attainment. The policy should clearly outline any charges associated with verification and the process for requesting it.
Response Time: The RTO should specify a reasonable time frame for verification requests and how long it will take to process them.

6. Issuance of Duplicate Statements:

Conditions for Reissue: RTOs should have a policy for issuing duplicate Statements of Attainment in case the original is lost, stolen, or damaged. This process should require a formal request from the learner and may include a fee.
Documentation: RTOs should require the learner to provide sufficient identification to verify their identity when requesting a duplicate.

7. International Recognition:

- If the RTO’s Statements of Attainment are to be recognized internationally, it’s important to follow guidelines that may differ depending on the country or region. RTOs may need to provide evidence of the authenticity and equivalency of the qualifications.

8. Stakeholder Communication:

Transparent Processes: The policy on Statements of Attainment verification should be clearly communicated to both students and other stakeholders (e.g., employers). This could be done through the RTO’s website, training materials, and student handbooks.
Complaint Handling: The RTO should outline the procedure for learners or other parties to raise concerns or complaints regarding issued Statements of Attainment.

Sample Elements of a Statement of Attainment Verification Policy:

1. Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the integrity and transparency of Statements of Attainment issued by First Aid Alive and to provide a process for verifying their authenticity.

2. Scope:

This policy applies to all Statements of Attainment issued by First Aid Alive, including those issued to students who have completed individual units of competency.

3. Policy Statement:

First Aid Alive will ensure that all Statements of Attainment are issued in compliance with the Standards for RTOs 2015 and other relevant legislation. We will provide a secure process for verifying Statements of Attainment upon request by third parties.

4. Verification Process:

- All verification requests will be handled by First Aid Alive.
- Verification can be requested via email or our online portal. We aim to process all requests within 2-4 business days.

5. Security Measures:

- Statements of Attainment will include unique identifiers, a watermark, and a digital signature to prevent unauthorized duplication.
- We reserve the right to request additional documentation from learners to ensure the authenticity of verification requests.

6. Fees:

- A fee of $20 may apply for verification requests.
- No fee will be charged for the first verification request per student.

7. Duplicate Requests:

- All Statement of Attainments can be accessed at any time in the student’s online portal on the First Aid learning website.

8. Compliance:

- First Aid Alive will comply with all ASQA regulations regarding the issuance, verification, and security of Statements of Attainment.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing compliance and effectiveness.

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 13/06/2026
Review Date: 13/06/2027