Recommendations for corruption prevention
Recommendation 1
In relation to security training, assessment and certification, the NSW Commissioner of Police should assume ultimate responsibility for all integrity-related functions, including:
a. corruption prevention
b. corruption risk management
c. fraud and corruption investigation and detection.
Recommendation 2
The compliance, inspection and data review processes of the Security Industry Registry ("SIR") should be expanded and improved to give the SIR the capacity to detect fraudulent or inadequate training practices by registered training organisations ("RTOs").
Recommendation 3
The SIR should be given sufficient, dedicated staffing and other resources to implement Recommendations 1 and 2 without reliance on staff from other sections of the NSW Police Force, the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board ("VETAB"), the approved security industry associations ("ASIAs") or any other organisation.
Recommendation 4
In relation to literacy and numeracy testing for security licence applicants:
a. it should not be conducted by RTOs providing security training
b. the SIR should facilitate the development of a standard literacy and numeracy test
c. this test should be administered by an approved government provider selected by the SIR.
Recommendation 5
The SIR should independently test the knowledge of applicants for security licences prior to the issue of the licence. This testing could include:
a. random computer-based knowledge testing such as is used by the Roads and Traffic Authority to test driver knowledge, and
b. scenario-based interviews conducted by SIR staff.
Recommendation 6
The SIR should take steps to determine the validity of all security qualifications granted during the upgrade process. RTOs currently approved to provide security training should not be involved in this assessment process. Some methods that could be considered in this regard include the measures described in Recommendations 4 and 5 above.
Recommendation 7
The SIR should comprehensively review all RTOs currently approved to provide security training to determine:
a. their level of competence and compliance during the licence upgrade process
b. whether their security trainers meet the competency levels required by the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and the Certificate IV in Security and Risk Management
c. whether the RTO merits continued approval to conduct security training.
Recommendation 8
The SIR should:
a. conduct a comprehensive corruption risk assessment of the corruption risks present in security training and licensing. This risk assessment should include but not be limited to:
i. analysis of the risks associated with outsourcing security training to private training providers
ii. analysis of the risks associated with any new procedures the SIR may introduce to test security licence applicants or review RTOs
b. develop a corruption risk management plan describing the corruption risks identified and the strategies the SIR will adopt to manage each of these risks.
Recommendation 9
In relation to VETAB's audit and compliance practices:
a. VETAB should improve its audit and monitoring of RTOs to ensure early detection of training, assessment or recognition of prior learning ("RPL") not conducted in accordance with the Australian Quality Training Framework ("AQTF") standards
b. where VETAB identifies training, assessment or RPL not conducted in accordance with the AQTF standards, it should take prompt and effective action to gain compliance within a specified timeframe
c. where compliance does not occur within the specified timeframe without good reason, VETAB should take immediate disciplinary action against the RTO.
Recommendation 10
In future, VETAB should provide the SIR with:
a. a copy of all VETAB audit reports concerning RTOs that provide security training
b. any information received from complaints or any other source that relates to the integrity of security training.
Recommendation 11
The NSW Police Force and the Department of Education and Training should make all managers and senior officers aware of :
a. the definition of corrupt conduct under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988
b. the jurisdiction of the Commission, and
c. the requirement to report suspected corrupt conduct under section 11 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.
Recommendation 12
The NSW Police Force and the Department of Education and Training should have internal reporting mechanisms in place that ensure that principal officers are made aware of and report matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission under section 11 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 at the earliest possible time.
Recommendation 13
The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing ("OLGR") should review the validity of all Responsible Service of Alcohol ("RSA") and Responsible Conduct of Gaming ("RCG") certificates and statements of attainment issued through Roger Training Academy since 2006.
Recommendation 14
The OLGR should reduce the likelihood of fraud in the issue of RSA and RCG certificates by:
a. conducting a comprehensive corruption risk assessment of the corruption risks present in RSA and RCG training and licensing. This risk assessment should include but not be limited to:
i. analysis of the risks associated with training by private training providers
ii. analysis of the risks associated with any new procedures the OLGR may introduce to review RTOs
b. develop a corruption risk management plan describing the corruption risks identified and the strategies the OLGR will adopt to manage each of these risks.
Recommendation 15
WorkCover NSW and VETAB should liaise in order to advise the Commission of the following:
a. which agency will take responsibility for reviewing the validity of all First Aid certificates issued through Roger Training Academy since 2006
b. how this review will be conducted
c. that the responsible agency will undertake to notify the SIR Registrar of any First Aid certificates found to be invalid.
Recommendation 16
WorkCover NSW should reduce the likelihood of fraud in the issue of First Aid certificates by:
a. conducting a comprehensive corruption risk assessment of the corruption risks present in First Aid training. This risk assessment should include but not be limited to:
i. analysis of the risks associated with training by private training providers
ii. analysis of the risks associated with any new procedures WorkCover may introduce to review RTOs
b. develop a corruption risk management plan describing the corruption risks identified and the strategies WorkCover will adopt to manage each of these risks.
Implementation Plan
The implementation plans posted below have been provided by the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB), the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR), WorkCover NSW and the NSW Police Force in response to the ICAC's corruption prevention recommendations. Their appearance here is for information only and does not constitute the approval or endorsement of the plans by the Commission.
Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) - Implementation Plan
Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) - Implementation Plan
WorkCover NSW - Implementation Plan
NSW Police Force - Implementation Plan
12 month progress reports
The progress reports posted below have been provided by the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB), the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) and WorkCover NSW in response to the ICAC's corruption prevention recommendations. Their appearance here is for information only and does not constitute the approval or endorsement of the plans by the Commission.
Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) - 12 month progress report
Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) - 12 month progress report
WorkCover NSW - 12 month progress report
24 month final progress report
The progress report posted below has been provided by the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) in response to the ICAC's corruption prevention recommendations. It's appearance here is for information only and does not constitute the approval or endorsement of the plan by the Commission. The Department also advised that:
In line with a Council of Australian Govemments' commitment to introduce a national vocational education and training regulator, on 1 July 2011 the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) became Australia's national regulator for vocational education and training. New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have referred their vocational education and training regulatory functions to ASQA.
The national regulator will operate without referrals from Victoria and Western Australia, but will manage regulation of training organisations based in these states that operate in more than one state or offer training to international students.
As of 30 June 2011, the NSW Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board ceased to operate and no longer has any functions or responsibilities. ASQA is now responsible for regulation of more than 2000 registered training organisations operating in New South Wales.
During the consultation period to determine the legislative functions and powers for the new Authority, New South Wales was able to have included in the governing legislation tougher and more far reaching powers such as ASQA's right to carry out inspections and the power to seize assets.
Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) - 24 month progress report