Maximum VET registration period increased to seven years

Training organisations could be registered for up to seven years under changes recently implemented by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

An increased maximum registration period—which was previously set at five years—was one of a number of changes made recently to the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act. Changes to the Act received Royal Assent on 2 April.

As a result, any application to establish a new registered training provider (RTO) or renew the registration of an existing RTO that is approved on or after 3 April 2015 may result in a seven year registration period.

The granting of a seven year registration period is not guaranteed. ASQA will continue to exercise its discretion when determining an RTO’s registration period.

This change does not apply retrospectively—any RTO that had an initial or renewal VET application approved on or before 2 April 2015 will retain the registration period granted to them. Their registration period may be moved to 7 years after their next renewal application is approved.

This change does not apply to registration on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), which is still set at five years.