Becoming a registered training organisation
Why become a registered training organisation?
Only registered training organisations (RTOs) can:
- issue nationally-recognised VET qualifications and statements of attainment
- apply for state and Commonwealth Government funding
- offer training to overseas students
To become an RTO, a training provider must be audited and evaluated by a state or territory training authority to ensure that it can provide training and assessment services in accordance with a set of national standards known as the Australian Quality Training Framework. An RTO's registration may be cancelled or suspended if the organisation does not continue to meet the quality standards.
Seccondary schools, TAFE colleges, private providers, industry associations, employers, community education providers and universities can all be RTOs.
A registration in any state or territory is valid in all states and territories.
For more information, see www.training.com.au for the benefits of being an RTO.
The process
To become an RTO an organisation must comply with the nationally agreed standards set out in the Australian Quality Training Framework Standards for registered training organisations.
After an organisation applies to become an RTO, the application is evaluated. The evaluation includes a visit to the organisation's premises and an audit of facilities, policies and procedures.
In checking an organisation's capacity to comply with the AQTF standards, particular attention is paid to evidence of the organisation's:
- systems for quality training and assessment
- compliance with Commonwealth, state/territory legislation and regulatory requirements
- effective financial management procedures
- effective administration and records management procedures
- recognition of qualifications issued by other RTOs
- access and equity and client service
- competence of trainers and/or assessors
- learning and assessment strategies
- issuance of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and Statements of Attainment
- use of national and state/territory logos
- ethical marketing and advertising policies.
For additional information, see the DEEWR website and www.training.com.au
Additional requirements for organisations delivering training to overseas students
RTOs are not automatically eligible to deliver training to overseas students.
Organisations that wish to deliver training to overseas students are required to comply with specific legislation regarding international education and training, and must complete additional registration processes.
For more information, see the international markets section on www.training.com.au.
Additional requirements for organisations seeking to deliver training for Australian Apprenticeships
RTOs are not automatically eligible to access funding for delivery of training for Australian Apprenticeships.
Funding for delivery of training under Australian Apprenticeships is managed at state/territory level under the policy of ‘User Choice’ and any RTO seeking to access this funding will need to make a formal application to the relevant state/territory training authority.
To apply to deliver training under User Choice arrangements in a particular state or territory, an RTO must:
- check that the qualification they are seeking to deliver is available as a Australian Apprenticeship in that state/territory
- have scope of registration for the qualification
- submit an application to that state/territory training authority
- If an RTO seeks to access this funding in several states/territories, it is required to make a separate application for each state/territory.
- For more information and state/territory links, see the user choice section on www.training.com.au.
More information
State and territory registering/ course accrediting bodies
Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (NSW)
The Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) registers and monitors organisations that provide vocational education and training, accredits courses, and provides advice on registration, accreditation and quality endorsement.
www.vetab.nsw.gov.au
Skills Victoria (VIC)
Skills Victoria provides strategic advice and analysis of Victoria's skill needs, and acts as the system manager for the vocational education and training sector.
www.skills.vic.gov.au
Training and Employment Recognition Council (Qld)
The Training and Employment Recognition Council is responsible for registration and regulation of training organisations, apprenticeships, traineeships, and vocational placements, as well as course accreditation.
www.training.qld.gov.au
Training Accreditation Council (WA)
The Training Accreditation Council (TAC) is responsible for assuring the quality of vocational education and training in Western Australia.
www.tac.wa.gov.au
Training and Skills Commission (SA)
The Training and Skills Commission is the peak advisory body and regulatory authority on post school education and training in SA (excluding the public universities).
www.training.sa.gov.au
Tasmanian Qualifications Authority (Tas)
The Tasmanian Qualifications Authority (TQA) accredits vocational education and training courses not covered by national training packages and registers vocational education and training providers.
www.tqa.tas.gov.au
Accreditation and Registration Council (ACT)
The ACT Accreditation and Registration Council (ARC) is responsible for the registration of training organisations and the accreditation of courses in the vocational education and training sector in the ACT. ARC also accredits courses in the non-university higher education sector.
www.det.act.gov.au
Department of Employment, Education and Training (NT)
The Department of Employment, Education and Training provides advice to Government, improves training accessibility in regional and remote areas, and implements the National Training Framework, as well as quality assurance initiatives.
www.deet.nt.gov.au
