In vocational education and training, it’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed by the terminology — training packages, qualifications, units of competency and everything underneath them.

A clear way to understand this is to picture the system as a layered model, moving from
the broadest level down to the detailed components. This approach helps learners, trainers, and organisations
see how everything fits together.

Layer 1: Training Packages

Training packages sit at the top of the hierarchy. They outline the skills and knowledge needed across an
entire industry sector. A training package includes:

• A set of units of competency
• A list of qualifications
• Assessment requirements and guidelines for industry

Layer 2: Qualifications

Each training package contains multiple qualifications at different AQF levels. A qualification is made up of:

• Core units (mandatory)
• Elective units (chosen to meet job roles or skill needs)

Example: CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support is a qualification within the CHC Training Package.

Layer 3: Units of Competency

Units of competency describe what a learner must know and be able to do. They define:

• Required skills
• Required knowledge
• How competency must be demonstrated

Layer 4: Elements, Performance Criteria and Evidence

At the micro level, each unit contains:

• Elements – the major tasks
• Performance criteria – how each task must be carried out
• Assessment evidence – what an assessor must see to confirm competence

These are the building blocks that inform lesson planning, training delivery, and assessment.

The Layered Model at a Glance

Training Package
        ↓
Qualification
        ↓
Units of Competency
        ↓
Elements, Performance Criteria and Evidence

By explaining the system this way, trainers and learners can easily understand how each layer connects —
from the industry-wide framework right down to the individual skills and knowledge demonstrated in assessment.

 

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