Teaching, training and assessment resources > Regulation
Resources on this page are a mix of free and for purchase and are categorised as 'research' or 'focus on practice'. All resources listed are Australian in origin unless otherwise labelled.
Click on the following topics to access resources:
What's new in Regulation
- Revisions to the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) [added 9 October 2024]
- The Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has released the policy version of the revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), the culmination of four years of consultation across the VET sector. The standards aim to strengthen the focus on quality outcomes for learners and employers, provide greater clarity, and allow for more flexibility and innovation in training delivery. The revised standards comprise Outcome Standards, Compliance Requirements and Credential Policy.
- The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) will progressively release draft Regulatory Guidelines to support providers to transition to the revised standards. Ahead of the full suite of guidance materials, ASQA's draft Preparing for the revised Standards is now available.
- The revised Standards will come into full regulatory effect from 1 July 2025. The Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 will apply until then.
Standards
VET Quality Framework
- The VET Quality Framework is aimed at achieving greater national consistency in the way RTOs are registered and monitored and in how standards in the VET sector are enforced.
- Australian Qualifications Framework
The AQF is the national policy for regulated qualifications in the Australian education and training system as agreed by the Commonwealth, state and territory ministers. It underpins the national system of qualifications in Australia encompassing higher education, vocational education and training (VET) and schools.
The AQF is currently undergoing a review. More information can be found in VOCEDplus within the Australian Qualifications Framework collection. - Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015
- The role of the Standards is to ensure quality and consistency with the vocational training and education system. They form part of the VET Quality Framework and should be read in conjunction with:
- Standards for Training Packages
- Standards for VET Accredited Courses
- Standards for VET Regulators
- 'The purpose of these Standards is to:
- set out the requirements that an organisation must meet in order to be an RTO;
- ensure that training products delivered by RTOs meet the requirements of training packages or VET accredited courses, and have integrity for employment and further study; and
- ensure RTOs operate ethically with due consideration of learners' and enterprises' needs.' (Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, p. 5)
- Revising the Standards for RTOs
(Source: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations)
The Standards have been revised 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. The draft revised Standards were released for public consultation on 2 November 2022 by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). All providers and stakeholders were encouraged to participate in the consultation process to ensure the draft revised RTO Standards are fit-for-purpose and effective in meeting the needs of the VET sector. Public consultation on the draft Standards for RTOs concluded on 31 January 2023.
- The role of the Standards is to ensure quality and consistency with the vocational training and education system. They form part of the VET Quality Framework and should be read in conjunction with:
- Australian Qualifications Framework
Standards for Training Packages
- Training packages define the competencies required by different occupations and industries and describe how these competencies may be packaged into nationally recognised and portable qualifications that comply with the Australian Qualifications Framework. They are a key component of delivering structured, accredited training.
- The 'Training package organising framework' is a set of rules owned by Skills Ministers which include content and process requirements that guide the development and content of nationally recognised training packages. It is comprised of the following policies: (1) Standards for training packages; (2) Training package products policy; and (3) Training package products development and endorsement process policy. The framework was updated in November 2022 in preparation for the implementation of new industry engagement arrangements from January 2023.
- Training package products policy
This policy outlines the design rules that training package developers must adhere to when developing (or modifying) a training package product. - Standards for training packages
The purpose of this document is to ensure training packages are of high quality and meet the workforce development needs of industry, enterprises and individuals. - Training package products development and endorsement process policy
This document sets out the pathways and processes for training package development and identifies specific roles and accountabilities for relevant stakeholders. It also sets out where the full development and endorsement process applies, and when and how minor changes can be made to existing training packages.
- Training package products policy
Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021 [Standards 2012 repealed]
- The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021 repeal the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 and remake the Standards to align with the framework and principles set out in the Standards for Training Packages.
