​Registration of training organisations may end if:

  • the period of registration expires
  • the registered training organisation (RTO) wishes to cease its operations
  • there are grounds for cancellation due to non-compliance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Standards.

Registration expires

If you fail to renew your registration before its expiry date, you must cease to operate as an RTO. This means that your organisation can no longer offer nationally recognised training and assessment or use the Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) logo.

Ceasing to operate

An RTO may withdraw its registration by giving written notice to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

ASQA will allow withdrawal of the registration if it is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so. The RTO must have met all of its obligations under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.

An organisation whose registration is withdrawn must return its Certificate of Registration to ASQA within 10 working days of the date the withdrawal takes effect.

The Application to withdraw an RTO and/or CRICOS registration form includes a checklist to help RTOs to complete the application.

There is no fee to withdraw registration.

Non-compliance

The national vocational education and training system sets clear expectations - through legislation, standards and requirements - for RTOs and course owners to take responsibility for the quality of their qualifications and services.

ASQA expects that all RTOs will meet these standards. Most organisations will recognise the value of regulation and want to comply with the requirements. An RTO’s own quality processes should make sure that they do not inadvertently fail to meet the standards.

However, from time to time ASQA may identify instances of non-compliance, and if these are not rectified within a stated period the RTO may attract a sanction or penalty.

For further information refer to the ASQA Enforcement factsheet.