Outcome Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations¶

Instrument 2025 · F2025L00354 · Commenced 1 July 2025 · Made by Andrew Giles, Minister for Skills and Training, 28 February 2025

This document is a structured verbatim reproduction of the Outcome Standards instrument. Standard text is copied exactly from the source. Container structure (headings, anchors, frontmatter) is RTOpacks-owned for product use. For explanatory commentary see standards-explanatory.md. For RTOpacks module mapping see compliance-reference.md.

1. Name¶

This instrument is the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025.

2. Commencement¶

The whole of this instrument commenced on 1 July 2025.

3. Authority¶

This instrument is made under subsection 185(1) of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.

4. Definitions¶

The following expressions defined in section 3 of the Act apply: Australian Qualifications Framework, executive officer, high managerial agent, NVR registered training organisation, Standards for VET Accredited Courses.

In this instrument:

accredited short course — a course that leads to a VET statement of attainment accredited by a VET Regulator in accordance with the Standards for VET Accredited Courses or the equivalent requirements in a non-referring state.
Act — the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.
AQF certification documentation — the set of official documents which confirm that an AQF qualification or VET statement of attainment has been issued to an individual by an NVR registered training organisation or any other entity authorised to do so.
AQF qualification — an Australian Qualifications Framework qualification type endorsed in a training package or accredited in a VET accredited course.
assessment — the process by which an NVR registered training organisation, or a third party delivering services on its behalf, collects evidence for the purposes of determining whether a VET student is competent to perform to the standard specified in the training product.
assessment judgement — a determination of whether competency has been achieved by a VET student consistent with the training product and this instrument.
assessment system — a coordinated set of documented policies, procedures and assessment tools designed to ensure that assessment, including recognition of prior learning, produces consistent and valid judgements of VET student competency and meets the requirements of this instrument.
assessment tools — the instrument, instructions and methods used to gather and interpret assessment evidence for the purposes of determining VET student competency, including: the context and conditions of assessment; the tasks to be administered to the VET student; an outline of the assessment evidence to be gathered from the VET student; the criteria used to judge VET student competency.
credit transfer — the process of recognising and awarding credit for prior successful completion of an equivalent unit of competency or module.
direction — includes an individual providing oversight, guidance and quality assurance to ensure the quality of training and assessment being delivered by another individual.
governing person — any person responsible for overseeing, directing, or exercising a degree of control or influence over the management or operation of an NVR registered training organisation, including executive officers and high managerial agents.
mode of delivery — the methods adopted by an NVR registered training organisation to deliver training and assessment to VET students.
reasonable adjustments — any adjustments for a VET student with a disability made by an NVR registered training organisation in a manner consistent with the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
recognition of prior learning — an assessment process that involves assessment of an individual's relevant prior learning and experience (including skills and knowledge obtained through formal and informal learning) to determine the extent to which the individual meets requirements specified in the training product.
services — training and assessment; training support services (but excludes counselling, mediation, and information and communication technology services); and any activities related to the recruitment of VET students including marketing, enrolment, induction, or the collection of fees.
skill set — a single unit of competency or a combination of units of competency from a training package which link to a licensing or regulatory requirement or a defined industry need.
student identifier — has the same meaning as in the Student Identifiers Act 2014.
third party — any person who has an arrangement with an NVR registered training organisation to deliver services, but does not include: employees of the organisation; experts engaged by the organisation; or government agencies and government funded agencies that refer VET students to the organisation and do not receive any payment from the organisation for doing so.
trainer — a person who undertakes training for, or on behalf of an NVR registered training organisation.
training — the process by which an NVR registered training organisation, or a third party delivering services on its behalf, facilitates learning and the acquisition of competencies consistent with the requirements specified in the training product.
training product — an AQF qualification, a skill set, a unit of competency, accredited short course or module.
training support services — services and resources designed to support and skill VET students to meet training product requirements and complete the training product in which they are enrolled.
unit of competency — the specification of the standards of performance required in the workplace as defined in a training product.
validation — the review of the assessment system to ensure that: assessment tools are consistent with the training product and the requirements set out in this instrument; and assessments and assessment judgements are producing consistent outcomes.
wellbeing support services — support services and resources to assist with VET students' physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

5. Effect of this instrument¶

Schedule 1 of this instrument sets out standards for NVR registered training organisations in accordance with subsection 185(1) of the Act. The National VET Regulator must consider whether an applicant is complying, or will comply, with Schedule 1 when determining whether to grant an application for registration under subsection 17(2) of the Act.

