Any organisation wishing to become a registered training organisation (RTO) needs to demonstrate compliance with:

• Australian Quality Training Framework Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial Registration
• state and territory legislation pertaining to training.

AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Registration

The AQTF is a set of nationally agreed standards to ensure the quality of vocational education and training services throughout Australia. The AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards require an RTO to:

• Provide quality training and assessment across all of its operations
• Adhere to principles of access and equity and maximises outcomes for its clients
• Maintain management systems that are responsive to needs of clients, staff and stakeholders, and the environment in which they operate.

The AQTF also requires an RTO to ensure it has all the insurance cover necessary to protect its clients, its business and the public.

Maintaining Compliance with the AQTF

Once registered, an RTO must also:

• meet ongoing compliance requirements
• provide regular reports to its registration authority
• undergo AQTF compliancy audits as required.

Audits are outcomes-based. This means the auditor will ask to see evidence demonstrating the RTO’s processes to meet the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration.

More information is available in auditing and compliance.

Legislation

An RTO must observe Australian, state and territory laws governing: 

• occupational health and safety
• workplace harassment, victimisation and bullying
• anti-discrimination, including equal opportunity and racial vilification
• disability discrimination
• vocational education and training
• apprenticeships and traineeships.

You may view and download these Acts at the Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII) website which provides free online access to Australian Government, state and territory case law and legislation.