Complete Guide to Compliance
The most important regulatory update since 2015.
Outcomes. Leadership. Compliance culture.
Here’s what every RTO needs to know.
Where the 2015 Standards focused heavily on ticking boxes and administrative compliance, the new
Standards are designed to:
Outcomes-Driven
The 2025 Standards move RTOs away from tick-box compliance and towards a culture of outcomes and accountability. Records are stricter (2 years for assessments, 30 years for certification), leaders are directly responsible for compliance, industry engagement must be ongoing, and material changes must be reported within 10 days.
Prescriptive TAS formats; focus on “amount of training”.
Greater flexibility – no official TAS template required. Training must be engaging, well-structured, and paced to support student progress.
Retention requirements varied.
Must retain assessment records for 2 years; AQF certification documentation must be retained for 30 years.
Every 5 years (set cycle).
Pre-validation required before delivery. Frequency now risk-based (more often if high risk, feedback, or changes occur).
One-off or token engagement accepted.
Must be ongoing and genuine, involving employers, industry, and community reps.
Focus on finances and admin.
Leaders must demonstrate suitability, diligence, and integrity. Leadership expected to drive compliance culture.
Often reactive (responding to audits).
Must be systematic & proactive: risk registers, financial monitoring, COI management, child safety where relevant.
Notify ASQA within 90 days.
Notify ASQA within 10 business days for key changes (ownership, key personnel, third-party arrangements).
Less explicit.
Stricter rules: no misleading claims; all course info must include codes, status, delivery details.
Training & Assessment
Training must be engaging, well-structured, paced, with practice & feedback.
Industry engagement must be ongoing, not token. Evidence required (minutes, forms, letters).
Validation now risk-based; independent validators required for TAE.
Student Support
Trainers/assessors must hold or work towards updated TAE or equivalent.
Student Support
All marketing and enrolment info must be current.
Leadership & Governance
Risk management must be systematic, with registers, financial oversight, and COI management.
Continuous improvement embedded; must document actions and outcomes.
Complete Quality Framework
Continuous
Key areas ASQA will scrutinise
No misleading claims.
Clear codes & status.
Third-party marketing under control.
Must notify ASQA within 10 business days.
2 years for assessment evidence; 30 years for certification docs.
Expect ASQA to check governance, Credential Policy compliance, TAS evidence, and risk frameworks first.
(Effective 1 July 2025)
Yes, EMI payment plans are available. Please get in touch with us for the details.
Yes, EMI payment plans are available. Please get in touch with us for the details.
The 2025 Standards have fundamentally transformed how RTOs approach student diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. Standards 2.5 and 2.6 represent
Under the Standards for RTOs 2025, Standard 2.2 – Suitability Advice is one of the most important changes
Under the Standards for RTOs 2025, Standard 2.1 sets a clear expectation: Every piece of marketing, enrolment, and student-facing information must be clear
As an expert consultant with over 15 years’ experience working with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) across Australia, I have seen firsthand the challenges many providers
Don’t wait until July 1st. Start preparing now with our comprehensive resources and
expert guidance.
Questions? Contact us at info@vetresources.com.au
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