Schedule 1 — The Outcome Standards¶

The Outcome Standards are organised into four Parts, each addressing one of the four Outcomes the National VET Regulator expects every NVR registered training organisation to achieve.

Part	Quality Area	Outcome
Part 1	Training and assessment (QA1)	Outcome 1 — quality training and assessment engages VET students and enables them to attain nationally recognised, industry-relevant competencies.
Part 2	VET student support (QA2)	Outcome 2 — VET students are treated fairly and are properly informed, supported and protected.
Part 3	VET workforce (QA3)	Outcome 3 — VET students are trained, assessed and supported by people who are qualified, skilled and committed to professional development.
Part 4	Governance (QA4)	Outcome 4 — effective governance and a commitment to continuous improvement supports the quality and integrity of VET delivery.

Part 1 — Training and assessment¶

Quality Area 1. Addresses Outcome 1: quality training and assessment engages VET students and enables them to attain nationally recognised, industry-relevant competencies.

Division 1 — Training¶

Standard 1.1¶

Outcome. Training is engaging, well-structured and enables VET students to attain skills and knowledge consistent with the training product.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

training is consistent with the requirements of the training product;
the modes of delivery enable VET students to attain skills and knowledge consistent with the training product;
training is structured and paced to support VET students to progress, providing sufficient time for instruction, practice, feedback and assessment;
training techniques, activities and resources engage VET students and support their understanding; and
where the training product requires work placements or other community-based learning, necessary skills and knowledge are able to be attained in that environment.

Standard 1.2¶

Outcome. Engagement with industry, employer and community representatives effectively informs the industry relevance of training offered by the NVR registered training organisation.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

how it identifies relevant industry, employer and community representatives and seeks meaningful advice and feedback from those representatives;
it uses relevant advice and feedback to inform changes to training and assessment strategies and practices; and
training reflects current industry practice.

Division 2 — Assessment¶

Standard 1.3¶

Outcome. The assessment system is fit-for-purpose and consistent with the training product.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

the assessment is consistent with the requirements of the training product;
assessment tools are reviewed prior to use to ensure assessment can be conducted in a way that is consistent with the principles of assessment and rules of evidence set out under Standard 1.4; and
the outcomes of any such reviews inform any necessary changes to assessment tools.

Standard 1.4¶

Outcome. The assessment system ensures assessment is conducted in a way that is fair and appropriate and enables accurate assessment judgement of VET student competency.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

the assessment system facilitates assessment which must be conducted in accordance with the following principles of assessment:
fairness — assessment accommodates the needs of the VET student, including implementing reasonable adjustments where appropriate and enabling reassessment where necessary;
flexibility — assessment is appropriate to the context, training product and VET student, and assesses the VET student's skills and knowledge that are relevant to the training product, regardless of how or where the VET student has acquired those skills or that knowledge;
validity — assessment includes practical application components that enable the VET student to demonstrate the relevant skills and knowledge in a practical setting; and
reliability — assessment evidence is interpreted consistently by assessors and the outcomes of assessment are comparable irrespective of which assessor is conducting the assessment.
assessors make individual assessment judgements that are justified based on the following rules of evidence:
validity — assessment evidence is adequate, such that the assessor can be reasonably assured that the VET student possesses the skills and knowledge described in the training product;
sufficiency — the quality, quantity and relevance of the assessment evidence enables the assessor to make an informed judgement of the VET student's competency in the skills and knowledge described in the training product;
authenticity — the assessor is assured that a VET student's assessment evidence is the original and genuine work of that VET student; and
currency — the assessment evidence presented to the assessor documents and demonstrates the VET student's current skills and knowledge.

