Integrity of Nationally Recognised Training Products — Practice Guide¶
ASQA Practice Guide · Compliance Standards · Standards CS §9-14 · Published 17 June 2025 · Version 1.0
Verbatim reproduction of the ASQA Practice Guide, extracted from the source PDF with layout preservation (via
pdftotext -layout). The body below preserves the original two-column table structure — performance indicators on the left, example activities and known risks on the right.Source: https://www.asqa.gov.au/for-providers/standards-for-RTOs/practice-guides
Companion docs: -
standards-outcome.md/standards-compliance.md— the underlying legislative text -standards-explanatory.md— the Explanatory Statement commentary -compliance-reference.md— RTOpacks module × standard mapping
Practice Guide
Integrity of Nationally Recognised
Training Products
Ver 1.0
Published 17 June 2025
Compliance Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations
Part 2 Compliance Requirements
Division 2 – Integrity of Nationally Recognised Training Products
What are the key concepts?
The following key concepts are covered in this practice guide:
Compliance requirements
• Issuance of AQF certification documentation • Student identifier requirements
• Records of AQF certification documentation • Nationally Recognised Training logo
and assessments • Transition of training products
• Issue of VET qualifications and VET statements
of attainment
Achieving these Compliance Requirements in practice
The following tables provide guidance on meeting the Compliance Requirements as well as risks to
mitigate or avoid. These should be considered within the context, size, scale and student cohorts of your
RTO’s operations.
Issuance of AQF certification documentation
Requirement Example activities and other considerations for
compliance
1. An NVR registered training organisation • You have systems and controls in place to
must not issue AQF certification ensure qualifications, statements of attainment,
documentation to any person unless the and records of results are only issued to students
person is a VET student who the organisation that have met all assessment requirements,
has assessed as meeting the requirements of including where recognition of prior learning
the training product. (RPL) was used.
2. Where an NVR registered training organisation • You can demonstrate that you consistently issue
has assessed a VET student as meeting the the relevant AQF certification documentation
requirements of the training product in to students within thirty (30) calendar days of
accordance with subsection (1), the completion of their assessment.
organisation must ensure the AQF certification
• Where a student has not completed a full AQF
documentation is issued to the VET student
qualification, you ensure your system allows for
within 30 calendar days from the completion of
the issuance of statements of attainment upon a
the assessment, provided the VET student: student’s exit from a training program, whether
a. has completed the AQF qualification or the student has completed the full program or
completed one or more units of an AQF not.
qualification which they have subsequently Known risks to compliance
withdrawn from; and
b. has paid to the organisation all agreed • Failing to have systems in place that mitigate the
fees associated with the training product. risk of students being issued with AQF
certification documentation before they have
demonstrated competence in all the training
product requirements.
• Preparing students’ AQF certification
documentation before all assessment has been
finalised.
• Failing to verify that the enrolled student is the
person that completed the assessment, prior to
the issuance of the AQF certification
documentation.
• Not ensuring that only authorised employees
have access to produce / issue the AQF
certification documentation.
• Allowing a third party to produce / issue AQF
certification documentation on your RTO’s behalf.
Records of AQF certification documentation and assessments
Requirement Example activities and other considerations for
compliance
An NVR registered training organisation must: • You can demonstrate that your register of AQF
a. maintain a register in accordance with the qualifications and statements of attainment
AQF Qualifications Register Policy of all: meets the requirements of the AQF
Qualifications Register Policy.
i. AQF qualifications it is authorised to issue;
and • You can demonstrate the systems you use to
ii. AQF qualifications and VET statements of reissue, as necessary, lost or damaged AQF
attainment the organisation has issued to certification documentation exactly as issued in
VET students; the first instance.
b. retain records, in accordance with the AQF • You ensure your systems allow for the retention
Qualifications Register Policy, of all AQF of all assessments that are submitted by a
certification documentation issued to VET student for at least two (2) years after the student
students for a period of thirty years; has completed the training product, unless
required for a longer period under additional
c. retain records of all assessments submitted regulatory or legislative requirements relevant to
by a VET student to the organisation or a your operations. For example, in the case of a
third party for a period of two years after the student taking six (6) years to complete a training
student has completed the training product; product, this means a retention period of eight (8)
d. ensure VET students – including those years.
previously enrolled with the organisation –
• You ensure that storage of student assessment
are able to access copies of their AQF
documentation, whether in hard copy or
certification documentation retained under
electronic, is done in such a way that it is easily
paragraph (b); and
accessible and of a usable quality for the entire
e. upon request from the National VET retention period.
Regulator, provide a report of all AQF
• You have safeguards in place to ensure the
qualifications and VET statements of
records of all AQF certification documentation
attainment the organisation has issued
issued to students is, and will continue to be,
during the period specified in the Regulator’s
accessible for a period of thirty (30) years.
request.
• You ensure that student records are backed up
digitally in systems to allow records to remain
accessible and understandable despite any
technology or software advancements.
• You have safeguards in place to protect the
privacy of students and the personal
information that you hold.
• If your organisation ceases being an RTO, you
provide a copy of all AQF certification
documentation issued, to ASQA in the form
specified within the timeframe prescribed.
Known risks to compliance
• Not maintaining a register that meets all
requirements of the AQF Qualifications Register
Policy.
• Failing to maintain a system that can generate, in
a timely manner, a report of all AQF certification
documentation issued in a particular period, or as
requested by ASQA.
• Failing to retain all completed assessments
associated with the training product, including
partially completed assessments that result in a
withdrawal, and evidence collected for a
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
• Retaining only hardcopy records of AQF
certification documentation that could be lost or
destroyed – for example, if exposed to natural
elements like fire or flood.
• Disposing of assessment evidence before two (2)
years has elapsed since the student completed
the training product.
• Failing to ensure that when an RTO’s ownership
changes, the incoming owner is provided with
complete and accurate AQF certification
documentation issuance registers.
• Not having a system in place to process
applications for the reissuance of AQF
certification documentation following a student
name change.
• Reissuing a student’s AQF certification
documentation and failing to ensure it is reflective
of the information as at the original issuance date
(such as date of issuance and the authorised
signatory at the time of original issuance).
Issue of VET qualifications and VET statements of attainment
Requirement Example activities and other considerations for
compliance
1. All VET qualifications issued by an NVR • You ensure your Student Management System
registered training organisation must comply has an approved and quality-controlled template
that meets the requirements of the AQF
with the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy Qualifications Issuance Policy and Compliance
and must include: Requirements.
a. the name, registration code and logo of the • You ensure that the approved template complies
organisation; with the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy and
b. the code and title of the AQF qualification; the NRT Logo Conditions of Use Policy.
c. the NRT logo – in accordance with the • You have a system in place to maintain the
requirements of the NRT Logo integrity of approved templates.
Conditions of Use policy; Known risks to compliance
d. the signature of an individual who the
organisation has authorised to sign the • Failing to maintain the integrity of the approved
AQF qualification; templates in the Student Management System.
e. the organisation’s seal, corporate identifier
or unique watermark;
f. the following statement: “The qualification
is recognised within the Australian
Qualifications Framework”, or any AQF
logo authorised by the Conditions for the
Use of the Australian Qualifications
Framework Logo policy;
g. where the AQF qualification has an
industry descriptor as listed on the
National Register in the corresponding
training product – the industry descriptor;
h. where the AQF qualification has an
occupational or functional stream listed on
the National Register under the
corresponding training product – the title
of the stream in brackets after the code
and title of the AQF qualification;
i. where the AQF qualification has been
obtained by a VET student in the course of
undertaking an Australian apprenticeship –
the statement: “Achieved through
Australian Apprenticeship arrangements”;
and
j. where any part of the AQF qualification
has been delivered in another language –
the statement: “these units of
competency/modules have been delivered
and assessed in [insert relevant
language]” followed by a list of all units of
competency or modules that have been
delivered in the relevant language.
