Lapsing and automatic cancellation of Registration

Lapse of VET Registration

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

ASQA will notify providers that their registration has lapsed.

Lapsing is an automatic function of the NVR Act, not a decision made by ASQA. As such, it is not subject to review or appeal. 

Automatic Cancellation (lapse) of ESOS Registration

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

ASQA will notify providers that their registration has been automatically cancelled.

Request to extend the measurement period

Providers can request an extension to the measurement period for non-delivery. The request must be made at least 90 days prior to the end of the 12-month measurement period, late applications cannot be accepted.

ASQA has no power to unilaterally extend the measurement period. An application to extend must be made by the provider via the following webform:

Request to extend measurement period

The request must be supported by evidence of extenuating circumstances outside the provider's control that prevent delivery of training, identify the length of the requested extension and include a detailed plan for resuming delivery.

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.

ASQA can provide an extension to the measurement period up to a maximum of 12 months for any individual RTO or ESOS provider, after which no further extensions are available. Providers will be notified of the outcome of their request prior the lapse date.

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

Initial registration

Providers that lapse or are not prohibited or disadvantaged from re-applying to register at any time, through usual market entry processes.