Transitioning to the Registration Standards for RTOs 2025 workshop

This workshops forms part of the 2025 TAC Event.  Other workshops presented at this event include:

• Unpacking Governance: Leadership, Accountability, and Risk Management; and
• Designing and Delivering Quality Training: Insights from Outcome Standards 1.1 and 1.2

Transitioning to the Registration Standards for RTOs 2025

This comprehensive workshop provides RTOs with the critical information needed to navigate the transition, implementation, and compliance with the 2025 Standards.

The workshop provides a clear understanding of the 2025 Standards, including significant changes and their implications for RTOs. It covers the rationale behind the changes to the 2025 Standards, and detail the structure and organisation of the 2025 Standards. It explores the areas where the 2025 Standards have been updated or enhanced, and demonstrate how to effectively manage the transition process, and understand the transition arrangements for TAC-regulated RTOs. 

Presenter: Claire Werner (Delivered 14 May 2025)

Session length: 50 mins

Handouts:

• Comparative RTO Standards Analysis (PDF)
• Standards for Applications - Table (PDF)
• TAC Audit Report as at 14 May 2025 (PDF)
• Fact Sheet: Continuous Improvement
• Copy of Presentation: Transitioning to the Registration Standards for RTOs 2025

Questions from the workshop

A number of questions were raised during the workshop that we didn’t have time to address on the day. We've compiled the following answers:

Is it possible once we feel our RTO is ready with all the new policies and procedures under the new standards to ask for a trial audit?

No, TAC does not offer a ‘formal trial audit’ for the 2025 Standards due to limited audit resources. However, RTOs are strongly encouraged to undertake internal audits as part of their self-assurance and continuous improvement processes. More information is available in the Fact Sheets: Internal Audit and Continuous Improvement.

When we get the new regulations sent to us to review can we have them side by side with the national ones so we can see only the regulations that have been edited in any way?

TAC will provide:

• A clean version of the Standards based on the WA Regulations; and
• A version of the Standards that indicates where the changes have been applied in the context of the WA Regulations.
• The Council will make available the WA Regulations and the WA policy version of the 2025 Standards on the Online Guidance Hub.
• The Online Guidance Hub will also include copies of relevant national legislation, frameworks and policies relevant to the Standards

When we are referring to SRTOs 2025 in policies, what is the correct way of referencing them?

Registration Standards 2025 or 2025 Standards

Outcomes Standards may necessarily need greater subjectivity/flexibility in regulatory decisions through audit. Is there a greater role to play for RTOs to be part of ongoing moderation discussions?

This is a great suggestion—and one that TAC already incorporates into its regulatory practices. While it may not always be visible, TAC auditors engage in moderation activities which may involve reviewing real audit examples and analysing audit reports to ensure consistency in how the Standards are interpreted and applied. This is especially important under the 2025 Standards to ensure consistency in interpretation and assessment of compliance.

A key mechanism for RTOs to assist in moderation is by providing feedback on the audit process through the post-audit feedback survey. These responses are reviewed and form an important part of TAC’s continuous improvement efforts, helping to refine regulatory practices and ensure they remain fair, transparent, and support quality outcomes.

RTOs have also contributed to the moderation of the 2025 Standards through their involvement in the TAC pilots, attendance at the TAC education program, and by submitting questions about the implementation of the 2025 Standards.

In terms of measuring outcomes, I note there are survey templates in the pack.  Will TAC allow RTOs to adopt their own evidence-based outcomes measurement framework/s?

An annual summary of the Quality Indicator data must be made to TAC annually under the Data Provision Requirements 2020 (DPR).

To ensure consistency, RTOs are currently required to use the template Learner and Employer Satisfaction Surveys as prescribed. While TAC supports innovation and continuous improvement, any alternative or evidence-based outcomes measurement frameworks would need to be used in addition to, not in place of, the mandated tools.

The requirements will remain under the 2025 Standards.