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Overview
All Australian Governments are committed to supporting high-quality training in the VET system. While the quality of training is affected by many variables, registered training organisations (RTOs) have a critical role in ensuring training delivery on the ground is high-quality and meets the diverse range of learner and employer needs.
Reforms are currently underway to better support RTOs to achieve this. These reforms include revising the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 (the Standards) to ensure they are clear and outcome-focused and developing a Blueprint for the VET Workforce to support, grow and retain a quality VET workforce. These reforms will be supported by work to help build RTO capability and capacity, including developing tools and resources and supporting continuous improvement.
Revising the Standards for RTOs
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.
Development of the revised Standards has been informed by comprehensive consultation with and feedback from the sector, along with analysis of quality standards from other sectors, expert reviews, and research. The revised Standards propose significant changes to the structure and content of the Standards, providing a clearer and more direct link between the requirements RTOs are expected to meet and the outcomes they are expected to deliver.
A public consultation process on an earlier draft of the revised Standards was held from November 2022 to January 2023. This included opportunities for the sector to provide written feedback and participate in a range of online and face-to-face forums across all states and territories. Taking into account feedback received, the draft revised Standards were refined in preparation for piloting.
Piloting the revised Standards
In late 2023, piloting of the draft revised Standards was undertaken, in collaboration with VET regulators. Piloting sought to test the practical application of the revised Standards, ensure they support effective regulation, and ensure that RTO performance against the draft revised Standards is measurable and can be effectively evidenced across different RTO settings.
Summary of outcomes from the piloting activities
Following the pilot process, refinements have been made to the draft revised Standards to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and meet the needs of the sector.
Next steps for the draft revised Standards
The revised Standards will be in place from 1 January 2025, and come into full regulatory effect from 1 July 2025.
Read about the revised Standards
Blueprint for the VET Workforce
The VET Workforce Blueprint identifies opportunities and actions to address challenges and barriers to the attraction, retention and development of the VET workforce.