- 'VET accredited courses are designed to address skill requirements for industry, education, legislative, enterprise or community needs, where these are not covered in nationally endorsed Training Packages. VET accredited courses also have the capacity to address changes in skill needs, and the needs of emerging industries, in a responsive manner'. (Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021, p.5)
- 'The purpose of these Standards is to ensure that, when making decisions to accredit a course, or cancel or renew accreditation of a course, the National VET Regulator must consider whether the course: meets industry, education, legislative, enterprise or community needs; provides appropriate competency outcomes and a satisfactory basis for assessment; meets national quality assurance requirements; and is aligned to the appropriate level of the Australian Qualifications Framework where it leads to a VET qualification'. (Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2021, p.5)
Standards for VET Regulators
- 'The purpose of these Standards is to ensure:
- the integrity of nationally recognised training by regulating RTOs and VET accredited courses using a risk-based approach that is consistent, effective, proportional, responsive and transparent;
- consistency in the VET Regulator’s implementation and interpretation of the RTO Standards and Standards for VET Accredited Courses; and
- the accountability and transparency of the VET Regulator in undertaking its regulatory functions.' (Standards for VET Regulators, p. 5)
National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018
- 'Under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) the purpose of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (the National Code 2018) is to set nationally consistent standards and procedures for registered providers and for persons who deliver education services on behalf of registered providers'.
- 'The National Code supports the effective administration of the ESOS legislative framework by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments' (National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018, p. 4).
Legislation and regulation
Legislation related to education and training
- Federal legislation
- State and Territory legislation
- Australian Capital Territory
Training and Tertiary Education Act 2003 - New South Wales
Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2010
Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001
Apprenticeship and Traineeship Regulation 2017 - Northern Territory
Training and Skills Development Act 2016 - Queensland
Further Education and Training Act 2014
Further Education and Training Regulation 2014
Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2012 - South Australia
South Australian Skills Act 2008 [formerly Training and Skills Development Act 2008]
South Australian Skills Regulations 2021 - Tasmania
Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2011 - Victoria
Education and Training Reform Act 2006
Education and Training Reform Regulations 2007 - Western Australia
Vocational Education and Training Act 1996
Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009
- Australian Capital Territory
Access more items in VOCEDplus
- Podlet [archived]: Quality assurance [final update December 2018]
- Podlet [archived]: Regulation [final update December 2018]
- Regulation and governance of the VET sector
- Regulation and quality assurance
- VET legislation
Regulatory bodies
RTO guides
Free resources
VET regulator guides
- Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
- ASQA Discussion Series [2020]
Produced in collaboration with stakeholders across the VET sector, these videos aim to provide answers to common regulatory questions. They feature roundtable discussions involving ASQA auditors and VET leaders. The first video to be released is: - Distance learning: information for VET providers on how to stay compliant when adopting distance learning options
This resource provides information and advice on how to remain compliant with aspects of the Standards when using distance learning techniques and tools. - Users' guide to developing a course document [2022]
(Source: ASQA)
When applying for course accreditation, course owners need to supply key information relating to the course's training and assessment using the 'National course document template'. This is a guide to help course owners complete the template. - 'Users' Guide to the Standards for RTOs 2015' [updated 1/3/2024]
This guide has been developed by ASQA to assist registered training organisations understand their obligations under the Standards for RTOs 2015, to ensure a quality learning experience for students in the VET system.
Sections focus on:- Marketing and recruitment
- Enrolment
- Support and progression
- Training and assessment
- Completion
- Regulatory compliance and governance practice
- ASQA Discussion Series [2020]
- Training Accreditation Council
The Training Accreditation Council (TAC) is Western Australia's registering and course accrediting body. It is responsible for the quality assurance and recognition of vocational education and training (VET) services in Western Australia.- Users' guide: standards for registered training organisations 2015
TAC has published its latest edition of this guide (current as at 13 November 2020), which provides guidance on the Standards for RTOs and supports existing RTOs and organisations seeking initial registration as an RTO.
Useful guidelines:
- Users' guide: standards for registered training organisations 2015
- Victorian Regulation and Qualifications Authority
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) is Victoria's education and training regulator. With the establishment of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) as the national VET regulator, Victoria has not referred their powers to the Commonwealth and the registration of training organisations (with a number of exceptions) and accreditation of courses remain the responsibility of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) in Victoria.
