Welcome to the October TAC Update
The Training Accreditation Council’s vision for a trusted and valued vocational education and training sector is supported by its client-focused Education Program, which promotes business improvement and regulatory compliance.
The TAC has released a new webinar to help RTOs master assessment planning and implementation, so they have greater understanding of the 2025 Standards and more confidence in assessing students’ competency.
Additional webinars, podcasts and guides are in production and will be released soon. Keep an eye on the TAC’s communication channels for updates as these resources are published.
RTOs are reminded to complete the Annual Declaration on Compliance before 2 November 2026.
And in national news, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has invited feedback on two important quality surveys and AQSA has released its guidance on using Artificial Intelligence in VET.
TAC Education Program
Assessment Masterclass Webinar Now Available
To help RTOs meet the requirements of Outcome Standard 1.3 and related requirements, the TAC has released its latest webinar on assessment processes and tools.
Presented by VET specialist and auditor Dr Russell Docking, the TAC Mastering Assessment Webinar guides participants in reviewing assessment plans and tools to ensure their RTO can meet the 2025 Standards and be confident to make safe judgements on student competence.
More resources are also available including the 30 top problems RTOs face in assessing and how to address them; and a handy guide to reviewing in-house and purchased assessment materials.
View the TAC Mastering Assessment Webinar and get started here.
New Webinars and Podcasts Coming Soon
Did you know the TAC has webinars, podcasts and resources to help RTOs with the 2025 Standards, regulation best practice and industry currency?
New webinars and resources are being produced and will be released soon, including Quality Training, Reasonable Adjustment and Diversity/Inclusion and Recognition of Prior Learning.
Visit the TAC Education Program and Registration Standards 2025 Hub for updates and resources.
Annual Declaration due 2 November 26
RTOs still have time to complete the 2025-2026 Annual Declaration on Compliance for 2025/2026.
The TAC has recently written to advise RTOs to complete the Declaration using the link provided. If your organisation has not yet responded, the deadline to submit the Declaration is close of business, Monday 2 November 2026.
This year’s Declaration has been significantly revised to reflect the requirements of the 2025 Standards. RTOs should allow approximately 30 minutes to complete the declaration and answer all questions in a single session.
Please note the Annual Declaration on Compliance is a mandatory reporting requirement for RTOs registered with the TAC.
It provides assurance that an RTO has reviewed its operations and is meeting the VET quality framework applicable under the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 and the Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009.
To commence the Annual Declaration on Compliance 2025/2026, please use this link: Annual Declaration 2025-2026.
More information is available on the TAC website - RTO Reporting Requirements.
ASQA Releases Artificial Intelligence Guidance
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has released new guidance to help RTOs use Artificial Intelligence safely, effectively and ethically in Vocational Education and Training.
ASQA’s Principles for the Responsible Use of AI in VET outline the risks and opportunities associated with AI use, while guiding RTOs in interpreting, implementing and overseeing AI.
To support providers, ASQA has developed five principles for the responsible use of AI in VET:
Importantly, ASQA’s AI principles do not create new regulatory requirements.
Instead, they are intended to help TAC-registered RTOs meet their existing obligations under the 2025 Standards while maintaining the quality and integrity of training and assessment.
Providers are encouraged to regularly review their governance, privacy, workforce capability and assessment practices as AI technologies continue to evolve.
More information on ASQA’s AI guidance is available on its website here.
Have Your Say - Updated QI Surveys
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is seeking feedback from RTOs and other stakeholders on draft updates to the Quality Indicator Student Survey and the Quality Indicator Employer Survey.
The Quality Indicator surveys play an important role in helping RTOs gather valuable feedback from students and employers to support continuous improvement and enhance training outcomes.
As part of national quality reporting requirements, RTOs are required to collect and report student and employer feedback each year.
DEWR is inviting the sector to help ensure the refreshed surveys continue to provide meaningful, actionable insights for providers, learners, employers and regulators.
Submissions are open until 11:59 pm AEDT 23 October 2026.
Focus on Quality Article
Visa Holders and Enrolment in TAC-registered Training
The TAC has recently received enquiries about whether learners who hold temporary visas, including dependants of Student Visa (subclass 500) holders, can enrol with TAC-registered RTOs.
A key distinction is that TAC-registered RTOs are not permitted to deliver training to Student Visa holders under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework. Providers wishing to enrol Student Visa holders must be registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority and approved to deliver CRICOS courses.
However, other visa holders may be able to enrol with a TAC-registered RTO, provided their visa conditions allow them to undertake study or training in Australia. It is the responsibility of the RTO to verify visa conditions and determine whether an enrolment is appropriate and meets all regulations.
Visa regulation and product exemption
The TAC does not regulate visa conditions. Where a prospective learner is not a Student Visa holder, RTOs should undertake their own due diligence, including checking visa entitlements through appropriate processes such as VEVO checks and maintaining evidence to demonstrate compliance with the Standards if required at audit.
RTOs should also be aware of the Education Services for Overseas Students (Exempt Courses) Instrument 2021, which lists some training products that are exempt from ESOS requirements because they address workforce skill shortages and priority industry needs.
The existence of the exemption list does not automatically mean that all short courses or qualifications are exempt. Each enrolment must be assessed against the learner’s visa conditions and the relevant regulatory requirements.
RTO compliance and obligations
Where a visa condition limits study duration, RTOs must ensure that their Training and Assessment Strategies demonstrate how training and assessment can be delivered in compliance with both the training package requirements and the learner’s visa conditions.
RTOs must also continue to meet all applicable requirements relating to learner suitability, language, literacy, numeracy and digital support, and training quality.
Importantly, the TAC does not require RTOs to seek approval or provide notification before enrolling eligible non-student visa holders.
Responsibility rests with the RTO to verify visa status, assess eligibility, document enrolment processes, and retain evidence demonstrating compliance with the 2025 Standards.
For further assistance, RTOs can use the Australian Government’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service to check a prospective learner’s current visa details and conditions.
Ensuring RTO Trainer Credentials
A quick check of trainer and assessor credentials can go a long way in helping RTOs stay compliant and maintain high-quality training outcomes.
If a trainer is still working towards their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (Cert IV TAE), it's important to ensure a current Trainer Supervision Agreement is in place.
These agreements help define how an experienced, fully qualified trainer will provide guidance, oversight and support while the individual develops the skills and knowledge needed to meet the qualification requirements.
Taking the time to regularly review qualification records and supervision arrangements can help avoid compliance issues during audit and provide confidence that learners are being supported by suitably qualified training staff.
New JSA and NCVER publications and policies
Jobs and Skills Australia
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the following reports:
- Nends in adult learning and outcomes - 6 Oct 2026
- International Labour Market Update August 2026 - 4 Sept 2026
Latest NCVER Reports
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has released the following new report:
VET qualification completion rates 2025 - 29 September 2026
