Please read the below important information in relation to VITA insurance.

If you have any questions please contact ATDPEnquiries@dva.gov.au

• The deadline of 31 December 2021 is imposed by the ESO-run Veterans’ Indemnity and Training Association Inc. (VITA) on their members, and not DVA (ATDP).
• VITA have indicated that they will not extend their deadline for professional indemnity and personal accident insurance for TIP-trained C3 and C4 advocates.
  • In 2017, VITA advised their members they cannot provide professional indemnity insurance cover beyond 31 December 2021 for Level 3 and Level 4 TIP-trained advocates who have not gained an equivalent ATDP qualification. A copy of this letter is available on the ATDP website.
  • The deadline VITA imposed on its members is linked to the old proscribed TIP re-training time-frame and any affected advocates have had nearly four years to undergo the ATDP RPL process.
•  Any ESOs wishing to continue uninterrupted VITA professional indemnity and personal accident insurance cover for TIP-trained Level 3 and Level 4 advocates will need to ensure that these advocates have completed their Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through ATDP by 31 December 2021.
•  Any ESOs wishing to nominate C3 or C4 advocates to complete the relevant RPL process before VITA’s 31 December 2021 deadline should do so as soon as possible to avoid any potential delays caused by overloading the volunteer assessors.
• RPL for a qualification through ATDP will continue to be available after 31 December 2021, and VITA insurance can continue or re-start for ESOs and their advocates meeting VITA’s requirements.
• Since July 2021, DVA has adjusted the ATDP RPL process for the Course in Military Advocacy (Course) to better accommodate TIP-trained Level 3 or Level 4 advocates who are seeking RPL for an ATDP qualification at Level 3 or Level 4 as appropriate.
•  These changes include:
  • assessment being undertaken remotely;
  • a move from group to individual RPL processes;
  • introducing a step to give an advocate options for continuing the process
    • meet all relevant competencies through RPL - including all evidence and tests;
    • meet all competencies through a mix of RPL, training, and further experience;
    • decide not to continue with RPL, and
  • allowing all course prerequisites to be assessed at the one time if necessary. ( A reminder C2 is a pre-requisite for C3 which is a pre-requisite for C4 – each is for a different focus of advocacy and competencies for each must be met to gain that Unit of Competency)
    • DVA’s contracted Registered Training Organisation continues to maintain the assessment standards of the competencies making up the Course.
• Advocates with ATDP qualifications and connected with an eligible ESO have access to the ATDP Continuing Professional Development to maintain their skills and knowledge.
•  Any ESOs wishing to apply for, or which have recently applied for funding under the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grant program need to consider the implications of this VITA deadline.
• These implications may affect any work their funding application applies to, any TIP-trained Level 3 or Level 4 advocates named in their application, and in future years what claims information can be used to support an application.
• Compensation Level 3 training is available to those TIP-trained C3 advocates who either don’t wish to undertake RPL for C3, or who want to benefit from what’s available in the training through ATDP can be nominated by their ESO at any time. (Some may need to gain a C2 Statement of Attainment first)
• Compensation Level 4 training is not yet available.