September 23, 2025 • 21 mins
Navigating the re-registration process doesn't have to be stressful. This enlightening conversation between Angela Connell-Richards and compliance expert Maycheck reveals crucial strategies for approaching RTO re-registration with confidence under the 2025 Standards.
Did you know you can submit your re-registration application up to 12 months before your expiry date? This proactive approach not only demonstrates organisation to ASQA but gives you valuable time to address any compliance issues. While there's no guarantee whether your RTO will undergo an audit during re-registration, understanding ASQA's risk-based approach helps you prepare effectively regardless of the outcome.
The podcast dismantles the fear surrounding compliance audits, emphasizing that regulators aren't looking for perfect RTOs but rather those demonstrating an understanding of their obligations and a commitment to addressing identified issues. Maycheck and Angela stress the importance of honest self-assessment, recommending RTOs implement monthly compliance reviews rather than annual internal audits to create a genuine culture of compliance.
For those navigating the transition to the 2025 Standards, approximately 70-80% remains aligned with previous requirements in principle. Key areas requiring attention include student support mechanisms (Outcome Standard 2), workforce management, and risk management (Outcome Standard 4.2). The standards now place greater emphasis on successful completion as a measure of quality, encouraging RTOs to work backwards from this goal when designing processes.
Whether you're facing re-registration soon or preparing for the future, this episode provides invaluable insights to help your RTO approach compliance as an ongoing operational commitment rather than a dreaded hurdle. Subscribe to the RTO Superhero podcast for more expert guidance on thriving in the regulated VET sector.
Join host Angela Connell-Richards as she opens each episode with a burst of insight and inspiration. Discover why compliance is your launchpad to success, not a limitation.
Wrap up with gratitude and guidance. Subscribe, leave a review, and join our community as we continue supporting your compliance journey in vocational education.
Thank you for tuning in to the RTO Superhero Podcast!
We’re excited to have you join us as we focus on the Revised Standards for RTOs in 2025. Together, we’ll explore key changes, compliance strategies, and actionable insights to help your RTO thrive under the new standards.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the RTO Superhero with me Angela
Connell-Richards, and today I'mjoined with Maychek.
Hello, and we're still inDarwin.
How?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
beautiful, is it though?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Oh, it's been beautiful, so 32 degrees.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Yeah, beautiful weather.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
And it was 12 degrees back home, yep, okay, so today
we're going to be talking aboutre-registration and preparing
yourself for re-reg under thenew standards and what you need
to know.
Very interestingly, what we'rehearing is maybe you may not go
(00:35):
to an audit, but you may go toan audit, so let's see what
happens.
Okay, so let's start.
I've got a couple of clientswho are up for re-reg this year
and one had asked me thequestion when can I submit my
application for re-registration?
And you can submit up to 12months before, so you don't have
(00:57):
to wait for the three monthsbefore you can do the 12 months
before, 12 months before.
And then the next question Igot asked was well, will I go to
audit?
Then I said, well, possibly,but you don't know.
So they might actually see youbeing proactive with submitting
your application early and mightjust go.
Okay, we're busy right now,let's just push you through.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Correct and I think a lot of that is happening at the
moment is that they're pushingthe applications that are low
risk.
They're doing, obviously, theirrisk assessment based on scope,
complaints, et cetera, and, Iguess, picking the organisations
or the RTOs that are seen as ahigh risk to audit and the ones
(01:39):
that are, let's call it, flyingunder the radar, no issues, et
cetera.
Or what's the point of auditingthem if our resources are
stretched at the moment and weneed to look at other things?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Although it's really interesting, I will say.
One of my clients lost theirCRICOS registration because they
submitted for their CRICOSrenewal two days late and even
though they got told that's fine, put it through.
But because they had nostudents at the time and two
days late, they said, well,we're cancelling your
registration.
And the reason was because itwas lodged two days late and it
(02:12):
wouldn't be fair on existingCryocross providers, so that
didn't sit well with me.
The client wasn't too fussedbecause whatever, but it was
still a significant investmentbecause two days.
So the lesson there is do notleave your re-registration.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, I say that all the time, and if anybody comes
to us for re-registration, wewant at least six months 100%
before.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So you've got nine months before.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Yeah, to prepare them because they need to know.
They often come to us becausethey know they're non-compliant.
They just don't know hownon-compliant they are.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I mean the re-registration application
itself is about a 15-minute ASQAjob, right?
