Revised quality Standards

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is revising the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 (the Standards) with the aim of providing greater clarity for RTOs and regulators, strengthening the focus on quality outcomes for learners and employers, and allowing for more flexibility and innovation in training delivery. 

In February 2023, Skills and Workforce Ministers agreed that revised Standards for RTOs would commence on 1 January 2025.

The draft 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. The draft revised Standards also include monitoring and evaluation of RTO practices and strengthened requirements relating to continuous improvement. Quality outcomes and sustained compliance with the Standards are achieved when RTOs systematically monitor and evaluate their performance and continuously improve. This aligns with moving the sector towards self-assurance.

The draft revised Standards released by DEWR on 16 October 2023 have been refined in preparation for piloting. DEWR worked through feedback received through public consultation undertaken from November 2022 to January 2023 and ongoing engagement with VET sector stakeholders. DEWR has engaged ASQA at key milestones throughout the development of the draft revised Standards, as part of its stakeholder consultation and to obtain the view of the national VET regulator.

ASQA will conduct additional pilot activities after the revised Standards are finalised and released.

You can read more about the revision of the Standards for RTOs on the DEWR website under Quality Reforms.