Registered training organisation

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In Australia, in vocational education, a registered training organisation (RTO) is an organisation that provides students with training that results in qualifications and statements of attainment that are recognised and accepted by industry and other educational institutions throughout Australia.

Registered training organisations can be State and Territory government owned training organisations or privately owned training organisations. All registered training organisations in Australia and the qualifications they are registered to deliver are listed on the National Training Information Service (NTIS).

To become a registered training organisation, a training organisation must apply to the State and Territory Registering/Course Accrediting Body (R/CAB) in which their home office is located or the State or Territory in which most of the organisaton's training is delivered.

To become registered to deliver vocational education and training in Australia and deliver Australian qualifications overseas, the training organisation must:

(1) have legal access to, or own, an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification or nationally recognised short course, and

(2) meet the training delivery requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

The AQTF has set twelve standards. These form the 'ground rules' and details of the quality systems that must be established before any organisation may operate as a registered training organisation. These standards were approved by federal, state and territory ministers on 8 June 2001 and nationally reviewed in 2004 and 2005.

To be approved for registration, and to maintain national registration, organisations need documentary evidence of how their training organisation is meeting the AQTF standards and how they are continually improving their training delivery systems.

Audits form an important part of improving the quality and integrity of vocational education and training. They are carried out by auditors contracted by, or employees of, the relevant State and Territory Registering/Course Accrediting Body. During the course of registration, organisations are monitored to ensure that they are continuously meeting the Australian Quality Training Framework standards.