So the lodgement is.
There's no excuse not to lodge,even at 11.45 pm the day before
the cutoff.
Yeah, because you can lodge it,you can submit it and then at
least prepare for it.
But yeah, do not miss thedeadline.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Yeah, yeah, and I wouldn't wait until the three
months before you know, submitit before then.
The three months is a guidelineCorrect so that ASQA are
prepared.
So you need to understand whatis happening in your RTO and if
(03:28):
you think it's non-compliant, dosomething about it.
You know, and this is somethingthat I really identified in the
standards is being proactive.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
As opposed to reactive.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
As opposed to being reactive and really identifying
what are the risks that you havecurrently within your RTO.
So that's, under the governancerequirements, is making sure
you have a risk register, butit's making sure that you don't
just have the policies andprocedures, it's that you have
the understanding.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
The understanding and the demonstrated practices of
those things.
I think the critical thing toremember is, if you plead
ignorant, asca is going to comedown harder than being proactive
and demonstrate look, these arethe things that we've
identified, this is how we fixedit or how we are fixing it at
(04:16):
the moment, the moment you candemonstrate that you've got.
Yep, you've identified an issuewith an assessment tool or
whatever it was, but you'veactually put down a process to
fix it.
Asqa will look at that and gogood on you.
Well, done.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
No, rto is going to be 100% compliant.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Except ours.
All the ones that we work withyou know, you included, right.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yes, but ASQA aren't there to go.
We're looking fornon-compliances, we're looking
for evidence of compliance andif you are non-compliant, what
is your process for rectifyingthat?
And one thing I say be honestwith your annual declaration of
(04:59):
compliance, because if you do goto an audit following and ASQA
have said this they will belooking back at your annual
declaration and what yousubmitted.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah, it's one of those things that I always say
to anyone that asks me.
You know it's a balancing actbetween self-incrimination
versus declaration about thetruth, because at the end of the
day, you're signing a stat dec.
I think it's a stat dec, isn'tit?
Or just a declaration?
And yeah, you don't really wantto be turning around and saying
yeah, to the best of myknowledge, we're compliant.
(05:29):
Yet, knowingly, deep downinside you know that there's
flaws.
We all know that there's issues, identify them, put in a
redress process and then fix it.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, and I think your annual declaration of
compliance should be closelytied with your risk register,
identifying what those risks areand then action plan.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And, hopefully, your monthly ongoing compliance
practices that you'reimplementing to go okay, let's
not like this concept.
I know we've always spokenabout this annual internal audit
, etc.
No-transcript Right.
(06:31):
Constantly reviewing things,constantly seeking feedback,
constantly doing our continuousimprovement and actually
implementing what the concept ofthe standards is about, then
you're going to be far lessinclined to have issues at audit
.
Firstly, because you're goingto know the standards and the
auditors are going to or theperformances, are going to see
that you understand thestandards and you're going to
understand your practices a much, you know much deeper level and
ensure that you're complyingwith them.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Yeah, what we implement with our clients is we
have a poster with a continuousimprovement cycle and every
month we could look at a coupleof standards, so breaking it
down instead of having to do itall in one go.
So each month you're focusingon one area.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
We don't have a poster.
We've got a compliance schedulewhich goes over the 12 months,
picking out the various areas.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Yeah, yeah, and then we tie that with our vet PD, so
the vet PD will focus on that,and then the idea is for our
clients to then watch thatwebinar, then review what their
practices are and what they'redoing.
Yeah, yeah, what else would yourecommend for re-registration?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Again, similar to initial don't fear People that
fear audit don't understand theconcept of the environment that
we live in.
Audit is just part of what wedo.
It's part of your registration.
It is and it's running abusiness.
You can be audited by the ATO,you can be audited by ASQA.
So don't fear it.
(07:49):
Don't live in fear of an audit.
Focus on your practices.
Focus on that culture ofcompliance that we always talk
about.
Focus on that operationalrequirements across your whole
business, not just a complianceperson.
Across your whole of business,not just a compliance person.
Don't rely on a consultant tofix you six months before re-reg
(08:10):
.
We can perform miraclessometimes, but we can't make
stuff up.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
And we don't know who your auditor or assessor is
going to be.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
And so, yeah, just don't don't look at the
negatives.
