Maintaining Your Registration as an RTO
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Fact Sheet 1 Maintaining Your Registration as an RTO
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) you are required to meet a number of obligations to maintain your registration status. This includes:
The following questions and answers have been developed to assist your RTO in meeting these obligations.
How do I ensure my RTO complies with the AQTF Standards or Guidelines for RTOs?
It is expected that once registered your RTO will regularly review its policies, procedures and processes to ensure they continue to comply with the AQTF Standards and all relevant legislation. Compliance with these will assist your organisation to achieve the aim of providing quality training and meeting your client needs. You will be audited by the Department of Further Education Employment Science and Technology (the Department) to determine your ongoing compliance with the AQTF Standards and the Guidelines for RTOs.
What if my RTO is found to be non-compliant with the AQTF Standards or Guidelines for RTOs?
If your RTO is found to be non-compliant through an assessment process, you will receive a written report identifying the non-compliance and advising how long you have to correct the non-compliance.
If you apply to extend your scope of registration and your organisation is in 'severe' or 'critical' non-compliance, the Delegate Training and Skills Commission (the Delegate) may immediately refuse your application. For more information, see the Policies approved by the Training and Skills Commission in determining whether to register, renew or vary the registration of a training provider in the vocational education and training sector.
If your RTO does not address all identified non-compliances in the audit report, the Delegate may impose a sanction to restrict your RTO’s operations. This may involve placing a condition that restricts your RTO from enrolling new students in some or all of your qualifications on your scope of registration. Refer Fact Sheet 21 - Managing Non-Compliance.
Where can I access information on legislation and occupational licensing?
As an RTO registered in South Australia you are required to comply with the Training and Skills Development Act, 2008. You are also required to comply with all other legislative and occupational licensing requirements in the State/Territory in which you are delivering training. The Australasian Legal Information Institute (http://www.austlii.edu.au/) website provides free online access to Australian Government, and State and Territory legislation. Refer Fact Sheet 11 - Licensing.
What are my reporting obligations to the Department?
in addition to the requirements specified in the AQTF, your RTO must adhere to the reporting requirements set out in the Guidelines for RTOs, Section 1: Reporting to the Registering Body and Section 2: Records Management.
Further details on records management can be found in Fact Sheet 5 Quality Indicators and Fact Sheet 19 Issuing and Reporting Qualifications.
How often will I be audited?
Audits may be scheduled on application to vary scope of registration, as part of a strategic industry audit, to investigate a complaint and as part of an ongoing program of monitoring audits conducted by the Department.
How do I amend my scope of registration?
You may apply to amend your scope of registration by adding or removing qualifications, units of competency or accredited courses from your scope of registration. Refer Fact Sheet 16 - Amending your Scope of Registration.
When should I apply for re-registration?
You can submit your application for renewal of registration anytime within the last 12 months of your registration period. It is recommended that you submit your application at least three (3) months prior to your registration expiry date to ensure your registration as an RTO does not lapse. Refer Fact Sheet 15 - Renewal of Registration.
What fees will I be charged throughout my registration period?
Fees are charged in accordance with the schedule of fees approved by the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education under the Training and Skills Development Act, 2008. The most common fees that will apply to your organisation is an assessment and annual fees. These fees are based upon the number of sites and industry areas your organisation delivers in. Refer Schedule of Fees for further information.
Am I authorised to deliver training in another country?
RTOs registered under the Training and Skills Development Act 2008 are not authorised to deliver training offshore without approval from the Training and Skills Commission. If you plan to deliver training offshore, you must apply using form RTO2 - Application to amend scope of registration, available on our website.
Am I required to notify the Department if my RTO commences training interstate or overseas?
Yes. If your organiation commences delivery interstate or offshore in another country you must notify the Department within 14 days. Refer Fact Sheet - 13 Interstate/Offshore Delivery.
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Further Information
The Department produces an informative newsletter called Qualit-e-news that you can subscribe to to keep up to date with the latest issues relating to VET in South Australia. To subscribe send an email to dfeestquality@sa.gov.au
Contact our Client and Information Services team within the Quality and Tertiary Education Policy Directorate of the Department on 08 8226 3065 or email dfeestquality@sa.gov.au if you require any further information on maintaining your registration.