Any organisation wishing to become a registered training organisation (RTO) must fulfil specific obligations to register and remain registered to deliver nationally accredited training.

As part of the initial registration process, training organisations must conduct a self-assessment report, recording their compliance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial Registration, which needs to be submitted with the RTO application.

• complies with the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial Registration
• operates within and adheres to Australian, state and territory legislation pertaining to training and business practices
• has the resources required to deliver the qualifications and courses listed on the scope of registration
• understands and agrees to the process for registration, renewal of registration and variation to scope of registration

Once registered, an RTO is also obliged to:

• meet ongoing compliance requirements
• provide regular reports to its state or territory registration authority
• renew its registration within the agreed timeframe
• recognise the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and statements of attainment issued by any other RTO
• provide notification if it intends to vary the nature of its business.
• commit to continuous improvement practices

An RTO must also notify the state or territory registering authority if it intends to:

• change its scope of registration 
• deliver training in other states or territories 
• deliver training to overseas students.

Reporting

An RTO must report certain information to its state or territory training authority. The range of information required includes the courses and subjects in which students are enrolled, their age and gender and where training is occurring.

For more information see reporting in the auditing and compliance section of this site.