Look at the positives and don'tbe scared to identify potential
issues that you can fix, butalso implement a process to
start fixing them, as opposed tooh well, let's just wait for
audit, because the auditor isgoing to identify them anyway.
That's not a good look.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
No, because once again, they're going to be
looking for evidence ofcompliance and that you are
implementing your policies andprocedures.
So part of that should be yourrisk management and your
continuous improvement.
So how are you implementingthat?
One of the things that I alsorecommend is you know, don't
leave it to the last minute.
(08:58):
Definitely don't do that.
We can not wave a magic wandand tell you that you're going
to have the best audit, becausewe don't know who's going to be
audited.
We also don't know whatskeletons are hiding in the
closet.
We need plenty of time, andthat's what we were talking
about earlier.
You need about nine months toprepare, or a year.
(09:22):
That's ideal.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
It depends on how bad your housekeeping is.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
But with the change of standards.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yeah, yeah, look for me the change of standards.
Yes, they are, I mean, thebiggest.
They've moved the date from theend of the standards for RTOs
to the beginning.
So, instead of being standardsfor RTOs 2015, it's now the 2025
standards for RTOs to thebeginning.
So, instead of being standardsfor RTOs 2015, it's now the 2025
standards for RTOs.
But, look, I would probably say70 to 80% is still somewhat
comparably aligned from the oldstandards to the new standards.
(09:54):
From an in-principleperspective, the wording has
changed a little bit, yes, but alot of the things, like I said,
your TASs are still your TASs.
There's tweaks that you need toput in there about student
support and so forth, butoverall, if your TAS was
compliant pre-July 1, there'snot really that much that you
(10:17):
need to do with it.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
As long as you're updating it.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
As long as you're updating it, correct.
But that's not a differencebetween the standards that
should be your operations as itis anyway, whether it's the old
standards or the new standards.
So from my perspective, it'sreally just.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Again, it goes back to that simple word what do you
think are the biggestdifferences that people will
need to be aware of and makesure that they have implemented
that?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
I think if we break down the outcome standards the
outcome standards, really, thatstudent support focus on.
Outcome standard two that'sprobably been the biggest area
that we need to focus on anddemonstrating how those support
mechanisms are in place withinyour organisation, suitable for
(11:13):
the client and demographic andcourse type that you've got.
The whole of workforcemanagement is probably a big one
.
And then outcome standard 4.2,around that risk and conflict of
interest.
They're the main ones that sortof jump out at me.
A lot of the other ones in somerespects have been simplified a
(11:35):
little bit.
But then, forgetting theoutcome standards, if we have a
look at the compliancerequirements slash compliance
standards, as they're now calledaccording to DUR a lot of them
are mapped across to areas ofthe 2015 standards, whether it
was the USI, whether it was theissuance of qualification policy
(11:56):
.
So a lot of them will still mapacross.
The only funny part between thetwo things for RTOs that are
operating at the moment is thatthe compliance requirements have
got their pre-enrollmentinformation at the beginning
about the incentives and allthat, but also we have 2.1,
(12:16):
which talks about providinginformation to ensure
suitability of product.
So I made the decision toeffectively move marketing out
of compliance requirements andbunch it together with the
outcome standards under 2.1 tomake it part of that student's
journey being that information.
So because I think in thecompliance requirements it's
(12:37):
talking about marketing andinformation, versus in 2.1, it's
just information, and so to methat makes sense to have the two
bunched up together because itthen means marketing.
Then we talk about that studentsupport and enrollment aspect
and we move on.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
And I think information makes sense because,
in particular, if you're like,different RTOs don't all have
fee for service, they don't havemarketing, they have internal
information that they need toprovide.
So, when it comes toinformation, it's ensuring that
the student has a clearunderstanding of what are the
requirements to complete thistraining and be successful in it
(13:14):
.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
And it's not rocket science, is it?
Speaker 1 (13:16):
No.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It's just be honest with what you ensure that the
students know what they'restudying.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and they know if they've got work
placement.
How is that conducted?
Do they need to find the workplacement?
Does the RTO find the workplacement?
And you need to make that clearin your information that you
provide prior to coursecommencement.
The other one so I'm up inDarwin because I delivered a
workshop on support services.
(13:41):
On support services, one of thequestions I got asked is by one
of the audience was around.
We've got we deliverqualifications and training in
health services, and is it abreaking the standards with
regards to diversity andinclusion if we say that
(14:04):
students need to be physicallyfit?
