How to become an RTO in Australia
Becoming a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) means passing an application-and-assessment process conducted by the regulator. The application must satisfy the regulator (national regulator ASQA, WA regulator TAC and Victorian regulator VRQA). This article walks through the path from deciding where to register to receiving a decision.
1Work out which regulator you apply to
Most new providers apply to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ASQA registers organisations that will deliver VET courses to domestic students, online and overseas students in the ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA or TAS. Applicants based in Victoria or Western Australia can apply to ASQA only if they will also deliver in another state or territory (online delivery counts) or to overseas students. Providers delivering only in Victoria apply to the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), and those delivering only in Western Australia apply to the Training Accreditation Council (TAC).
(ASQA: About registration)
This article focuses on the process to be followed when submitting an initial RTO application with ASQA.
2Understand the obligations before you apply
ASQA's Guide to initial RTO registration (version 1.6, December 2025) provides applicants with details of the RTO's responsibilities and the Compliance Requirements, that they are expected to demonstrate compliance with during the initial application.
It is a requirement that applicants demonstrate that they have access to the resources needed to deliver from day one. Applicants are also required to demonstrate business planning and financial viability.
3Assemble the application
Applications for RTOs registering with ASQA, are lodged through the asqanet portal. ASQA's application page lists what is required for the ASQAnet application:
- Legal entity details (ABN or ACN) and evidence of the entity, plus ownership details and details of people associated with the organisation
- The CEO's details and a CEO statutory declaration
- Head office or principal place of business, and delivery sites
- The training products you propose to deliver (your scope), with any scope-specific evidence
- Fit and proper person declaration forms
- The financial viability risk assessment tool with supporting documents
- The completed initial RTO registration application form (approximately 50 pages)
Some qualifications carry industry or licensing restrictions, so you may need pre-approval from the relevant authority attached to the application.
(ASQA: licensing and registration requirements)
This is just the beginning. Don't be fooled into thinking this is all that is required.
4Lodge, pay and pass the completeness check
After you submit, ASQA issues a lodgment fee invoice, and the application is not processed until it is paid. ASQA then checks that the application is complete.
The majority of applications are not complete on the first attempt and this is often due to applicants not understanding what and how to submit at this stage.
5Request for additional information
Once the initial application, submitted via ASQAnet is deemed complete you will receive your second invoice. After this is paid ASQA will allocate an auditor to assess your application.
You will receive an email with a link and the instruction to upload the information that supports your application. There are no instructions as to what to provide. When completing the application form you are required to identify the documents that demonstrate your readiness to operate as an RTO. It is these documents that you are required to submit.
You will be given 5 days in which to submit these. It is recommended that all documents are ready before you submit your initial application via ASQAnet.
6Assessment and decision
Your auditor will review the documents submitted and then organise an online meeting (on site audits are very rare since COVID).
During the initial online meeting they will outline the assessment process, encourage you to discuss your plans for the RTO and ask questions regarding the RTO's intended operations, resources and ability to comply with the Standards for RTOs 2025. They may ask questions about specific documents presented and seek further information.
The auditor will usually schedule a closing meeting at which point they may request further information or advise of the steps moving forward. The auditor is not in a position to advise if the application is successful as their recommendations and findings are then forwarded to others in the organisation to review and make the decision.
How long does it take?
From initial submission to granting of RTO status will usually take 6 months.
What happens if the application is deemed non-compliant?
In the event the application is deemed non-compliant, ASQA will send notification of their decision and what action the applicant can take. Actions can include submission of further information, rectification of information supplied or in some cases, submission of a new application.
A word of warning, most applicants who are required to provide rectifications are given 20 days in which to do so. To avoid the stress and pressure, make sure the application is of the highest quality before submission.
Practical advice
- Choose your initial scope carefully. Newly registered RTOs generally cannot add training products for their first 24 months.
- Expect another audit before the end of the initial registration period, where you demonstrate that you complied with the Standards for RTOs 2025.
- After the first 2 years of operation, renewal applicants are usually given 5 or 7 years registration.
- Build the training and assessment systems before lodging, not after. You must demonstrate that you are ready to take enrolments as soon as the RTO is reregistered.
- The CEO must understand their obligations and the legal ramifications of operating an RTO and they will be the ones in the Hot Seat and expected to answer questions of the auditor.
Planning to apply for RTO registration? RTO Consulting can help you prepare an application that is complete and compliant the first time.
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