Services funded under the Community Child Care Fund – Restricted (CCCF-R) program are recognised as regulated education and care services under the Child Care Subsidy Minister’s Rules 2017 and the Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG). This recognition presents a valuable opportunity for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to expand placement options for learners, particularly in communities where access to traditional services may be limited.
However, due to the exempt status of CCCF-R services (specifically their exemption from certain qualification and staffing requirements and compliance with the AQF), RTOs must take a considered approach to ensure that all assessment conditions within relevant training units can be met.
Supporting Quality Learning Outcomes in Exempt Service Contexts
To maximise the benefits of placements in CCCF-R services while maintaining compliance with training package requirements, RTOs are encouraged to implement the following strategies.
- Confirm Supervisor Qualifications: Ensure that workplace supervisors meet the requirements outlined in unit assessment conditions.
- Map Unit Requirements to Service Capabilities: Review each learner’s training plan to assess whether the service environment can support the full range of required learning and assessment activities.
- Document Supervision and Compliance Arrangements: Where services operate under exemptions, clearly outline how supervision and compliance will be managed to meet the intent of the training package.
- Consider Supplementary Arrangements: If certain assessment conditions cannot be met within the CCCF-R service alone, RTOs may explore blended or supplementary placements to ensure learners can demonstrate all required competencies.
While CCCF-R services may require additional planning and oversight, they offer a meaningful and inclusive pathway for learners to engage with diverse education and care settings. With appropriate checks and documentation, RTOs can confidently support placements that uphold both training quality and regulatory compliance, contributing to workforce development in areas of greatest need.