And I went no, because part ofthe requirements is they need to
do first aid and they've got tobe able to get themselves up
and down off the floor.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Anywhere where we're doing a first aid, we always
make it that as part of theentry or the course requirements
is that they have to bephysically fit to perform two
minutes at least two minutes ofcontinuous CPR on the floor.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Yeah, and anything in health.
If you're working as a nurse orthere's so many things, you
can't go in with a bad back.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
No, a hundred percent .
We always talk about physicalfitness when it comes to any
type of physical activity, andone of the requirements that we
always put on our marketingflyers is also that if you are
under the influence of anythingthat may, or under stress, or
any mental health issues, etcetera, that could impact on
your ability to participate inthe course or be a safety
(14:53):
concern to you and others in theclass, then you will be
excluded from the class untilthat's resolved, and so we make
that as a standard statementwithin all our clients'
marketing information, becauseit's about protecting them.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Yeah, yeah, I just remembered a very interesting
conversation I had with an RTOwhere they had a student who
came in for working at Heightsand they did all of the theory
side and then they had to go upon.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
And they were scared of Heights.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
They were scared of Heights and they said no, I
can't go up there because I'mscared of heights.
And they're like this isworking at heights.
But can't you just give me thecertificate?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
No, and again, you know we assume, and we know what
assume means, right, yep.
And so one could argue that,okay, that's an opportunity for
improvement.
Maybe in our marketing flies wehave to put you will be
required to work on a platformat least of three meters or
higher.
So if you're scared of heights,yeah but, um, I had a?
(15:56):
um diving client and we had tomake sure that they were
physically fit for divingpurposes.
Had to make sure that they werephysically fit for diving
purposes.
Cpr is another good one.
So, yeah, we often assume andwe laugh, but at the end of the
day we have to make sure thateveryone understands.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
I call it idiot.
Proof our documents yes, that'sright and that information
you're providing prior, not onyour induction day, not after
they've enrolled.
Prior to enrollment, becausewhat I see with the support
standards, so quality.
Area two it's all aboutsuccessful completion and we
should all be looking at how canwe ensure successful completion
(16:39):
and one of the things-.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
And that includes starting before they enroll.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
That's right.
That's right, and you shouldwork back from successful
completion to prior to enrolment.
So what that information is andwhat I highly recommend all
RTOs do right now, is have alook at your completion ratings
now and set a KPI for in 12months' time.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
What you're, that's a great statistic to provide, not
only internally for your teamand others within the industry,
but then ultimately ASCA as well.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So I think when it comes backto the topic of re-registration,
we were talking earlier offaudio.
You were saying you haven'texperienced any.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Going to audit following re-reg, so no existing
client of mine.
I've had people approach meabout re-reg and we've gone
through that and, similar to you, we've worked with them leading
up to it.
We've taken them through, we'vemade sure that everything was
in line and they had all theevidence.
But what I find is that a lotof clients that have what would
(17:45):
be seen as a lower risk, theylodge their application,
application's approved, but theymay get an audit 12 months
after.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Now, being the pessimist, sometimes I sort of
wonder if that's a bit of awonder, if that's a bit of a.
What's a cost recoverymethodology?
Yes, because I don't knowwhether the cost of the audit is
included in the initial reg, inthe re-registration fee anymore
, because it used to be.
It used to be seven thousanddollars for re-registration and
(18:17):
it's a lot cheaper now to applyfor re-reg so so your re-reg fee
is just the fee.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
And if you go to audit, you pay per hour, correct
?
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Yeah, so I don't know .
Look, I generally think ASQA istaking on their risk approach
properly and you hear a lot ofRTOs that have been closed down,
qualifications being cancelled.
So I think there's the largerplayers at the moment, the
(18:48):
smaller RTOs that are justfocusing on the niche industries
.
I think there's a bit of well.
There are lower risks comparedto what the issues that we've
got to look at at the moment.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
Yeah, yeah, and I think.
So we've had a mix.
We've had some who just wentstraight through, submitted
their re-reg and got theirre-registration and then, but as
you said, it was more the highrisk.
So if you've got childcare onyour scope, disability,
community services, any of thoseones, they tend to be the
(19:19):
higher risk and anything thatinvolves equipment is more high
risk because they want to be thehigher risk and anything that
involves equipment is morehigher risk because they want to
see the equipment.
So I think that's where you'relooking at, but you don't know.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
It's a hit and miss.