Useful guidelines:
Other resources
- Australian Skills Quality Authority resources for providers
Education resources, publications, Guidance for Providers, forms, videos, reports and more. - Australian Skills Quality Authority strategic review of online learning in the VET sector [2020-]
A series of papers have been published as part of this review initiated by ASQA in 2020 - prompted by the significant number of providers who shifted their delivery online in response to the circumstances created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.- ASQA Strategic Review of Online Learning final report
This review of online learning in the VET sector was undertaken to address a regulatory risk identified in the ASQA's Regulatory Strategy 2020-22 and in the 2021-22 Regulatory Risk Priorities. The review found that whilst quality VET can be delivered online, taking into consideration the requirements of the training product, the student cohort, the skills of the trainer and assessor, and the tools, technologies, and processes for delivering online, the challenges, opportunities and risks vary depending on those factors. There is no single issue or feature that is an indicator of greater or lesser risk to quality.
- ASQA Strategic Review of Online Learning final report
- Community Colleges Australia resources to support community education providers during the Coronavirus pandemic
- Copyright and IP
(Source: Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development)
The Department provides support and advice on intellectual property and copyright for TAFE colleges and registered training organisations that deliver publicly funded training. It also offers workshops and training on how to manage IP issues and risks when using and creating training resources, recommended for lecturers, content writers or anyone dealing with IP. - Making sense of total VET activity: an initial market analysis [2016]
(Source: NCVER)
The National VET Provider Collection has expanded to include data that covers all Australian vocational education and training providers. The broader scope provides a more comprehensive picture of nationally accredited training across the VET sector. This paper explains the rationale for establishing a more comprehensive picture of Australia's VET system; it examines the outcomes of the first collection of total VET activity, analysing the completeness of 2014 training activity and highlighting the new information this broader collection brings. The paper goes on to explore whether there are any significant differences between the reported training activity of private and government-funded training providers. It looks at whether government-funded providers (TAFEs) are delivering a different mix of courses compared with private providers, student enrolments, and how completions compare. It concludes with some future directions for an improved evidence base for VET policy. - NCVER survey - Employers' use and views of the VET system
This survey collects information about employers' engagement and satisfaction with the VET system and the various ways employers use the VET system to meet their skill needs. - NCVER RTO Hub
Reporting tools, resources and support for registered training organisations. - Online learning good practice
(Source: Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency)
This resource has been collated by TEQSA to assist the sector's rapid transition to online learning during COVID-19. To date, the resources listed cover a range of topics related to online learning, from getting started and helping workforces to work online, to student experiences and assessment integrity. - Regulating and quality assuring VET: international developments [2015]
(Source: NCVER)
To reduce regulatory burden and build trust in the VET system, accreditation and registration systems are increasingly utilising principles of responsive regulation and risk analysis to help increase compliance. Approaches to the regulation of VET in selected overseas countries are investigated, and detailed systems of accreditation and registration used for approving providers to deliver training and issue nationally recognised qualifications have been identified. - Strategic review of online learning in the VET sector
This strategic review will seek to understand the challenges that providers, employers and students experience in the adoption and provision of online learning in the VET sector.- Webinar on building e-learning capability
(Source: ASQA, December 2020)
In support of the review, ASQA ran a webinar and live forum on Monday 7 December 2020 to discuss the new online skill set, the challenges of training in COVID-19 and ideas for building e-learning capability. The review is part of ASQA's regulatory strategy 2020-22, which outlines its regulatory priorities for the next two years. The review's findings will inform the development of guidance and support ASQA can offer providers to promote quality outcomes in the VET sector and support self-assurance. It will also inform how ASQA engages with its broader stakeholders about online learning and its delivery in the VET sector. - Follow up discussion webinar
(Source: ASQA, March 2021)
This follow-up discussion webinar took place on Wednesday 3 March 2021 to respond to questions raised in our December Feedback Loop 1 webinar. The live question-and-answer format allowed panellists to discuss the new online skill set, the challenges of training in COVID-19 and ideas for building e-learning capability. The webinar featured a moderated panel made up of ASQA and industry representatives.