2. All VET statements of attainment issued by an
NVR registered training organisation must
comply with the AQF Qualifications Issuance
Policy and must include:
a. the name, registration code and logo of the
organisation;
b. the full title and national code, as set out
on the National Register, of:
i. each unit of competency to which the
statement relates; or
ii. if no units of competency exist – each
module to which the statement relates;
c. the NRT logo – in accordance with the
requirements of the NRT Logo Conditions
of Use policy;
d. the signature of an individual who the
organisation has authorised to sign the
statement;
e. the organisation’s seal, corporate identifier
or unique watermark;
f. the statement: “A VET statement of
attainment is issued by an NVR registered
training organisation when an individual
has completed one or more accredited
units or modules”;
g. where the units of competency form part of
a VET course or qualification – the
following statement: “These competencies
form part of [code and full title of the
relevant VET course or qualification]”;
h. where the units of competency have been
attained in the course of completing a VET
course – the following statement: “These
competencies were attained in completion
of [VET course code] course in [full title of
the VET course]”; and
i. where any of the units of competency or
modules listed on the statement have
been delivered in another language – the
statement: “these units of
competency/modules have been delivered
and assessed in [insert relevant
language]” followed by a list of all units of
competency or modules that have been
delivered in the relevant language.
Student identifier requirements
Requirement Example activities and other considerations for
compliance
1. An NVR registered training organisation must: • Unless an exemption is in place, you have
a. not include any individual’s student systems in place to ensure you only issue AQF
identifier on a VET qualification or VET certification documentation to students that hold
statement of attainment; and their own student identifier, and that these have
been verified by the Registrar.
b. request the Registrar to verify that any
student identifier provided to it by an • You ensure that your templates for AQF
individual belongs to that individual before certification documentation do not, and will not,
the organisation uses the identifier for any include individual’s student identifiers (i.e. Unique
purpose. Student Identifier (USI) number).
2. Subject to subsections (3) and (5), an NVR • For providers with exemptions in place, you
registered training organisation must not issue ensure students have been advised of any
a VET qualification or a VET statement of difficulties that may arise when accessing
attainment to a VET student unless the information through the Commonwealth or USI
student has been assigned a student identifier. Register.
• You ensure that you take reasonable measures
Exemptions given by the Minister to protect the privacy of an individual’s Unique
Student Identifier.
3. The Minister may, in writing and as agreed by
the Ministerial Council, specify an issue to Known risks to compliance
which the requirement in subsection (2) does
not apply, by reference to one or more of the • Failing to have a system in place to verify USIs.
following: • For exemptions given by the Minister, ensuring
a. the organisation doing the issuing; this data is not accessible through the
Commonwealth, or on any authenticated
b. the VET qualification, or VET statement of
transcripts prepared by the USI Registrar.
attainment, being issued; or
c. the VET student to whom the VET
qualification, or VET statement of
attainment, is being issued.
4. Where an exemption described in subsection
(3) or subsection 53(3) of the Student
Identifiers Act 2014 applies – an NVR
registered training organisation must inform
the VET student prior to the completion of
enrolment or commencement of training and
assessment, whichever occurs first, that the
results of the training:
a. will not be accessible through the
Commonwealth; and
b. will not appear on any authenticated VET
transcript prepared by the Registrar.
5. Subsections (2) and (3) only apply to NVR
registered training organisations that are not
constitutional corporations.
Note: Similar requirements to those set out in subsections
(2) and (3), that apply to NVR registered training
organisations that are constitutional corporations, are set
out in section 53 of the Student Identifiers Act 2014.
Nationally Recognised Training logo
Requirement Example activities and other considerations for
compliance
Schedule 2 – Nationally Recognised Training • You have systems and processes to demonstrate
Logo Conditions of Use Policy that you are using the NRT logo in accordance
1. The Nationally Recognised Training Logo with the NRT Logo Conditions of Use Policy.
• The Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) • You have safeguards in place to ensure that your
Logo is a distinguishable mark of quality for approved AQF certification documentation only
promoting and certifying national vocational includes the NRT logo on certificates and
education and training leading to Australian statements of attainment, not records of results.
Qualifications Framework certification • You can demonstrate that your marketing and
documentation. advertising materials do not create misleading
• The NRT Logo is a registered trademark. impressions through inappropriate use or
placement of the NRT logo. This includes on
2. Authorisation to use the NRT Logo
marketing materials distributed by your third party
• NVR registered training organisations are providers.
authorised to use the NRT Logo in
• You have policies and procedures that ensure
accordance with this policy.
the NRT logo is only used for accredited training,
3. Overarching principles and where non-accredited training and
• The NRT Logo may only be used by NVR assessment is being conducted you are not using
registered training organisations in the NRT logo.
accordance with this policy and any • You ensure the NRT logo you have on file has
requirements imposed in an instrument been directly supplied by ASQA and is unaltered
made under section 185 of the National in any way.
Vocational Education and Training
Regulator Act 2011. • You ensure that the colours of the NRT logo are
in accordance with the compliance requirements.
• The NRT Logo may only be used in
association with nationally recognised Known risks to compliance
training which may include:
• Not having a system in place to limit when the
a. training package qualifications NRT logo can be used and by whom (e.g. third
b. accredited qualifications parties).
c. accredited short courses • Amending the colour scheme for the NRT logo to
d. training package skill sets be in accordance with your own enterprise
branding.
e. units of competency and accredited
modules. • Failing to ensure the NRT logo is only associated
with accredited training that is listed on the
• All nationally recognised training is listed on
National Register.
the National Register (at training.gov.au).
• Failing to design promotional materials in such a
• The NRT Logo must not be used in a way
way as to clearly distinguish between the
that creates misleading impressions.
nationally recognised training delivered by your
RTO and any other type of training offered by the
organisation.
4. Use of the NRT Logo on AQF certification
documentation
• The NRT Logo must be depicted on all AQF
certification documentation issued by an
NVR registered training organisation.
• The NRT Logo must not be depicted on
other testamurs or transcripts of results.
5. Use of the NRT Logo in other
circumstances
• The NRT Logo may be used in some other
circumstances as detailed below.
Advertisements and promotional information in
any medium (including but not limited to print,
television, radio, banners, and internet)
• NVR registered training organisations may
use the NRT Logo to promote nationally
recognised training provided that training is
within the organisation’s scope of
registration.
• In using the NRT Logo for this purpose, the
organisation must not create the impression
that the NRT Logo applies to, or is
associated with, all training provided by the
organisation, if this is not the case.
• The NRT Logo cannot be used by an
organisation where the training is
accredited, but is outside the scope of the
organisation’s registration. Where training is
being promoted and does not meet the
requirements stipulated in the VET Quality
Framework or is outside the organisation’s
scope of registration, it must be made clear
the NRT Logo is not associated with that
training.
• Use of the NRT Logo is only permitted
where there is a direct relationship to an
AQF qualification or unit of competency as
specified within training packages or VET
accredited courses.
Student information
• Where an NVR registered training
organisation uses the NRT Logo in
promotional material such as brochures,
handbooks or prospectuses that also refer
to training offered by the organisation, the
promotional material must clearly distinguish
between nationally recognised training
within the scope of the organisation’s
registration and any other type of training
offered by the organisation.
Corporate stationery, business cards, buildings,
training resources and merchandise
• The NRT Logo must not be used on
products such as corporate stationery,
business cards, building signage,
merchandise and marketing products (e.g.
mouse pads, pens, satchels, or packaging
around products), or learning resources
supporting training.
6. Standards for the use of the NRT Logo
Format for reproduction
• The NRT Logo can only be reproduced from
hard or electronic copies provided by the
National VET Regulator.
• The NRT logo consists of both the triangular
shape and the descriptor. The triangle is not
to be used without the descriptor. The
typeface is Fritz Quadrata. Under no
circumstances is the descriptor to be typeset
in any other typeface.
• The complete NRT Logo may be varied in
size. The size and position of the NRT Logo
on the final product is at the discretion of the
product designer. Although the size of the
logo may be varied, the proportions of the
triangle and the descriptor in relation to each
other may not be varied. Under no
circumstance is the logo to be reproduced in
mirror image or be rotated.
Two colour reproduction
• Where the NRT Logo is reproduced in
colour, it must comply with the following
colour requirements. Deviation from these
colours is not permitted, nor are colours to
be swapped around or stippled. The only
colours to be used are:
GREEN PMS 343
RED PMS 192
One colour reproduction
• Where the NRT Logo is reproduced in one
colour, it should preferably be in GREEN
PMS 343 or, where this is not suitable, it
may be reproduced in black. In some
situations the background colour may clash
or the logo may not be prominent. In those
situations, the black logo may be reversed
out to display in white.
Transition of training products
Requirement Example activities and other considerations for
compliance
1. Unless otherwise approved by the National • Your enrolment systems and processes prevent
VET Regulator an NVR registered training students from being enrolled into a superseded
organisation must ensure: skill set, unit of competency, accredited short
a. where a training product is superseded: course or module after one (1) year from the
date the replacement training product was
i. no individuals are enrolled in the
included on the National Register.
superseded training product from the
period commencing one (1) year from o Where a current AQF qualification or skill
the date the replacement training set contains a superseded unit, you continue
product was included on the National to deliver the superseded unit as per the
Register; and training package rules.
ii. all VET students enrolled in the • You can demonstrate how you determine a
superseded training product have timely period for a VET student’s completion of a
completed the training product and superseded training product (or transference into
been issued the relevant AQF the replacement training product). The ‘timely
certification documentation or have manner’ may take into account factors such as:
o meeting the needs and best interests of the
student cohort
been transferred into the replacement o your organisation’s readiness to adapt to the
training product in a timely manner; change
b. where an AQF qualification is no longer o the nature of the training product itself
current and has not been superseded – all o the expectations of industry.
VET students enrolled in the training and • You have controls in place to ensure ongoing
assessment leading to the qualification currency of the training being offered.
have, within a period of two (2) years from • You can demonstrate how you ensure that you
the date the qualification was removed or meet the transition requirements for superseded,
deleted from the National Register: non-current, deleted and expired training
i. completed the qualification; and products.
ii. received all AQF certification Known risks to compliance
documentation relating to the
qualification; • Not having systems in place to regularly review
c. where a skill set, unit of competency, the status of training products on the National
accredited short course or module is no Register.
longer current and has not been • Not being aware of major training package
superseded – all VET students enrolled in reviews underway, as relevant to your scope of
the training and assessment have, within registration.
one (1) year from the date the training and • Allowing students to enrol into a superseded skill
assessment is deleted from the National set, unit of competency, accredited short course
Register: or module outside of the authorised timeframe.
i. completed the training and
• Replacing superseded units of competency with
assessment; and
another unit of competency, not the replacement
ii. received all AQF certification unit as stated on the National Register.
documentation relating to the training
• Failing to implement a system for recording the
and assessment.
timeframe you have set for a student’s timely
2. An NVR registered training organisation completion of a superseded training product.
must ensure the organisation does not allow
individuals to commence training and • Allowing students to commence training and
assessment in a training product that has assessment in a training product that has
expired, been removed or deleted from the expired, been removed or deleted from the
National Register. National Register.
Self-assurance questions
1 How do you verify that a student has been assessed as competent in all requirements of a training
product before they are issued AQF documentation?
2 Do you have systems and registers that contain the required data to be able to reissue AQF
certification documentation over a thirty (30) year period?
3 Are there any upgrades or adjustments you need to make to your RTO’s documentation retention
systems to ensure that all student assessments will be safely and securely stored, in accordance
with legislated privacy obligations, for a period of two (2) years after the student’s completion of a
training product?
4 How do you know whether your third-party providers are adhering to the AQF Qualifications
Issuance Policy and NRT Logo Conditions of Use Policy?
5 What systems and processes do you have in place to protect the privacy of students’ personal
information, including their Unique Student Identifier?
6 How do you ensure you are utilising the NRT logo in accordance with all the various requirements
of the Conditions of Use policy?
7 When a training product is superseded, how do you ensure students transfer to the replacement
training product in a timely manner, as relevant to the organisation’s operations, the training
product being delivered and the student cohort?
8 How do you inform your VET students about a newly released replacement training product and
what the implications are for them?
Source: ASQA Practice Guide — Integrity of Nationally Recognised Training Products. Published 17 June 2025, Version 1.0. Authority: Australian Skills Quality Authority. These guides interpret the Standards for RTOs 2025 into practical compliance guidance. The PDF was extracted with pdftotext -layout to preserve the two-column table structure of the original document.