Initial RTO registration assessment
The QCAA’s initial RTO registration assessment process aligns with the 2025 Standards for RTOs and ASQA’s revised regulatory approach.
The QCAA assess initial applications to determine:
- preparedness to be fully compliant with the VET Quality Framework from the date of registration, and
- commitment and capability to maintain compliance in a sustained way over time.
The QCAA has been given guidance from ASQA that their templates are to be incorporated into this regulatory assessment activity.
All correspondence between the school RTO and the QCAA for an initial RTO registration assessment is completed through emails, except for the initial application which is completed through the VET application on the QCAA Portal.
The assessment process
The assessment process is used to gather and assess application information and covers three key features:
- School submits application to become an RTO
- The QCAA assess submission
- School receives decision on registration
Pre-assessment checks
The school completes an initial RTO registration application in the VET application. Pre-assessment checks are completed by the Manager - QCE and QCIA Unit. If clarification is required, the school has five days to provide the information. If the clarification evidence is not provided the initial RTO registration application will be rejected.
Meet your assessors
The application will be assigned to an assessment team. The lead assessor will contact the school to introduce themselves and briefly explain the initial RTO registration assessment process.
Request for information and opening meeting
The lead assessor will then contact the school via email to request evidence and to detail key dates for the assessment. The opening meeting is then conducted with the assessor, CEO (principal) and proposed RTO manager, where the scope of the assessment and the process is explained in further detail.
Assessment interviews and online conference
Once requested evidence is received, the assessors will analyse the information and conduct an online conference to interview the CEO (principal), proposed RTO manager and proposed trainers and assessors.
During interviews, assessors will ask a range of questions to:
- deepen their understanding of how your school intends to operate as an RTO
- clarify provided information and evidence
- explore your organisation’s ability to be compliant with the relevant regulatory and legislative requirements.
Depending on the scope and circumstances of the application, the QCAA may undertake a site visit.
The online conference or site visit will conclude with a closing meeting. The closing meeting provides an opportunity for the assessors to discuss the progress of the assessment, and any identified issues. It also provides an opportunity for any questions.
Initial RTO registration assessment report
After the online conference or site visit, the assessment team will continue to analyse, and risk assess the evidence and may be in contact again to clarify any issues. An Initial RTO registration assessment report will be prepared, and the lead assessor will make recommendations to the Manager - QCE and QCIA Unit about whether the school’s application to become an RTO should be granted.
- Last updated:
- 5 September 2025