- Webinar on building e-learning capability
- Toolkits for TVET providers [international]
(Source: UNEVOC)
This online platform provides TVET stakeholders and practitioners with information on, and access to, online, free-to-use toolkits. Multiple toolkits for TVET providers/practitioners have been, and continue to be, created. The purpose of this database is to bring the many and varied toolkits into one place and to provide a guide and resource for: (1) TVET practitioners seeking a ready-made guide or self-assessment tool on themes such as digitalization, greening and inclusion; and (2) researchers and policy makers seeking to design new organizational assessment tools for their TVET providers. - Top 10 common AVETMISS issues and how to resolve them [2022]
(Source: Compliance and Quality Assurance)
All RTOs must collect a range of data from their students and report all their delivery activity (known as Total VET activity) to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), at least annually. The Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) is a national data standard which ensures the consistency and accuracy of VET information. This resource outlines some of the most common AVETMISS issues one can experience and the methods to fix them one by one. More information can be found on NCVER's RTO Hub - VET Qualification Reform
Building on their October 2022 agreement to reform the framework for VET qualifications, Skills Ministers have recommitted to substantial qualification reform. In response to stakeholder feedback, a time-limited tripartite Qualifications Reform Design Group (Design Group) has been established. Jobs and Skills Councils will provide expert advice to the Design Group on the proposed design and their application within their industries, before further work in 2024 to develop a change program for transitioning VET qualifications. - VET provider market structures: history, growth and change [2016]
(Source: NCVER)
This report considers the past and present structure of the Australian vocational education and training (VET) market. Increasing competition in the VET sector over the last two decades means it is timely to understand how the market structure has changed.
For purchase
These are examples only of commercial producers of resources. Inclusion on this list does not signify endorsement by NCVER.
- E-Skills Australia
- RTO Policies and Procedures
These documents meet the requirements of Standards for RTOs 2015 and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018. The complete set provides a comprehensive management and compliance system that can be deployed straight away to get your RTO up and running. Based on quality principles (ISO9001: 2015), quality and compliance are embedded in each and every operation and process. - Application Guides: RTO and CRICOS registrations
These guides provide a resource for both initial registrations as well as maintaining on-going compliance at the RTO.
- RTO Policies and Procedures
- Training Tools
- Big Book of kNOw
This resource is designed to support effective validation practices. It covers aspects of 'NO' when it comes to mapping and validation of mapping practices, and includes points to 'KNOW' for best-practice results. - Info Sheet: Developing a Customised TAS
This information sheet provides a step by step approach to developing a customised Training and Assessment Strategy (TAS), including calculating the amount of training (versus the volume of learning). - Template: Record of QA Check on Assessment and Learning Materials
This template is designed to guide the internal review of your training and assessment materials, and it provides an easy framework to record improvement issues and outcomes. It also contains a glossary of terms to make it easy to understand the various requirements of assessment tools and components of the checklist.
- Big Book of kNOw
- Velg Training [added 22 February 2024]
- Regulation resources for purchase
- Continuous improvement register template
- Internal audit self-assessment report template
- Issuing certification checklist template
- Marketing checklist and register templates
- QLD schools internal review template
- Risk register tool template
- School RTO annual checklist
- Self-assessment report - student centred approach template
- Social media marketing register template
- Training product review template
- Transition plan template
- VET student handbook template
- Website audit template
- Regulation webinars for purchase
- Administration: Enrolment: entry requirements and students support needs
- Administration: Recordkeeping: what to keep and why it's so important!
- Beyond excellence
- Changes in the VET sector and what they mean to me as a manager
- Credit transfer: getting it right!
- Essentials for re-registration: plan, prepare and perform (webinar series)
- Let's talk about effective industry engagement
- Marketing compliance: reviewing and monitoring material
- Self-assuring in practice: easy peasey!
- The impact of non-compliant practice
- What auditors are looking for in completed student files
- Regulation resources for purchase
- vetr
- Full vetr Resources Pack
The Full vetr Resource Pack provides all of vetr's currently published resources, templates and documents for VET Providers in a single package. - Internal Review Support Pack
The Internal Review Support Pack provides all of vetr's popular VET Provider internal review resources and templates in a single package. - Management Registers Support Pack
The Management Registers Support Pack has been designed to assist VET Providers in effectively tracking and managing key operational areas for regulatory compliance requirements. - Marketing Support Pack
The Marketing Support Pack has been designed to assist VET Providers in identifying all contractual requirements and implement robust arrangements in marketing operations. - Policy Positions Support Pack
The Policy Positions Support Pack provides an extensive VET Provider policy framework in a single manual format.
- Full vetr Resources Pack