How we assess RTO applications

Once your lodgement fee is paid we review your application to check it is complete. We also review your fit and proper person declarations and financial viability.

If your application is incomplete, you have 5 business days to provide the missing information.

When your application is complete, you’ll receive an assessment fee invoice. Once the fee is paid we assess your registration application and evidence to ensure it meets the relevant standards.

If we identify that you have not yet met the relevant Standards, you may be given an opportunity to respond.
We will send you a letter when we have made a decision about your application.

Assessment process

There are 5 steps in the assessment process:

1.    Meet your assessor

You will be assigned an assessor who will call you to discuss:

• the process
• dates for your opening meeting and interview days
• your interview (in person or video conferencing).

2.    Opening meeting

This meeting is between you and your assessor. Your assessor will explain the registration assessment process to make sure you understand it.

This is your chance to ask any questions, and you can provide more information about your organisation.

3.    Evidence review and interview

Your assessor will review the evidence provided with your application and may request more evidence or information from you.

They will arrange an interview either at your premises or by video conference. You may have more than one interview.

The interview process helps us to:

• understand how your organisation intends to operate
• clarify the information you’ve provided
• explore your organisation’s compliance against the standards.

We may also interview your management and proposed trainers and assessors.

During the interview your assessor will validate your evidence. They may collect evidence from observing your facility in person, or virtually.

Depending on the scope of your assessment, evidence may be gathered from your training equipment and resources (physical or virtual).

4.    Closing meeting

Your assessor will arrange a closing meeting with you, to discuss any issues identified during the review.

After the closing meeting your assessor will:

• review any additional evidence requested from you
• prepare your registration assessment report (includes any areas that do not meet the relevant standards and the reasons for our decision).

5.    Decision

If your application meets the relevant standards:

We will make a decision about your application.

If your application does not meet the relevant standards:

You will receive a registration assessment report and a notification letter.

Your registration assessment report will detail the areas that your application does not meet the relevant standards and how to address them.

You have 20 business days to respond. Your due date will be listed in your notice letter.