Becoming a Registered Training Organisation in SA  

Download  Fact Sheet 3 Becoming a Registered Training Organisation 

Purpose
This fact sheet is designed to help those organisations who wish to become a registered training organisation (RTO) and deliver nationally recognised training to domestic students. There are different requirements associated with delivering training to overseas students. Refer Fact Sheet 23 - Becoming a CRICOS provider for further information about preparing for delivery to overseas students. 
 
What is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)?
RTOs are providers of nationally recognised training and assessment services who have met national quality assurance standards.  Only RTOs:
- can deliver, assess and issue parchments for nationally recognised courses and qualifications
- are eligible to apply for State and Commonwealth Government funding for training
- can use the Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) logo on all qualifications and statements of attainment that they issue

What are the benefits to my organisation of becoming an RTO?
RTO status is a valuable marketing tool. This status is recognised by employers and other RTOs as it signifies that your training courses are nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The people you train will be confident that the skills they attain are of a high quality, are at the accepted industry standard and will be accepted and valued nationwide. 

Once registered, you will be able to market your organisation as a provider of nationally recognised training, and your potential clients can view the qualifications and courses you offer on the National Training Information Service (NTIS) http://www.ntis.gov.au/ 

How do I begin the process of becoming an RTO?
In South Australia, the registration process is managed by the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (The Department) on behalf of the Training and Skills Commission.

You will need to lodge an application with the Department. The application process requires you to demonstrate that you have considered your organisation’s objectives and that you will be asked to provide a business plan and financial projections to support this. You will also be asked to demonstrate the financial viability of your proposed operations. The Guide A (link below) provides more details.

You should also have read the following documents, the contents of which are fundamental to successful registration:  
- AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial Registration 
- AQTF Users' Guide to the Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial Registration 
- Guidelines for RTOs registered in South Australia under the Training and Skills  Development Act 2008
- Guide A for Initial Registration or Renewal of Registration
- Council approval for premises that will be used for educational purposes
- Insurance requirements for RTOs

Should you have any questions or require clarification at this point in the process, please contact the Department on 8226 3065 and ask to speak to a Client Relations Officer (CRO).  If required, the CRO will arrange a meeting with you to answer any outstanding questions which will assist you in completing the application process.

How do I apply for registration?
1.  Download and complete the application form  RTO1 - Application for Initial Registration
2.  Return the form to the Department, including the documentation listed in Section 8 and
     the application fee.  Refer to the Schedule of Fees
3.  Your application will then be recorded and acknowledged before being assigned to an auditor
      who may contact you to request further evidence or information.
4.   Following this preliminary assessment, a site audit at your proposed training facility will
      be arranged. 

How do I prepare for the initial audit and what will be involved?
This information can be found in Fact Sheet 2 - Preparing for an AQTF site audit and Fact Sheet 18 - The AQTF audit process.

How long does the process take?
An assessment of your application can take up to three months from receipt of the application to approval. This assessment timeframe will depend on several factors including the size and scope of the audit (which is determined by the extent of your proposed scope) and whether your organisation is able to demonstrate compliance with the Standards at the initial site audit.  You will not authorised to market your courses until approval of your registration has been granted, so allow for this in your planning. 

How long is the registration period?
The initial registration period will be dependent on your 'relevant prior history'. Generally speaking, it will be for a period of 12 months but this can be extended by a further four years if your organisation demonstrates compliance at the first monitoring audit.

See the Policies approved by the Training and Skills Commission (link above) for further details and an explanation of the phrase 'relevant prior history'. 

Are there any restrictions on organisations applying for initial registration? 
If your organisation is assessed as not having 'relevant prior history' in vocational education and training, your scope of registration will be restricted to no more than four qualifications across no more than two industry areas or training packages. This limit will apply until your organisation has demonstrated compliance at its first full monitoring audit.

Organisations that do not have 'relevant prior history' will not be authorised to deliver interstate, offshore or to overseas students in the first 12 months of registration.

Refer Fact Sheet 16 - Amending your scope of registration for more information and also to the Policies approved by the Training and Skills Commission for further information.

Further information   
Contact our Client and Information Services Unit in the Quality and Tertiary Education Policy (QTEP) Directorate of the Department on 8226 3065; email: dfeestquality@sa.gov.au.