Welcome to the March Update
The revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2025 (2025 Standards) have been released by the Commonwealth Government. These Standards specify the requirements for organisations to obtain and maintain registration and deliver nationally recognised training. The key components include:
- Outcome Standards;
- Compliance Standards incorporating the Compliance Requirements, Fit and Proper Person Requirements and the Nationally Recognised Training Logo Conditions of Use; and
- Credential Policy.
On 14 March 2025, the Commonwealth Government published the 2025 Standards in the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVETRA). This legislation applies to all RTOs that are registered with the national VET Regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
To bring the 2025 Standards into effect in Western Australia for all RTOs registered with the Council, amendments to the Western Australian Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 are required and this work has commenced. Subject to timing of these regulatory amendments, planned implementation for TAC regulated RTOs to meet the 2025 Standards is from July 2025.
It is recommended that RTOs review the 2025 Standards to understand their intent and the desired outcomes. RTOs should begin assessing their systems, processes, policies, and practices against the 2025 Standards to ensure alignment and identify any necessary modifications. Further information on the 2025 Standards is available in the Online Guidance Hub which has been updated to reflect the final version of the 2025 Standards and guidance policy.
The Council acknowledges that most RTOs strive for compliance and quality outcomes and are likely to already have many necessary measures in place. During the transition, the Council will work closely with RTOs, ensuring a responsive and proportionate regulatory approach in line with the TAC Risk Framework.
TAC Education Program
Upcoming Events:
Webinar Recordings:
View the TAC Education Program to access professional development opportunities, support and guidance materials and access previous webinar recordings and resources.
Navigating Inclusive VET Environments
This webinar addresses the key topics of Diversity and Inclusion (Standard 2.5) and Wellbeing (Standard 2.6) from the 2025 Standards for RTOs.
Update to Online Guidance Hub
The Online Guidance Hub has been updated to reflect the final version of the 2025 Standards. The accompanying guidance has also been updated.
The following Fact Sheet, aligned with the 2025 Standards, is now available:
These resources are designed to support RTOs in navigating the 2025 Standards and ensuring compliance.
2025 Standards - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the draft policy versions of the revised Standards, Credential Policy, and Compliance Requirements, and the legislative instruments?
The policy drafts have been developed over the course of the past four years, following significant consultation with the VET sector, and were agreed by the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council in May 2024. The Commonwealth Government’s legislative instruments reflect the policy drafts, with some minor wording changes to give legal effect to the policy intent and to reflect key feedback received through the public survey on the Compliance Requirements and Credential Policy.
The Commonwealth Government has published the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025 and the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Compliance Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations and Fit and Proper Person Requirements) Instrument 2025 on the Federal Register and the Credential Policy on training.gov.au. This legislation applies to all RTOs that are registered with the national VET Regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
To bring the 2025 Standards into effect in Western Australia for all RTOs registered with the Council, amendments to the Western Australian Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 are required and this work has commenced. Once the amendments have been completed, TAC regulated RTOs will be required to meet the 2025 Standards and the Credential Policy.
Until then, TAC will refer to the 2025 Standards Policy documents rather than the Commonwealth legislative instruments, as these do not apply to TAC regulated RTOs.
Why are the Outcome Standards, Compliance Requirements and the Credential Policy separate documents?
This approach reflects early feedback from the sector that the mix of quality-oriented and compliance-focused requirements in the 2015 Standards causes undue focus on prescriptive compliance at the expense of good organisational practises that deliver quality outcomes for learners and employers, and that the current Standards are complex and difficult to navigate.
The purpose of the Standards is to:
- support RTOs to deliver nationally consistent, high-quality training that leads to quality outcomes for students, industry, employers and the Australian community;
- ensure training and assessment delivered by RTOs meets industry requirements (as set out in training packages and accredited courses), and ensures students are well equipped for employment and further study; and
- ensure RTOs operate with integrity and consider the needs of both students and industry.
The Outcomes Standards are the foundation for quality training – describing key factors that contribute to quality VET. They set out the key elements of quality training and assessment, which organisations must demonstrate to be registered, and maintain registration, as a training provider.
The Compliance Requirements (including the Fit and Proper Person Requirements and Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) Logo Conditions of Use Policy) set out requirements relating to accountability, integrity of nationally recognised training products, and information and transparency that RTOs must meet at all times to protect VET students and support the integrity of Australia’s VET sector.
The Credential Policy largely reflects existing requirements drawn from the current Standards for RTOs. The policy operates alongside the Standards outlining the credentials required for delivering training and assessment and undertaking validation of assessment.
Additional FAQs are available in the Online Guidance Hub.
Changes to the RTO3 Third Party Arrangement Form
The RTO3 Third Party Arrangement Form, which was originally a PDF, is now an online eform designed to streamline the process for RTOs.
Please note under Standard 8.3 of the Standards for RTOs 2015 and under the Compliance Requirement 17: Third party arrangements of the 2025 Standards, RTOs are to notify TAC of any third party agreement:
- 30 calendar days of the agreement being entered into or prior to the obligations under the agreement taking effect, whichever occurs first; and
- 30 calendar days of the agreement ending.
The form can be accessed via the RTO portal.
Other important Updates
2025 WA Training Awards
The Council is proud to support the 2025 WA Training Awards and encourages all RTOs to promote the Awards within their organisations and amongst colleagues in the VET sector.
The WA Training Awards recognise and reward individuals and organisations that have excelled in VET – from apprentices, trainees and vocational students, to training professionals, training providers and employers committed to the training and development of their staff.
There are a number of award categories and people and organisations from across Western Australia and from all areas of training are encouraged to nominate for the Awards.
For more information and to apply for the awards visit the WA Training Awards website.
Applications close on 11 April 2025 and the Awards will be announced at a presentation ceremony to be held in Perth on 5 September 2025.
The 2025 WA Training Awards are coordinated by the Department of Training and Workforce Development and the State Training Board.
New Qualification added to the AQF
The Australian Government’s White Paper on Jobs and Opportunities: Working Future was released on 25 September 2023. The White Paper found that people will increasingly need higher-level tertiary skills as jobs require more employees with advanced levels of technical knowledge and skills. As a result, the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) has been amended to include a new qualification, the Vocational Degree.
The Vocational Degree was introduced to leverage the strengths and organisational expertise of the VET sector to deliver skills-based, industry-focused qualifications. This important reform provides students with an attractive pathway to develop a combination of high-level technical knowledge and skills.
Consultation Opportunities
- Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program - Draft Grant Guidelines (DEWR) - Closes 4 April 2025
- Have Your Say on Gen AI - Consultation Hub (JSA) - Closes 16 May 2025
Jobs and Skills Australia
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the following report:
Labour Market Update - December 2024 - 3 March
Latest NCVER Reports
NCVER has released the following reports:
