RTO Intelligence supports new domestic RTO applications through ASQA and, where eligible, VRQA or TAC. We agree your regulator, scope, responsibilities and deliverables before the application build begins.
Which regulator applies to your RTO?
- ASQA — national pathway: generally applies to providers delivering to students in referring states and territories (NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and Northern Territory), including interstate online delivery, and VET providers delivering to overseas students on student visas. Being based in Victoria does not automatically make VRQA the right regulator.
- VRQA — eligible Victorian domestic providers: may apply where delivery and student locations are restricted to Victoria, or Victoria and Western Australia, and there is no delivery to overseas students on student visas. We confirm eligibility against the proposed locations, online delivery and student cohort before preparing a VRQA application.
- TAC — eligible Western Australian domestic providers: may apply for providers operating within WA, or WA and Victoria only, without student-visa delivery. We confirm the relevant state pathway rather than treating all registrations as ASQA applications.
RTO Intelligence supports feasibility, evidence preparation and application support for these pathways, with the work tailored to the relevant regulator's requirements. The applicant retains responsibility for declarations, sign-off and operating the RTO; the regulator makes the registration decision.
Read ASQA's regulator guidance, the VRQA website and TAC jurisdiction guidance.
Current ASQA registration fees
ASQA currently lists the following initial RTO registration fees. Information reviewed 14 October 2026; check the regulator's current schedule before budgeting or paying.
| Government fee | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Initial RTO registration application / lodgement | $2,350 |
| Initial registration assessment | $5,000 |
| Combined application and assessment fees | $7,350 |
These are ASQA fees, not an all-inclusive RTO setup price. They do not include our consulting or the costs of establishing and operating your business. Annual registration charges and any other applicable regulator charges are separate. VRQA and TAC have their own fee schedules; the ASQA amounts above should not be used for those applications.
Check ASQA's current fees and charges.
Other setup costs — itemised in your project budget
- Consulting: agreed scope for feasibility, application preparation, evidence coordination and support; quoted separately.
- Training and assessment: TAS development, learning resources, assessment tools, contextualisation, industry consultation and quality review.
- People: trainers, assessors, management, administration and professional advice.
- Systems: student management / AVETMISS software, accounting software, policies, procedures, forms and records.
- Facilities and operations: premises, equipment, insurance, accounting, website and working capital.
These costs depend on your qualifications, delivery model, staffing and existing resources. We provide a customised quote and distinguish consulting fees, regulator fees and third-party costs. The former $8,600–$18,000 government-fee range is not used as the current ASQA initial application and assessment fee.
CRICOS: check eligibility before planning a launch
ASQA has suspended most new CRICOS registration applications until 19 May 2027. The suspension began on 19 May 2026 and also affects certain applications to add courses. It is not simply an extra few months on a domestic registration timeline.
Exceptions and transitional arrangements apply. We check your provider type, proposed application and any existing application against the current rules before recommending work or expenditure. Domestic RTO registration does not itself authorise enrolment of overseas students on student visas. Separate CRICOS eligibility and registration requirements must be met.
We can help with domestic readiness, future international-delivery planning and existing-provider compliance, but cannot promise that a suspended application can be lodged or approved. Read ASQA's suspension notice and exceptions.
Your role and our role
RTO Intelligence leads the agreed application project: evidence planning, document development, readiness reviews and responses to regulator questions. Your owners and CEO approve the scope, supply accurate financial and operational information, engage suitable staff, secure facilities and resources, and sign the required declarations and application. Accountants and other specialists supply professional evidence where required. Registration approval and assessment timing remain with the regulator.
Plan your RTO setup
Before committing to resources, clarify your business goals, intended students, qualifications, delivery locations and modes, available capital, staffing and facilities. Registration and government funding contracts are separate processes; approval of one does not guarantee the other.
Complete our setup questionnaire, explore our business planning support, or book a scoping call for an agreed plan and quote.
Use training.gov.au to research training products and ASQA's provider tools for current financial viability guidance.
RTO Setup — FAQs
How much are ASQA's initial RTO registration fees?+
As reviewed on 14 October 2026, ASQA lists $2,350 for the initial application and $5,000 for assessment: $7,350 combined. Consulting, resources, staffing, software, facilities, annual registration charges and any other applicable fees are separate. VRQA and TAC set their own fees. Check the official schedule before paying.
How long does RTO registration take?+
Preparation depends on your scope, existing resources and evidence readiness. Regulator assessment occurs after submission and has a separate timeframe. Our Queensland case study's 14 weeks means application build to submission, not the full time to registration. We agree preparation milestones but do not guarantee regulator timing or approval.
Should a Victorian RTO apply to ASQA or VRQA?+
VRQA may be the pathway for eligible domestic providers delivering only in Victoria, or Victoria and Western Australia. Delivery to students in other states, including online, or to overseas students on student visas generally brings a VET provider within ASQA's jurisdiction. We confirm student locations, delivery plans and eligibility before recommending the pathway.
Can I apply for CRICOS when setting up a new RTO?+
ASQA has suspended most new CRICOS registration applications until 19 May 2027; certain course additions are also affected. Exceptions and transitional arrangements apply. We check eligibility and current rules first. Domestic registration is separate and does not authorise student-visa enrolments.
What is the Financial Viability Risk Assessment (FVRA)?+
It assesses whether the applicant has the financial capacity to deliver its proposed training and meet its obligations. We help coordinate the required evidence and forecasts with you and your accountant using the relevant regulator's current requirements. Any specialist professional work is scoped separately.
What does an RTO registration consultant do?+
Our agreed work can cover feasibility, scope selection, financial viability evidence, TAS and resources, policies and systems, application lodgement support, regulator questions and post-approval support. The applicant provides accurate evidence and signs declarations; the regulator decides registration.
Do I need VET experience to own an RTO?+
Owners and key personnel must meet the applicable fit and proper person requirements, and the organisation needs competent management, trainers and assessors. We review the proposed team's capability and responsibilities during feasibility; ownership alone does not establish eligibility.