The national 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) came into effect on 1 July 2025. This guideline ensures that RTOs registered with the VRQA comply with these standards and the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.
Requirements
| RTOs must be able to demonstrate compliance with all 3 parts of the 2025 Standards for RTOs: | |
| a. | the Outcome Standards – 4 outcome-focused requirements with performance indicators for quality training and assessment, VET student support, VET workforce and governance |
| b. | the Compliance Standards – administrative requirements (including the Fit and Proper Person Requirements and NRT Logo Conditions of Use Policy) that support integrity in the sector |
| c. | the Credential Policy – an enforceable policy that outlines the credentials required for delivering training and assessment and undertaking validation of assessment. |
Regulatory context: National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025 and National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Compliance Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations and Fit and Proper Person Requirements) Instrument 2025.
Explanatory notes
About the 2025 Standards for RTOs
The 2025 Standards for RTOs provide a clear and direct link between the requirements RTOs are expected to meet and the outcomes they are expected to deliver. They reflect the diversity of the VET sector and ensure requirements are fit-for-purpose across different RTO settings.
The 2025 Standards for RTOs ensure a strong focus on learner outcomes. They include Outcome Standards for RTOs as well as Compliance Standards and the Credential Policy.
The 2025 Standards for RTOs are contained within the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025 (Cth) and the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Compliance Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations and Fit and Proper Person Requirements) Instrument 2025 (Cth).
The 2025 Standards for RTOs are available at: www.dewr.gov.au/standards-for-rtos
How to read the 2025 Standards for RTOs
For the context of VRQA’s RTO registration, regulation, and oversight functions, where the 2025 Standards for RTOs or related instruments and policy refer to:
- ‘National VET regulator’ – it means the VRQA
- ‘NVR registered training organisation’ – it means an RTO registered with the VRQA.
Overview of the 2025 Standards for RTOs
Outcome Standards
Training and assessment
This standard ensures RTOs demonstrate quality training and assessment that engage VET students and enable them to attain nationally recognised, industry-relevant competence.
VET student support
This standard ensures RTOs demonstrate that VET students are treated fairly and are properly informed, supported and protected.
VET workforce
This standard ensures RTOs demonstrate VET students are trained, assessed, and supported by people who are qualified, skilled, and committed to professional development.
Governance
This standard ensures RTOs demonstrate effective governance and a commitment to continuous improvement that supports the quality and integrity of VET delivery.
Compliance Standards
These standards ensure RTOs demonstrate the Standards for Information and Transparency, Integrity of NRT Products, Accountability, Fit and Proper Person Requirements and the NRT Logo Conditions of Use Policy.
It outlines how RTOs must obtain and maintain registration.
Credential Policy
This policy outlines relevant credentials for trainers and assessors undertaking particular training and assessment activities or roles. This policy forms part of the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations and must be read in conjunction with the Outcome and Compliance Standards.
All RTOs are required to comply with this policy, in addition to the Outcome and Compliance Standards.
Further support
The VRQA provides guidance to assist RTOs to comply with the 2025 Standards for RTOs.
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