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RTOs
  • What is an RTO?
  • How to become an RTO
    • Prepare your RTO application
    • Submit your RTO registration application
    • How we assess RTO applications
    • RTO application decision
  • Renew RTO registration
    • How to renew your registration
    • How we assess your registration renewal
  • Change RTO scope
    • Change RTO scope | Add training products
    • Change RTO scope | TAE Training Package evidence
    • Change RTO scope | Application process
    • Change RTO scope | Remove training products
    • When training products change
  • Withdraw registration
  • Requirements and responsibilities
    • Complying with legislation
    • Complying with ASQA requirements
    • Qualifications and statements of attainment
    • Data collection and provision
    • Other licensing and registration requirements
  • Change RTO details
    • Change business address
    • Change key staff or their contact details
    • Change legal or business name
    • Change scope of registration
    • Change to financial status
    • Change to legal entity type, ownership, and mergers
    • Changes due to COVID-19
    • Keep delivery locations updated
  • Focus on compliance - Spotlight On
    • Series 1 | Trainers and assessors
    • Series 2 | Assessment Validation
    • Series 3 | Assessment
    • Series 4 | Student support
    • Series 5 | Marketing and advertising
  • Users’ guide to the Standards for RTOs 2015
    • Introduction to the RTO standards users' guide
    • Chapter 1—Marketing and recruitment
    • Chapter 2—Enrolment
    • Chapter 3—Support and progression
    • Chapter 4—Training and assessment
    • Chapter 5—Completion
    • Chapter 6—Regulatory compliance and governance practice
    • Appendix 1—Index to Standards/clauses as referenced in the users’ guide
    • Self-assessment tool
  • ASQA delegations
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  • RTOs
  • What is an RTO?

What is an RTO?

Registered training organisations

Registered training organisations (RTOs) deliver nationally recognised training in the VET sector. To deliver this training, they need to be approved by ASQA.

RTOs are the only organisations in the Australian VET system authorised to:

  • deliver and assess nationally recognised training
  • issue nationally recognised qualifications and statements of attainment
  • apply for government funding to provide VET services.

More than 4 million students study VET each year. VET is the main way Australians upskill or reskill.

There are about 4000 RTOs in Australia, most of them are regulated by ASQA. 

The national register includes a list of all RTOs.

Vocational Education and Training

VET provides students with practical skills and knowledge so they can contribute to the national workforce.

VET accredited courses and qualifications help students to:

  • get qualified for a new career
  • return or enter the workforce
  • upskill current qualifications
  • enter university.

Unless your organisation is a registered RTO listed on the national register you cannot advertise, offer or deliver VET.

VET courses and qualifications

VET course qualifications are:

  • certificate I, II, III and IV
  • diploma
  • advanced diploma
  • vocational graduate certificate and diploma.

If you are a student looking for a particular course, visit My Skills.

VET providers

There are a range of VET providers, these include:

  • technical and further education (TAFE) or similar public institutes
  • private providers
  • enterprise RTOs that deliver training to their staff
  • some schools and universities
  • professional or industry associations
  • not for profit community based adult education providers.

Delivering VET to overseas students

Training providers must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to teach overseas students who are in Australia on a student visa.

These are known as Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) providers.

How RTOs are regulated

ASQA is the regulator for all providers delivering training in:

  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania 
  • Australian Capital Territory 
  • Northern Territory 
  • New South Wales.

ASQA also regulates providers in Victoria and Western Australia if they offer:

  • any course (in-class or online) within ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA and TAS
  • courses to overseas students in Australia on a student visa.

Related links

  • ASQA’s role
  • How we regulate
  • What is CRICOS
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