But again, if you're going intothe post-initial registration
renewal so it's two years afterwith a fear of audit, you need
to change your mindset becauseyou need to be operating in a
way to basically say Asqua, comeon in, have a look, we're proud
of what we do, yeah, and see itas an opportunity for
(19:54):
improvement.
Yep, absolutely.
So yeah, I think don't fearaudit.
Focus on running your business,running your RTO in a compliant
manner, and learn the standardsand you'll be right yeah, I
think so too.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Great advice, thanks, may check.
That's uh another wrap up ofthe rto superhero podcast.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
So good from darwin, from darwin live good to see you
in person.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Likewise, and uh, may check's off on the road again
today doing his second laparound Australia.
Yep, we've been.
I've been, because this is myplan is to also do the lap
around Australia.
So I've been learning lots fromMaycheck over the last couple
of years.
Off to Kakadu, yes, yes,awesome.
So thank you very much.
(20:39):
Thank you, maycheck.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
And we look forward to catching up with you again
soon on the next podcast.
Welcome to the RTO Superhero with me Angela
Connell-Richards, and today I'mjoined with Maychek.
Hello, and we're still inDarwin.
How?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
beautiful, is it though?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Oh, it's been beautiful, so 32 degrees.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Yeah, beautiful weather.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
And it was 12 degrees back home, yep, okay, so today
we're going to be talking aboutre-registration and preparing
yourself for re-reg under thenew standards and what you need
to know.
Very interestingly, what we'rehearing is maybe you may not go
(00:35):
to an audit, but you may go toan audit, so let's see what
happens.
Okay, so let's start.
I've got a couple of clientswho are up for re-reg this year
and one had asked me thequestion when can I submit my
application for re-registration?
And you can submit up to 12months before, so you don't have
(00:57):
to wait for the three monthsbefore you can do the 12 months
before, 12 months before.
And then the next question Igot asked was well, will I go to
audit?
Then I said, well, possibly,but you don't know.
So they might actually see youbeing proactive with submitting
your application early and mightjust go.
Okay, we're busy right now,let's just push you through.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Correct and I think a lot of that is happening at the
moment is that they're pushingthe applications that are low
risk.
They're doing, obviously, theirrisk assessment based on scope,
complaints, et cetera, and, Iguess, picking the organisations
or the RTOs that are seen as ahigh risk to audit and the ones
(01:39):
that are, let's call it, flyingunder the radar, no issues, et
cetera.
Or what's the point of auditingthem if our resources are
stretched at the moment and weneed to look at other things?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Although it's really interesting, I will say.
One of my clients lost theirCRICOS registration because they
submitted for their CRICOSrenewal two days late and even
though they got told that's fine, put it through.
But because they had nostudents at the time and two
days late, they said, well,we're cancelling your
registration.
And the reason was because itwas lodged two days late and it
(02:12):
wouldn't be fair on existingCryocross providers, so that
didn't sit well with me.
The client wasn't too fussedbecause whatever, but it was
still a significant investmentbecause two days.
So the lesson there is do notleave your re-registration.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, I say that all the time, and if anybody comes
to us for re-registration, wewant at least six months 100%
before.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So you've got nine months before.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Yeah, to prepare them because they need to know.
They often come to us becausethey know they're non-compliant.
They just don't know hownon-compliant they are.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I mean the re-registration application
itself is about a 15-minute ASQAjob, right?
So the lodgement is.
There's no excuse not to lodge,even at 11.45 pm the day before
the cutoff.
Yeah, because you can lodge it,you can submit it and then at
least prepare for it.
But yeah, do not miss thedeadline.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Yeah, yeah, and I wouldn't wait until the three
months before you know, submitit before then.
The three months is a guidelineCorrect so that ASQA are
prepared.
So you need to understand whatis happening in your RTO and if
(03:28):
you think it's non-compliant, dosomething about it.
You know, and this is somethingthat I really identified in the
standards is being proactive.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
As opposed to reactive.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
As opposed to being reactive and really identifying
what are the risks that you havecurrently within your RTO.
So that's, under the governancerequirements, is making sure
you have a risk register, butit's making sure that you don't
just have the policies andprocedures, it's that you have
the understanding.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
The understanding and the demonstrated practices of
those things.
I think the critical thing toremember is, if you plead
ignorant, asca is going to comedown harder than being proactive
and demonstrate look, these arethe things that we've
identified, this is how we fixedit or how we are fixing it at
(04:16):
the moment, the moment you candemonstrate that you've got.
