COVID-19 FAQs

Yes, ECTARC is open and here to support you with your studies. In the interest of the safety and wellbeing of our wonderful staff some will be working remotely, however, will be available to receive enquiries by email and phone as normal. When you call the ECTARC office you will be asked who your Training and Development Officer (TDO) is and, if they are working remotely on that day, a message will be sent for them to contact you. If it is a normal working day for your TDO, they will respond promptly. In the case where your TDO is not working that day, if your enquiry is urgent there is always someone who will be able to assist you.

Nothing has changed in the way you submit your written assignments – you will have 24-hour access to the ECTARC Training Portal and ECTARC Student Management Portal to do this.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking additional steps to make sure everyone can stay healthy and safe when we visit your service. Training and Development Officers (TDOs) are required to monitor the latest health advice and in consultation with their Manager will assess the suitability of conducting workplace visits.

TDOs are provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hand sanitiser to use before, during and after service visits.  They have been provided with face masks for use while in your service and will (where possible) maintain physical distancing, keeping at least 1.5m from others.  TDOs will follow any additional precautions that your service has in place (e.g. temperature checks or travel declarations).

Other strategies that are being implemented include:

• Restricting visits to one Local Government Area per day
• Shorter visit times
• Travelling directly to and from service visits – only leaving the vehicle for essential purposes
• Continuing to undertake virtual practical assessments and support to compliment face to face visits

It is very important that you inform us in advance if anyone in your service is unwell, or self-isolating because they are at risk of becoming unwell, with COVID-19.  Unfortunately, due to strict public health requirements we will be unable to attend if anyone in your service is unwell, in self-isolation or your area becomes a COVID-19 location. We will of course treat this information in strict confidence and will be happy to reschedule your visit for another time.

When both scheduling the visit and on the morning of the visit, the TDO will call your service to ask a series of COVID-19 related questions.  Additional information can be found by visiting https://ectarc.com.au/training/about/faqs/ or by contacting your TDO.

Please visit your state health and other government departments websites for current vaccination information and requirements for students, volunteers and employees working in education and care services to see what the requirements are for your state. If vaccination is required, you will need to meet these requirements to successfully complete your qualification (unless all work placement hours and practical assessments were satisfactorily completed prior to these requirements being introduced).

Where vaccination is required and you choose to not meet these requirements, and have not yet completed all work placement hours and practical assessment requirements, this will affect your ability to complete your qualification. All work placement hours and practical assessments must be satisfactorily completed to be deemed Competent in a unit and where this cannot be achieved a Statement of Attainment/qualification cannot be issued.

ASQA has clearly stated that all Work Placement Hours must still be completed. This means we cannot issue a Statement of Attainment or Qualification until they are finished. If you do not have a service you can access throughout this time, you will need to wait until a time that you can. For our Flexible Study students, please do not worry if this means you will need to go beyond your enrolment period – speak to your TDO and we will ensure you are provided with sufficient time to complete this requirement. For Trainees and Apprentices, if you have concerns about not being able to complete your assessment requirements please speak to your TDO. If it means that you will go beyond your contract end date, you will need to contact your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) to discuss an extension. ECTARC does not have the authority to handle employment enquiries and extensions, we are however here to support you every step of the way throughout your studies.

All employment based questions must go directly to your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information.

The Australian Government recommends visiting the website of your state health authority as they will have the most up to date, correct information.