A scope of registration defines the particular training products and services a registered training organisation (RTO) is registered to deliver. Initial registration requires scope to be specified and defined to include:

• which Training Package qualifications it wishes to deliver
• which accredited courses it wishes to deliver (where there are no relevant Training Packages)
• whether it wishes to provide both training delivery and assessment services and products or only assessment services and products
• whether it wishes to deliver training in other states or territories under. 

Training Package qualifications

The training delivered by RTOs must achieve the set of national competency standards and qualifications set out in Training Packages.

A Training Package qualification is a nationally recognised qualification and is listed on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Competencies and qualifications

Training Packages are developed by individual industries. They identify:

• the skills and knowledge used in a particular industry
• how the skills and knowledge will be assessed.

The identified skills and knowledge are known as units of competency.  Units of competency are grouped into various qualifications, as defined by the Training Package. For example, the number and combination of units of competency required for a Certificate II qualification will be different to those required for a Certificate I qualification.

The AQF qualification (such as Certificate I, II, III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma) together with the units of competency required for that qualification, need to be documented within the scope of registration.

Accredited courses and qualifications

Where no Training Package exists, an RTO or interested organisation can develop a course and apply for accreditation in order to meet an identified training need.

Accreditation is the process used to formally recognise a qualification not covered by a nationally recognised Training Package.

Any accredited course an RTO intends to deliver must be included in its scope of registration.

Assessment services

The focus of assessment is on collecting, analysing, and reporting information about what the person in training can do and is capable of doing. Assessments include both on- and off-the-job training, recognition of prior learning (RPL), skills recognition and self-assessment.

National Effect

Once registered, an RTO can provide the services as defined in its scope of registration in any state or territory without additional registration.  However, the RTO must notify its registering body within 21 days of starting interstate operations.

When providing training in more than one state or territory, an RTO must be aware that each:

• has its own legislative and licensing requirements with which it must comply
• may require additional reporting.

Extending the scope

Once registered, an RTO can apply to change its scope at any time in order to: 

• add Training Package qualifications and/or nationally accredited courses to its scope of registration
• replace an accredited course with a Training Package qualification
• change from assessment-only services to training and assessment services.

Decrease in scope

Before seeking a decrease in scope, RTOs need to ensure all appropriate qualifications have been issued to students and any outstanding student records have been transferred to the new training provider.

Records of student results in relation to the qualification being removed from scope should be securely stored.

Applying for a variation to scope

Once the RTO has assembled all of the documents required, applications for variations of scope need to be lodged with the relevant registering authority either by mail, or in some jurisdictions, online. 

The process and fees vary according to the relevant state or territory authority.