JOB SITE
WHS
Work Health and Safety
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Training that teaches workers how to stay safe and prevent accidents at work.
RSA
Responsible Service of Alcohol
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A certificate you need in Australia to legally serve alcohol in bars, restaurants, or clubs.
HSC
Higher School Certificate
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The Higher School Certificate (HSC) in New South Wales is the credential awarded to students who successfully complete their final years of secondary education, typically in Year 12.
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
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Gear or clothing you wear to protect yourself from injuries or hazards at work, like helmets, gloves, safety glasses, high-visibility vests, or steel-toe boots.
RCG
Responsible Conduct of Gambling
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A certificate you need in Australia to legally work in venues where gambling happens, like casinos, clubs, or pubs.
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
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The ATAR is a rank that shows how well a student did in school compared to other students and can be used to get into university.
FIFO
Fly-In Fly-Out
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A type of work arrangement where employees, often in mining or remote industries, fly to a distant job site for a set period of work and then fly back home for their time off.
TAFE
Technical and Further Education
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It’s a system of colleges in Australia that offers practical, career-focused courses and qualifications, like certificates, diplomas, and short courses, often in areas like hospitality, construction, IT, or health.
VET
Vocational Education and Training
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At school, VET (Vocational Education and Training) lets students learn practical skills and gain qualifications in areas like hospitality, construction, Primary Industries, or Sports Coaching while still completing their HSC. It often includes hands-on work, industry placements, and nationally recognised certificates that can help students start a career or continue their training after school.
HR
Human Resources
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A department in larger workplaces that looks after employees, including hiring, training, pay, workplace policies, and resolving any issues between staff.
RTO
Registered Training Organisation
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A school, college, or training provider that is officially approved to deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and issue nationally recognised qualifications.
How to recognise a bad or untrustworthy RTO:
Not on the official register – You can check the government website (training.gov.au) to see if the RTO is registered.
Unrealistic promises – Be wary if they guarantee jobs immediately after completion or promise “too-good-to-be-true” results.
Poor course materials or support – If they provide outdated resources, minimal teacher contact, or no practical training, that’s a red flag.
Hidden fees – Legitimate RTOs clearly list all costs upfront. Surprise charges are a warning sign.
No proper assessments or recognition – An RTO must assess your skills and knowledge; if they give certificates without proper training, that’s not legitimate.
ROSA
Record of School Achievement
-----------------------------------------------------------The Record of School Achievement (RoSA) in New South Wales is an official transcript that records the academic achievements of students who leave school before completing the Higher School Certificate. You might need this to apply for TAFE
SWMS
Safe Work Method Statement
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A document that explains how a specific job will be done safely, outlining the steps, potential hazards, and the safety measures workers must follow to prevent accidents.
AQF
Australian Qualifications Framework.
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The national system that organises and levels all qualifications in Australia, from certificates and diplomas to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, so everyone knows what each qualification means.
HECS
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
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This is a government system in Australia that helps students pay for university fees and lets them repay the money through their taxes once they earn enough (approx $54000 a year in 2026).