Support as we move to a new regulatory framework

Skills Education is offering Education Matters members a suite of information that will target operational considerations as key components of an outcomes-focused model - which is what the revised Standards for RTOs are

We understand the transition period will bring challenges and we are developing our support suite to help bring clarity to requirements

Join Education Matters today for sensible, relevant, actionable insights, resources and support - designed to get you and your team ready for implementation of the revised Standards for RTOs

5.2.25 - ASQA Releases Next 4 Practice Guides

In draft ASQA have released the next round of Practice Guides meant to provide examples of compliance considerations and known risks for the specific areas

See the next four Guides covering:

Facilities, resources, and equipment

Feedback, complaints and appeals

Information

Training Support

24.1.25 - DEWR Update

In brief:

  • References to the Standards being enacted and available January 2025 have been removed and replaced with "early 2025"
  • Confirmed changes - Credential Policy has had feedback applied
  • Confirmed change - Compliance Requirements has had feedback applied and period of retention for AQF Certification Documentation reverted from proposed 7yrs to 30yrs
  • ASQA-regulated RTOs expect full regulatory effect "1 July 2025"
  • TAC-regulated RTOs expect full regulatory effect "July 2025"
  • TAE40110 confirmed as a credential to deliver and assess VET (no extra units required)


NOTE: The revised Standards are still draft. Nothing is final until they are enacted into legislation. See this post which references information from the Australian Government to explain legislative instruments

December 17.12.24 - ASQA releases the first of its Practice Guides

In draft, the Practice Guides are meant to:

  • “...provide examples of actions providers might wish to consider and other relevant factors for demonstrating compliance with each Standard
  • provide examples of known risks to quality outcomes
  • include self-assurance questions for RTOs to consider when measuring their performance against the Standards...."


See the first four Guides that have been released on:



October 29.10.24 - Outcomes of the revised SRTOs pilot released

DEWR have released the report: Summary of Outcomes – Piloting of Draft Revised Standards for RTOs: Outcome Standards 

The pilot was undertaken in Oct - Dec 2023 and outcomes were expected to be published late 2023


October 1.10.24 - Revised SRTOs released - But still not complete

On 1 October 2024 the policy versions of the revised draft Standards were released. The expectation was that these would be the last version before 'go live' on 1.1.25 (full regulatory effect 1.7.25). However, that is not the case.

The three (3) documents to comprise the Standards were released by DEWR on 1.10.24:

  1. Outcome Standards
    Policy draft - Outcome Standards (AccessVers).docx
  2. Compliance Requirements (including the Fit and Proper Person Requirements and NRT Logo Conditions of Use Policy), 
    Policy draft - Compliance Requirements (AccessVers).docx
    and
  3. Credential Policy
    Policy draft - Credential Policy (AccessVers).docx


Feedback is still being sought on the Credential Policy and the Compliance Requirements. Feedback closes midnight 20.10.24.

Supply it to DEWR here.

People can also submit questions to DEWR via their 'online questions form'.


In addition to the actual policy documents, DEWR have released a preamble on their website with further supplementary information supplied:


In our opinion, the Outcome Standards Policy Guidance is a critical document to read in conjunction with the Outcome Standards, Compliance Requirements and Credential Policy which will all become under the NVR Act 2011.


DEWR have also advised:

  • What we have access now is subject to change 
    - "Please note the exact wording of the revised Standards, the Compliance Requirements, and the Credential Policy may be subject to change in order to meet formal legislative drafting requirements."
    - The Credential Policy and Compliance Requirements are still under consultation
    - "...the policy guidance is presented as a draft and will be updated incrementally over the coming months"


ASQA have also released draft guidance materials: 


The Guide from ASQA notes a series of reflective questions for RTOs to consider about each Quality Area. The aim to help providers focus on the necessary elements to ensure effective self-assurance. (We are pleased to note the reflective questions mirror the same philosophy shared and discussed with our Education Matters members during our Natters on Education Matters sessions this year).

Note too that advice from ASQA is not final, nor complete at this stage:

  • "ASQA will be progressively releasing draft Regulatory Guidelines to support providers to transition to the revised Standards."


We have completed a comparison document between the draft revised Standards and the Policy version. So far, major changes include:

  • Switch in terminology - from "learner" to "VET student"
  • The removal of the explicit mention of national disability law
  • Changes to the Training Support standards including those linked to wellbeing needs and services
  • Changes to the leadership and accountability indicators, with deletion of existing and addition of new ones
  • Other additions and deletions 


See the comparison document compiled by Skills Education: 


2.10.24 - We have created a Ready Reckoner that compiles the DEWR and ASQA information into one handy document - You can print the ten (10) tab spreadsheet if required.

See the Ready Reckoner for the Revised Standards for RTOs below 👇👇

Other, related information

3.10.24 - VET Workforce Blueprint released

"The key goals of the Blueprint are to:

  • Grow the workforce: Increasing the number of people entering the VET workforce to ensure long-term supply of staff to support quality training.
  • Retain and develop the workforce: Improving retention and supporting workforce capability to ensure a sustainable, highly skilled and quality VET workforce.
  • Understand the workforce: Developing data collection systems for the VET workforce and undertaking foundational work and research to better understand the various roles and pathways across all VET contexts.


