SAS compliance activity

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) undertakes compliance audits and performance reviews against the departmental funding programs, including User Choice and VET Investment programs, to determine if the Skills Assure supplier (SAS) is satisfactorily addressing the requirements of the supplier agreements.

By entering into the supplier agreement, the supplier commits to meet its obligations for compliance including:

• being responsible for establishing and implementing controls to assist in maintaining compliance
• being responsible for the maintenance and preparation of any audit evidence requested by the department
• providing the department and its auditors with access to all information requested for the purpose of conducting an audit and/or confirming compliance.

Evidence requirements

Ongoing compliance audits and performance reviews are conducted throughout the year. Please refer to the evidence requirements below for information on how to assist your organisation in addressing compliance.

• User Choice program:
  • Skills Assure supplier audit evidence requirements (v2.1, 31 August 2022) (PDF, 1.4MB) – effective 31 August 2022
• VET Investment programs:
  • Skills Assure supplier audit evidence requirements (v3.1, 31 August 2022) (PDF, 1.7MB) – effective 31 August 2022

Changes to documents relate to updating for the current financial year as well as to reference the Partner Portal now that DETConnect has been decommissioned.

Historical evidence requirements

Evidence requirements for User Choice and VET Investment programs from previous financial years.

SAS fact sheets

Skills Assure supplier governance fact sheet (PDF, 195KB)

Compliance audit templates

To allow for transparency within the audit and performance review processes, the templates below are available for Skills Assure suppliers.

Supplier compliance audit report (PDF, 937KB)
This is provided as an example—the reporting framework is under review.

Verification of DESBT audit activity (PDF, 514KB)
The verification document outlines the audit process, as well as providing an overview and objectives. If notification of an audit has been received, review of this is expected prior to the audit opening meeting. The supplier's CEO and/or nominated representative will be required to sign this document following the opening and closing meetings.

Evaluation form
To assist in maintaining the quality and effectiveness of individual audit and performance review processes, suppliers are invited to provide feedback. A link to an online evaluation form will be provided during activity communication.

SAS webinars

View webinars for Skills Assure suppliers.

Last updated 19 October 2022