Yep, you've identified an issuewith an assessment tool or
whatever it was, but you'veactually put down a process to
fix it.
Asqa will look at that and gogood on you.
Well, done.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
No, rto is going to be 100% compliant.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Except ours.
All the ones that we work withyou know, you included, right.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yes, but ASQA aren't there to go.
We're looking fornon-compliances, we're looking
for evidence of compliance andif you are non-compliant, what
is your process for rectifyingthat?
And one thing I say be honestwith your annual declaration of
(04:59):
compliance, because if you do goto an audit following and ASQA
have said this they will belooking back at your annual
declaration and what yousubmitted.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah, it's one of those things that I always say
to anyone that asks me.
You know it's a balancing actbetween self-incrimination
versus declaration about thetruth, because at the end of the
day, you're signing a stat dec.
I think it's a stat dec, isn'tit?
Or just a declaration?
And yeah, you don't really wantto be turning around and saying
yeah, to the best of myknowledge, we're compliant.
(05:29):
Yet, knowingly, deep downinside you know that there's
flaws.
We all know that there's issues, identify them, put in a
redress process and then fix it.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, and I think your annual declaration of
compliance should be closelytied with your risk register,
identifying what those risks areand then action plan.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And, hopefully, your monthly ongoing compliance
practices that you'reimplementing to go okay, let's
not like this concept.
I know we've always spokenabout this annual internal audit
, etc.
No-transcript Right.
(06:31):
Constantly reviewing things,constantly seeking feedback,
constantly doing our continuousimprovement and actually
implementing what the concept ofthe standards is about, then
you're going to be far lessinclined to have issues at audit
.
Firstly, because you're goingto know the standards and the
auditors are going to or theperformances, are going to see
that you understand thestandards and you're going to
understand your practices a much, you know much deeper level and
ensure that you're complyingwith them.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Yeah, what we implement with our clients is we
have a poster with a continuousimprovement cycle and every
month we could look at a coupleof standards, so breaking it
down instead of having to do itall in one go.
So each month you're focusingon one area.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
We don't have a poster.
We've got a compliance schedulewhich goes over the 12 months,
picking out the various areas.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Yeah, yeah, and then we tie that with our vet PD, so
the vet PD will focus on that,and then the idea is for our
clients to then watch thatwebinar, then review what their
practices are and what they'redoing.
Yeah, yeah, what else would yourecommend for re-registration?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Again, similar to initial don't fear People that
fear audit don't understand theconcept of the environment that
we live in.
Audit is just part of what wedo.
It's part of your registration.
It is and it's running abusiness.
You can be audited by the ATO,you can be audited by ASQA.
So don't fear it.
(07:49):
Don't live in fear of an audit.
Focus on your practices.
Focus on that culture ofcompliance that we always talk
about.
Focus on that operationalrequirements across your whole
business, not just a complianceperson.
Across your whole of business,not just a compliance person.
Don't rely on a consultant tofix you six months before re-reg
(08:10):
.
We can perform miraclessometimes, but we can't make
stuff up.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
And we don't know who your auditor or assessor is
going to be.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
And so, yeah, just don't don't look at the
negatives.
Look at the positives and don'tbe scared to identify potential
issues that you can fix, butalso implement a process to
start fixing them, as opposed tooh well, let's just wait for
audit, because the auditor isgoing to identify them anyway.
That's not a good look.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
No, because once again, they're going to be
looking for evidence ofcompliance and that you are
implementing your policies andprocedures.
So part of that should be yourrisk management and your
continuous improvement.
So how are you implementingthat?
One of the things that I alsorecommend is you know, don't
leave it to the last minute.
(08:58):
Definitely don't do that.
We can not wave a magic wandand tell you that you're going
to have the best audit, becausewe don't know who's going to be
audited.
We also don't know whatskeletons are hiding in the
closet.
We need plenty of time, andthat's what we were talking
about earlier.
You need about nine months toprepare, or a year.
(09:22):
That's ideal.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
It depends on how bad your housekeeping is.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
But with the change of standards.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yeah, yeah, look for me the change of standards.
Yes, they are, I mean, thebiggest.
They've moved the date from theend of the standards for RTOs
to the beginning.
So, instead of being standardsfor RTOs 2015, it's now the 2025
standards for RTOs to thebeginning.