The Blueprint identifies 8 opportunities and 14 actions to address challenges and barriers to the attraction, retention and development of the VET workforce. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains responsive to changes within the VET sector and the economy."

© Commonwealth of Australia 2024 


To read more about the VET Workforce Blueprint:

September 20.9.24 - Announcement Revised SRTOs to be released

The Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council Communique from 20 September 2024 advised that " ...the revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), will be publicly released in the week of 23 September 2024."

The revised Standards are expected to be enacted 1 January 2025, and come into full regulatory effect 1 July 2025. (EDIT 24.1.25 - note the announcement from DEWR that changed the wording of when we can expect enactment; now "early 2025")

Further, the release of the revised Standards come amidst the release of another body of work - The National Skills Plan.

The National Skills Plan was developed under the 5-year National Skills Agreement and sets out the Australian and state and territory governments’ national approach to delivering Australia’s skills needs for individuals, industry and community.

There are eight (8) agreed National Priorities that sit within the NSP. They are:

1. Gender Equality 

2. Closing the Gap 

3. Supporting the net zero transformation 

4. Sustaining essential care services 

5. Developing Australia’s sovereign capability and food security 

6. Ensuring Australia’s digital and technological capability 

7. Delivering housing supply 

8. Delivering reforms to improve the regulation of VET qualifications and quality


Release of the revised Standards falls under National Priority #8

(c) Commonwealth of Australia 2024


To see more detail in the documentation released 20.9.24, here are the links:

May 24.5.24 - Revised Standards for RTOs DELAYED

"Skills Ministers agreed to progress the Standards for public release in August and to come into full regulatory effect from 1 July 2025."

Information from the May 2024 Communique of Skills Ministers Meeting

Communique 24 May 2024 - FINAL.pdf

February 16.2.24 - Update from Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

On 15.2.24 an announcement was released about early changes to the current Standards for RTOs with some key changes to take effect starting March 2024.

This information session by the DEWR team gave an update on the early changes to the current Standards. 

Date and Time

  • Recorded Wednesday 21.2.24
  • 12pm AEST (Qld time)


Recording 

  • Loaded below


Read about the early changes on the DEWR website


Speakers

From Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Katerina Lawler

  • Assistant Secretary
  • VET Quality and Regulation | Industry Engagement and Quality Division


Elle Caspersonn


Hosted by Michelle Charlton



Other information FYI

  1. Registration is complimentary; all costs subsidised by Skills Education
  2. This session will be hosted in the Zoom webinar platform
  3. Spaces are limited, please only register for the live event if you can attend - the recording will be available to view afterwards
  4. When you register, you will receive system-generated emails from our Zoom account as reminders - you agree to receive these communications from us
  5. For this special event, you will not require a Skills Education profile or login. Your details are only collected and used for the purpose of this event; event reminder and follow up emails
  6. This is a special event and unlike other sessions is not eligible for a Record of Participation
  7. Please come with your questions for a respectful information session and discussion. Questions relevant to the session topic can be addressed

Copy of the recording


See the slides from the session:


1.3.24 - Early Changes to the Standards for RTOs 2015

Download the comparison document compiled by Skills Education to see the amendments side-by-side


Download the comparison document compiled by Skills Education to see the changes to Chapters 4 & 6 of ASQA's Users' Guide (Feb 24 - March 24) triggered by the early changes 


Related support tool:


Related support PD:

Update from Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)


Date and Time

  • Recorded Friday 27 October 2023
  • 1pm AEST (Qld)


Recording


Background

In October 2022, the proposed changes to the Standards for RTOs were released for public consultation with about 900 people participating in online and face-to-face forums, and over 250 online submissions received by DEWR.  Public consultation on the draft documents concluded on 31 January 2023.

Following feedback, the documents were submitted for further drafting.

Here is the proposed timeline moving forward from October 2023


DEWR is motivated to receive further constructive feedback as we head into the Pilot phase of the project.

Input is sought on how RTOs would demonstrate compliance with the draft revised Standards relevant to their operational context.  Feedback can be provided via this link

This session

Skills Education hosted a DEWR update to the VET sector on progress to the draft revised Standards for RTOs.

Hear from the DEWR project team on the proposed updates to the legislative instrument.

See the revised paper: Development of the Draft Revised Standards for RTOs Paper.pdf



Speakers

From Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Katerina Lawler

  • Assistant Secretary
  • VET Quality and Regulation | Industry Engagement and Quality Division


Hosted by Michelle Charlton


Who should attend

  • Anyone interested in VET sector and Skills Reform initiatives - applicable to personnel from RTOs, ERTOs, and GTOs, and independent contractors and consultants




Other information FYI

  1. Registration is complimentary; costs subsidised by Skills Education
  2. This session will be hosted in the Zoom webinar platform
  3. Spaces are limited, please only register for the live event if you can attend - the recording will be available to view afterwards
  4. When you register, you will receive system-generated emails from our Zoom account as reminders - you agree to receive these communications from us
  5. For this special event, you will not require a Skills Education profile or login. Any information in the Zoom emails referring to your Skills Education dashboard does not apply for this session
  6. This is a special event and unlike other sessions is not eligible for a Record of Participation
  7. Please come with your questions for a respectful information session and discussion


See also, the:


Copy of the recording


See the slides from the session:


Chat transcript from the session:


Q&A transcript from the session: