2025 Standards for RTOs - Skills Education’s Standards Hub 2.1

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Quality Area 2 - VET student support

VET students are treated fairly and properly informed, supported and protected.

Division 1 - Information

Requirements

Standard 2.1

Outcome Standard

(1) VET students have access to clear and accurate information concerning the organisation, the relevant training product, and students are made aware of any changes that may affect them.

Performance Indicators

(2) An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

(a) all information provided to VET students by the organisation or any third parties is clear, accurate and current;

(b) how it identifies which information VET students require prior to their enrolment and how that information is communicated to VET students prior to their enrolment;

(c) the following information is easily accessible by VET students:

(i) the training product code and title, duration, modes of delivery, training delivery location, training commencement dates, scheduling, any requirements to commence or complete the training product including assessment requirements, whether any licencing or occupational licence requirements apply, and details of any third party arrangements that apply to the delivery of the training;

(ii) the training support services and wellbeing support services that are available to the VET student, and how the student can access those services;

(iii) all fees, costs and charges associated with the provision of the training product which VET students may incur, including payment terms and conditions, any applicable refund policies and the availability of any relevant government training entitlements and subsidies; and

(iv) any obligations or liabilities which may be imposed on VET students undertaking the training product, including any obligations requiring VET students to acquire any materials, equipment or IT, any costs and processes associated with withdrawing from training, any costs and processes associated with obtaining a Student Identifier, and any requirements for VET students to undertake work placements;

(d) the organisation provides all VET students with documentation prior to their enrolment or before any fees are required to be paid which sets out:

(i) the training which the organisation or third parties will provide the VET student;

(ii) all fees, costs and charges which the VET student will be required to pay; and

(iii) any obligations or liabilities which may be imposed by the organisation or third parties on the VET student; and

(e) that it informs VET students, as soon as practicable, of any changes to training products or the organisation’s operations that may affect VET students, including any changes relating to the transition of superseded, deleted, or expired training products.

Risks

False or misleading marketing of all or part of a VET course, VET qualification or training delivery and assessment, including recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Failing to have adequate oversight of, and formal arrangements with, third parties that market to, or recruit, students including where these arrangements are not made clear to current and prospective students.
Failing to inform students prior to enrolment that they will need to:
- secure their own work placement
- supply their own resources or equipment, or
- travel and/or pay for accommodation to attend their work placement.
Failing to provide a full and accurate schedule of fees, including any prepaid fees, to students prior to enrolment.
Marketing unrealistically short courses which compromise the integrity of the training product, or may result in extension costs for students who are unable to complete within advertised timeframes.
Marketing tactics that promote an easier path to qualifications and do not uphold the integrity of the training product - for example offering inappropriately short duration courses or inadequate or “easy” RPL.
Enrolling unaware students in superseded, deleted or expired training products when they will not have sufficient time to complete their training and assessment.
Failing to provide students with information on possible alternative training products where a training product has been deleted.
Not communicating promptly with affected cohorts when a product becomes superseded, deleted or expired, or failing to make clear the deadline for transition arrangements.