On 20 September, the Skills Ministers endorsed the revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (the Standards), which are planned to take effect on July 1, 2025. The Standards are available for download from the Commonwealth Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) website.
The Standards, which are consolidated into three documents, are collectively known as the Standards Package, and include:
- The Outcome Standards – describes the quality outcomes expected from RTOs
- Compliance Requirements – sets out the administrative and compliance requirements to support integrity, including the Fit and Proper Person Requirements and NRT Logo Conditions of Use Policy.
- Credential Policy – sets out the credential requirements for delivering training and assessment and undertaking validation
Why the Standards are changing
The Standards have been revised to strengthen the focus on quality outcomes for learners and employers, provide greater clarity for RTOs and regulators, and allow for more flexibility and innovation in training delivery across the sector. These changes better reflect the diversity of the VET sector and ensure the Standards are fit-for-purpose across different RTO settings. This will help embed quality aspirations and ensure the Standards clearly articulate characteristics required of RTOs to foster a shared understanding of what constitutes high-quality delivery for all users of the VET system.
The Standards provide a clearer and more direct link between the requirements RTOs are expected to meet and the outcomes they are expected to deliver.
Final agreement to the legislative instruments to enact the revised Standards for RTOs will be sought from Skills Ministers in late 2024 for planned implementation in July 2025.
Feedback Survey
DEWR are now seeking feedback on the draft Credential Policy and Compliance Requirements to ensure they are clear, that their purpose is understood, and to identify any concerns with how RTOs might meet the requirements.
Click here to take part in the survey which closes on 20 October 2024.
What's Next
The Training Accreditation Council is committed to supporting RTOs in their transition to the revised Standards.
Webinars
TAC is offering a series of webinars, beginning with a webinar on an overview of the Standards on 23 October and a webinar on Creating a Child Safe Organisation on 28 October. Please note that participation in the live sessions is restricted to TAC regulated RTOs only. Recordings of these sessions will be available on the TAC YouTube channel.
Revised Standards for RTOs: an overview Register Now
For TAC RTOs Only - Wed 23rd Oct 2024, 10:00 am - 11:30 am AWST
Creating a Child Safe Organisation by WACOSS Register Now
For TAC RTOs Only - Mon 28th Oct 2024, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm AWST
Based on feedback from the TAC Pilot and surveys of RTOs, subsequent webinars will focus on areas where RTOs have expressed a need for further clarification and guidance. This includes information on topics such as culturally safe learning environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, navigating inclusive VET environments, and continuous improvement.
Fact Sheets
TAC is also actively reviewing and updating its Fact Sheets to ensure they align with the revised Standards. New Fact Sheets will be created as needed to address any gaps in information.
Online Guidance Hub & Policy Guidance
A dedicated online resource on the TAC website will be available shortly. The Policy Guidance developed by DEWR in consultation with VET Regulators, will be available as part of TAC’s online guidance hub to support training providers, trainers and assessors in understanding the revised Standards. Importantly, a key focus of the policy guidance is to describe the policy intent of the Outcome Standards to support a consistent understanding and application of these among training providers.
The online guidance hub will be regularly updated to provide RTOs with the most current information and guidance.
Stay Informed
To stay informed about these resources as they become available, please subscribe to the TAC Update, Humanitix (for webinars), or LinkedIn.
