What is registration?

All training organisations (including TAFE institutes) that issue Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and statements of attainment must be registered by a State or Territory recognition authority. The Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) is the recognition authority for NSW, and it grants registration for up to five years.

An organisation that is not registered may offer training or assessment services, but cannot issue nationally recognised qualifications.

Scope of registration

Scope of registration refers to the products and services that a training organisation is registered to provide. RTOs provide:

  • training and assessment products and services (RTOs can also be registered to provide assessment products and services only)
  • products and services (up to a specified qualification level) that are based on Training Packages and/or accredited vocational education and training courses where there are no relevant Training Packages

An organisation's initial application for registration must specify its proposed scope of registration. Once registered, an RTO can apply to VETAB to amend their scope to offer additional qualifications.

RTOs must ensure that they meet the legislative and licensing requirements relevant to their scope of registration. Information about the relevant legislative and licensing requirements can be found in Training Packages or through the appropriate ITAB (Industry Training Advisory Body) or Industry Skills Council. More details about registration and licensing are available on VETAB's Licensing page.

RTO workshops

In conjunction with the Department of Education and Training, VETAB offers a comprehensive program of RTO workshops. The program includes workshops for organisations thinking of registering. Visit RTO workshops for more details.

VETAB strongly recommends that you attend the RTO Workshops prior to lodging your application for registration. The workshops provide important information about the AQTF and the application process which will help you correctly prepare your application and avoid delays.

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