How to Conduct an ELICOS Internal Audit
An internal audit of an ELICOS program can help ensure that the program is meeting its goals and adhering to industry standards (National Code 2018, ESOS Act 2000 and ELICOS Standards 2018). It can also be useful if you are:
- Expecting a regulatory audit, or
- Wanting to review the current quality and standards of your compliance in your college.
For those of you wanting to conduct the audit internally, here are some important tips.
- Develop an audit plan: Establish audit objectives and develop a detailed plan for conducting the audit. Identify the areas of the program that will be audited. For example, create a table listing the relevant standards from the National Code 2018, ESOS Act 2000 and ELICOS Standards 2018. Then as you check through the list, mark whether the content is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and leave a note for areas of improvement.
- Gather relevant documentation: Use all relevant documentation, including the program’s curriculum, student records, teacher evaluations, and financial records to check whether you are meeting the requirements. It is also good idea to select few students from different performance groups and check if you have all the relevant documents for meeting the compliance requirements for those particular students in order to identify the areas of improvement.
- Interview stakeholders: Interview key stakeholders, such as students, teachers, staff members, and program administrators, to gather additional information about their experience in the program.
- Conduct on-site observations: Observe classes and other program activities to gather firsthand information about the program’s implementation.
- Analyse the data: Analyse the data collected through desk review, interviews, and on-site observations.
- Write a report: Write a report summarising the findings of the internal audit, including recommendations for improvement.
- Review and implement recommendations: Review the report and develop an action plan to implement the recommendations with a clear timeframe.
ELICOS providers may also want to consult with an external ELICOS consultant to ensure that their internal audit aligns with the relevant standards.