RTOs can have internal audits conducted by an RTO Consultant or external audits conducted by ASQA. Internal audits are conducted to ensure a provider remains compliant in preparation for an external audit. ASQA conducts External Audits to understand the overall performance of an RTO against the Standards and legislation. Standards outline what requirements need to be met by RTOs. The standards that ASQA assesses against performance are:
Regarding Legislation, the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 is used for a performance assessment for RTOs and the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) for CRICOS and ELICOS providers. Most RTOs will have at least one Audit or Performance Assessment by ASQA at some point. The best way to prepare for an ASQA audit is to ensure compliance by understanding the Audit process.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) conducts compliance audits (performance assessments) to ensure an RTO’s compliance with national standards.
An RTO will have many audits conducted by ASQA in its lifetime, starting within the first two years after registration. These can include compliance audits, re-registration audits, scope audits, and CRICOS audits for those providing international learning.
ASQA will continue throughout the life of the RTO to ensure the organisation maintains full compliance with national standards for RTOs. Audits are essential to being an RTO, and your future success depends on always remaining compliant.
What does an ASQA Audit involve?
When assessing an RTO's performance, ASQA focuses very heavily on the student experience. According to ASQA 5 key phases of a student’s learning experience are involved in a performance assessment:
• Marketing and recruitment • Enrolment • Support and progression • Training and assessment • Completion
What is the Audit process?
An audit will be customised to your particular RTO and is based on ASQA’s risk assessment of the RTO as well as the RTO’s compliance history. If an RTO has a record of poor student outcomes and is deemed higher risk, its audit will be more comprehensive.
Generally, a site visit is part of the audit process, and auditors will look to confirm and approve the documentation and evidence that has been supplied to them. This can include: • A review of the learner experience • A location and equipment review to ensure it is at the required standard • Reviewing marketing collateral like websites • Conduct student interviews • Conduct interviews with assessors and training providers • Communicate with any third-party providers
How to remain compliant and always be ready for an Audit Regular self-assessment is essential to ensure your RTO delivers high quality at every step of the student experience and that assessment practices continue to meet national standards. So long as your RTO has reasonable processes and policies, you probably won’t require a performance assessment.
The best way to ensure you are always 100% compliant is to conduct an internal audit by an RTO Consultant. At RTO Intelligence, we can conduct internal audits on any aspect of your RTO. Our audit will provide a detailed report showing the areas that may be non-compliant and how to correct them. Get in touch to arrange your RTO audit today on 1300 833 424 or email info@rtointelligence.com.au
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