So, instead of being standardsfor RTOs 2015, it's now the 2025
standards for RTOs.
But, look, I would probably say70 to 80% is still somewhat
comparably aligned from the oldstandards to the new standards.
(09:54):
From an in-principleperspective, the wording has
changed a little bit, yes, but alot of the things, like I said,
your TASs are still your TASs.
There's tweaks that you need toput in there about student
support and so forth, butoverall, if your TAS was
compliant pre-July 1, there'snot really that much that you
(10:17):
need to do with it.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
As long as you're updating it.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
As long as you're updating it, correct.
But that's not a differencebetween the standards that
should be your operations as itis anyway, whether it's the old
standards or the new standards.
So from my perspective, it'sreally just.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Again, it goes back to that simple word what do you
think are the biggestdifferences that people will
need to be aware of and makesure that they have implemented
that?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
I think if we break down the outcome standards the
outcome standards, really, thatstudent support focus on.
Outcome standard two that'sprobably been the biggest area
that we need to focus on anddemonstrating how those support
mechanisms are in place withinyour organisation, suitable for
(11:13):
the client and demographic andcourse type that you've got.
The whole of workforcemanagement is probably a big one
.
And then outcome standard 4.2,around that risk and conflict of
interest.
They're the main ones that sortof jump out at me.
A lot of the other ones in somerespects have been simplified a
(11:35):
little bit.
But then, forgetting theoutcome standards, if we have a
look at the compliancerequirements slash compliance
standards, as they're now calledaccording to DUR a lot of them
are mapped across to areas ofthe 2015 standards, whether it
was the USI, whether it was theissuance of qualification policy
(11:56):
.
So a lot of them will still mapacross.
The only funny part between thetwo things for RTOs that are
operating at the moment is thatthe compliance requirements have
got their pre-enrollmentinformation at the beginning
about the incentives and allthat, but also we have 2.1,
(12:16):
which talks about providinginformation to ensure
suitability of product.
So I made the decision toeffectively move marketing out
of compliance requirements andbunch it together with the
outcome standards under 2.1 tomake it part of that student's
journey being that information.
So because I think in thecompliance requirements it's
(12:37):
talking about marketing andinformation, versus in 2.1, it's
just information, and so to methat makes sense to have the two
bunched up together because itthen means marketing.
Then we talk about that studentsupport and enrollment aspect
and we move on.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
And I think information makes sense because,
in particular, if you're like,different RTOs don't all have
fee for service, they don't havemarketing, they have internal
information that they need toprovide.
So, when it comes toinformation, it's ensuring that
the student has a clearunderstanding of what are the
requirements to complete thistraining and be successful in it
(13:14):
.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
And it's not rocket science, is it?
Speaker 1 (13:16):
No.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It's just be honest with what you ensure that the
students know what they'restudying.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and they know if they've got work
placement.
How is that conducted?
Do they need to find the workplacement?
Does the RTO find the workplacement?
And you need to make that clearin your information that you
provide prior to coursecommencement.
The other one so I'm up inDarwin because I delivered a
workshop on support services.
(13:41):
On support services, one of thequestions I got asked is by one
of the audience was around.
We've got we deliverqualifications and training in
health services, and is it abreaking the standards with
regards to diversity andinclusion if we say that
(14:04):
students need to be physicallyfit?
And I went no, because part ofthe requirements is they need to
do first aid and they've got tobe able to get themselves up
and down off the floor.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Anywhere where we're doing a first aid, we always
make it that as part of theentry or the course requirements
is that they have to bephysically fit to perform two
minutes at least two minutes ofcontinuous CPR on the floor.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Yeah, and anything in health.
If you're working as a nurse orthere's so many things, you
can't go in with a bad back.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
No, a hundred percent .
We always talk about physicalfitness when it comes to any
type of physical activity, andone of the requirements that we
always put on our marketingflyers is also that if you are
under the influence of anythingthat may, or under stress, or
any mental health issues, etcetera, that could impact on
your ability to participate inthe course or be a safety
(14:53):
concern to you and others in theclass, then you will be
excluded from the class untilthat's resolved, and so we make
that as a standard statementwithin all our clients'
marketing information, becauseit's about protecting them.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Yeah, yeah, I just remembered a very interesting
conversation I had with an RTOwhere they had a student who
came in for working at Heightsand they did all of the theory
side and then they had to go upon.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
And they were scared of Heights.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
They were scared of Heights and they said no, I
can't go up there because I'mscared of heights.
