Lapsing and automatic cancellation of Registration

Lapse of Registration

An RTO’s registration will automatically lapse under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 if it does not deliver any training and/or assessment to VET students for a consecutive period of 12 months or more (the ‘measurement period’). This applies to any consecutive 12-month period after 1 January 2023.  

ASQA will notify providers that they have lapsed and require them to return their certificate of registration within 10 days of notification.  

Automatic Cancellation

An ESOS provider's registration will be automatically cancelled under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 if it does not deliver a course, to overseas students, for a consecutive period of 12 months (the ‘measurement period’). This applies to any consecutive 12-month period after 1 January 2026.

ASQA will notify providers that they have been automatically cancelled.
 

How can I request to extend my measurement period?

RTOs and ESOS providers can request an extension to the measurement period for non-delivery. The request must be made 90 days prior to the RTO’s lapse date and/or ESOS providers automatic cancellation date.

ASQA has no power to unilaterally extend the measurement period for an RTO or ESOS provider. An application to extend must be made by the RTO and/or ESOS provider.

An RTO and ESOS provider must provide details of the circumstances outside the RTO and/or ESOS provider's control that caused it not to provide training and/or assessment for 12 consecutive months, with supporting evidence if ASQA is to consider granting an extension.

It is intended that ASQA will extend measurement periods sparingly, and only in select and specific circumstances where compelling reasons outside the provider’s control can be demonstrated, such as:

• exceptional personal circumstances – for example death or prolonged illness of an Executive Officer in a small RTO or ESOS provider
• exceptional external circumstances – for example major fire, flood, or pandemic events
• critical VET workforce shortages – for example a regional RTO that is unable to deliver its usual courses due to a critical, ongoing shortage of trainers and assessors.

The request must be supported by evidence of the extenuating circumstances and identify the length of the requested extension along with a detailed plan for resuming delivery of training and/or assessment.

Examples of reasons for non-delivery that ASQA is unlikely to consider warrant granting an extension:

• a protracted sale or intention to sell the RTO or ESOS provider
• dormancy while awaiting state funding contracts
• deliberate “hibernation” of an RTO by avoiding training and/or assessment in its first period of registration
• lengthy overseas travel or voluntary absence by an Executive Officer of an RTO or ESOS provider.

A request for an extension can be made via the Request to extend measurement period webform.

ASQA can provide an extension to the measurement period up to a maximum of 12 months for any individual RTO or ESOS provider. Providers will be notified of the outcome of their request prior the lapse date.

If the RTO disagrees with ASQA’s decision regarding the extension request, it may apply for reconsideration of the decision.

RTOs that lapse or are not prohibited from re-applying to register as an RTO may apply at any time through usual market entry processes.

For more information about applying for an extension to the measurement period see How can I request to extend my no delivery period? 

Example

An RTO has not delivered training and/or assessment since 1 September 2024. If the nil delivery continues until 31 August 2025, the RTO’s registration will lapse.  

The RTO will need to submit an application for an extension to the measurement period, along with the necessary supporting evidence, at least 90 days prior to 31 August 2025 (the date its registration would otherwise lapse).  

If the RTO submits an extension request with the necessary supporting evidence on 1 June 2025 (at least 90 days prior), ASQA will assess that request and notify the RTO of its decision prior to 31 August 2025. If the RTO disagrees with ASQA’s decision on the extension request, it may apply for reconsideration.

If the RTO does not request an extension, or its extension request is not approved, its registration will lapse at the end of the day on 31 August 2025 with no opportunity for review.