JL/TAPS – Does the claim “only nationally accredited” really mean it is the only official qualification for payroll?
No.
APA response – The answer to this is Yes. Only by being nationally accredited and recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework can a course become an official qualification. In fact, you cannot call a course a qualification when it is not nationally recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework. Please see this website for more details.
You may also like to refer to the official website for nationally recognised training www.training.gov.au and use ‘payroll’ in the keyword search.
JL/TAPS – Not all “nationally accredited qualifications” are created equal.
APA response – Not correct. The key reasons for having AQF qualifications are to ensure national recognition and consistency as well as common understanding across Australia of what defines each qualification.
Please click here to find out more about the specification, standards and education outcome requirements of nationally accredited qualifications.
JL/TAPS – Critically, a privately owned “qualification” fails to tell the full story of the quality of the particular course, the institution, and their professional credibility within the industry.
APA response – Not correct. Any course that is recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework is required to comply with the same standards and is regularly audited to ensure competencies are being assessed appropriately.
JL/TAPS – The bottom-line is not about “national accreditation”. It’s the depth of the overall quality of education you receive, specifically the quality of the content and the teaching and training.
APA response – We disagree entirely. Australian Payroll Association believes it is critical with any professional qualification to be regulated by the authorised government authority to ensure the highest of standards are met. Employers rely on AQF to assure candidates hold meaningful and consistent qualifications.
JL/TAPS – My recommendation is:
- ask lots of questions about the course you are interested in and compare it to others
APA response – We agree. - investigate the experience of the institution and the course you’re interested in:
APA response – We agree.
JL/TAPS – Let’s face it: Formal qualifications are important.
APA response – We agree. The only formal payroll qualifications in Australia (ie. Recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework) are;
The full email from Jason Low/TAPS (sent by email 21 January 2013) is below:
Payroll qualifications: How to choose what’s best for your career
I’d like to help clarify some confusion about payroll qualifications. There have been recent claims made about some new qualifications in payroll as being the “only nationally accredited payroll qualifications in Australia”.
The use of the word “only” will clearly concern anyone involved in or considering payroll qualifications.
So let me help clarify by answering questions you might have:
Q. Does the claim “only nationally accredited” really mean it is the only official qualification for payroll?
No.
Not all “nationally accredited qualifications” are created equal. They fall into two categories:
- Government owned courses are developed with public funds and are available in the public domain.
- Privately owned courses are developed with private funds and have a set expiration date.
There are no government created qualifications for payroll.
Critically, a privately owned “qualification” fails to tell the full story of the quality of the particular course, the institution, and their professional credibility within the industry.
The bottom-line is not about “national accreditation”. It’s the depth of the overall quality of education you receive, specifically the quality of the content and the teaching and training.
My recommendation is:
- ask lots of questions about the course you are interested in and compare it to others
- investigate the experience of the institution and the course you’re interested in:
- who runs and owns it?
- do they and the institution have a transparent and trustworthy track record?
- find those who’ve done the course you’re interested in and ask them about the quality and relevance of the content, the teaching methods and the calibre of the teachers.
Concerning experience and track-record, in 1991 The Association for Payroll Specialists (TAPS) recognised that there were no formal qualifications for payroll professionals, so we established the Payroll Management Certificate. To ensure the qualification is of the highest possible standard, TAPS have partnered with Charles Sturt University, this allows graduates to receive their certificate from a highly respected and internationally recognised learning institution.
Q. Is there any advantage for me from a link with a University?
Absolutely yes!
Let’s face it: Formal qualifications are important. They prove to potential employers that you “know your stuff” and that you are capable of studying, absorbing information and have been tested. Combined with work experience, qualifications help you to progress your career.
TAPS started the first course and qualification for payroll in Australia more than two decades ago. Today, it remains the most trusted and transparent option for participants looking to take the next steps in their careers.
Run by TAPS under the supervision of Charles Sturt University, the course continues to grow. The link with the University ensures that our courses are continually scrutinised for relevance to the market as well as underlining their credibility.
In fact, Charles Sturt University is so impressed by the quality of our course that they award our successful students with two subject credits towards a Graduate Certificate in Professional Development. This is an innovative postgraduate qualification which is individually tailored and specialised to further the career of each graduate.
Q. Which course is best for my career long-term?
My counsel to anyone investigating payroll courses is to look for:
- experience, credibility and a good track record
- partnerships with leading tertiary education institutions which can extend educational horizons
- excellent recommendations from both businesses and individuals who’ve done the course
- transparency in terms of who owns and runs it.
Jason Low
TAPS