And they're like this isworking at heights.
But can't you just give me thecertificate?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
No, and again, you know we assume, and we know what
assume means, right, yep.
And so one could argue that,okay, that's an opportunity for
improvement.
Maybe in our marketing flies wehave to put you will be
required to work on a platformat least of three meters or
higher.
So if you're scared of heights,yeah but, um, I had a?
(15:56):
um diving client and we had tomake sure that they were
physically fit for divingpurposes.
Had to make sure that they werephysically fit for diving
purposes.
Cpr is another good one.
So, yeah, we often assume andwe laugh, but at the end of the
day we have to make sure thateveryone understands.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
I call it idiot.
Proof our documents yes, that'sright and that information
you're providing prior, not onyour induction day, not after
they've enrolled.
Prior to enrollment, becausewhat I see with the support
standards, so quality.
Area two it's all aboutsuccessful completion and we
should all be looking at how canwe ensure successful completion
(16:39):
and one of the things-.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
And that includes starting before they enroll.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
That's right.
That's right, and you shouldwork back from successful
completion to prior to enrolment.
So what that information is andwhat I highly recommend all
RTOs do right now, is have alook at your completion ratings
now and set a KPI for in 12months' time.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
What you're, that's a great statistic to provide, not
only internally for your teamand others within the industry,
but then ultimately ASCA as well.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So I think when it comes backto the topic of re-registration,
we were talking earlier offaudio.
You were saying you haven'texperienced any.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Going to audit following re-reg, so no existing
client of mine.
I've had people approach meabout re-reg and we've gone
through that and, similar to you, we've worked with them leading
up to it.
We've taken them through, we'vemade sure that everything was
in line and they had all theevidence.
But what I find is that a lotof clients that have what would
(17:45):
be seen as a lower risk, theylodge their application,
application's approved, but theymay get an audit 12 months
after.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Now, being the pessimist, sometimes I sort of
wonder if that's a bit of awonder, if that's a bit of a.
What's a cost recoverymethodology?
Yes, because I don't knowwhether the cost of the audit is
included in the initial reg, inthe re-registration fee anymore
, because it used to be.
It used to be seven thousanddollars for re-registration and
(18:17):
it's a lot cheaper now to applyfor re-reg so so your re-reg fee
is just the fee.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
And if you go to audit, you pay per hour, correct
?
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Yeah, so I don't know .
Look, I generally think ASQA istaking on their risk approach
properly and you hear a lot ofRTOs that have been closed down,
qualifications being cancelled.
So I think there's the largerplayers at the moment, the
(18:48):
smaller RTOs that are justfocusing on the niche industries
.
I think there's a bit of well.
There are lower risks comparedto what the issues that we've
got to look at at the moment.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
Yeah, yeah, and I think.
So we've had a mix.
We've had some who just wentstraight through, submitted
their re-reg and got theirre-registration and then, but as
you said, it was more the highrisk.
So if you've got childcare onyour scope, disability,
community services, any of thoseones, they tend to be the
(19:19):
higher risk and anything thatinvolves equipment is more high
risk because they want to be thehigher risk and anything that
involves equipment is morehigher risk because they want to
see the equipment.
So I think that's where you'relooking at, but you don't know.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
It's a hit and miss.
But again, if you're going intothe post-initial registration
renewal so it's two years afterwith a fear of audit, you need
to change your mindset becauseyou need to be operating in a
way to basically say Asqua, comeon in, have a look, we're proud
of what we do, yeah, and see itas an opportunity for
(19:54):
improvement.
Yep, absolutely.
So yeah, I think don't fearaudit.
Focus on running your business,running your RTO in a compliant
manner, and learn the standardsand you'll be right yeah, I
think so too.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Great advice, thanks, may check.
That's uh another wrap up ofthe rto superhero podcast.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
So good from darwin, from darwin live good to see you
in person.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Likewise, and uh, may check's off on the road again
today doing his second laparound Australia.
Yep, we've been.
I've been, because this is myplan is to also do the lap
around Australia.
So I've been learning lots fromMaycheck over the last couple
of years.
Off to Kakadu, yes, yes,awesome.
So thank you very much.
(20:39):
Thank you, maycheck.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
And we look forward to catching up with you again
soon on the next podcast.
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