Standard 1.5¶

Outcome. The assessment system is quality assured by appropriately skilled and credentialled persons through a regular process of validating assessment practices and judgements.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it utilises a risk-based approach — informed by any risks to training outcomes, any changes to the training product or any feedback from VET students, trainers, assessors, and industry — to determine:
the components of the assessment system for a training product which are to be validated; and
the sample size of assessments that are to be validated in respect of a particular training product.
in addition to the requirements above, the assessment system for an AQF qualification or skill set from the Training and Education Training Package that enables individuals to make assessment judgements (as specified in the Credential Policy) has been or will be validated:
once the first cohort of VET students with the organisation have completed their training and assessment; and
by a person who is independent, not employed or subcontracted by the organisation to provide training and assessment, and has no other involvement or interest in the organisation's operations.
validation is undertaken by one or more people who collectively have:
industry competencies, skills and knowledge relevant to the training product;
a practical understanding of current industry practices relevant to the training product; and
one of the credentials for validation specified in the Credential Policy.
the outcome of an assessment validation is not solely determined by a person who has designed or delivered the training or assessment; and
how outcomes of an assessment validation are used to inform changes to the assessment system.

Division 3 — Recognition of prior learning and credit transfer¶

Standard 1.6¶

Outcome. VET students with prior skills, knowledge and competencies are supported to seek recognition of prior learning to progress through the relevant training product.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

VET students are offered opportunities to seek recognition of prior learning and are made aware of the organisation's policies for seeking recognition of prior learning;
decisions relating to recognition of prior learning are based on evidence of prior skills, learning and experience, and are undertaken in accordance with the organisation's assessment system; and
decisions relating to recognition of prior learning are documented and decided in a way that is fair, transparent, consistent amongst VET students, and maintains the integrity of the training product.

Standard 1.7¶

Outcome. VET students who have completed an equivalent training product are supported to obtain a credit transfer.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

VET students are offered opportunities to seek credit transfer and are made aware of the organisation's policies for seeking credit transfer;
decisions relating to credit transfer are based on evidence of prior completion of an equivalent training product demonstrated by AQF certification documentation or an authenticated VET transcript (unless prevented by licensing or regulatory requirements of the training product); and
decisions relating to credit transfer are documented and decided in a way that is fair, transparent, consistent amongst VET students, and maintains the integrity of the training product.

Division 4 — Facilities, resources and equipment¶

Standard 1.8¶

Outcome. Facilities, resources and equipment for each training product are fit-for-purpose, safe, accessible and sufficient.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

how it identifies the facilities, resources and equipment required to deliver the training product, including how it identifies which facilities, resources and equipment will be provided by third parties, instead of the organisation;
where facilities, resources and equipment are provided by the organisation or third parties — how the organisation ensures:
that the facilities, resources and equipment are, and will continue to be suitable and safe for use by VET students; and
that VET students have access to the facilities, resources and equipment they need to participate in the training and assessment relevant to the training product; and
it has documented strategies and procedures in place to identify and manage risks associated with VET students using facilities, resources and equipment when undertaking work-integrated learning, work placements, or other community-based learning as part of their training.

Part 2 — VET student support¶

Quality Area 2. Addresses Outcome 2: VET students are treated fairly and are properly informed, supported and protected.

Division 1 — Information¶

Standard 2.1¶

Outcome. VET students have access to clear and accurate information concerning the organisation, the relevant training product, and students are made aware of any changes that may affect them.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

all information provided to VET students by the organisation or any third parties is clear, accurate and current;
how it identifies which information VET students require prior to their enrolment and how that information is communicated to VET students prior to their enrolment;
the following information is easily accessible by VET students:
the training product code and title, duration, modes of delivery, training delivery location, training commencement dates, scheduling, any requirements to commence or complete the training product including assessment requirements, whether any licencing or occupational licence requirements apply, and details of any third party arrangements that apply to the delivery of the training;
the training support services and wellbeing support services that are available to the VET student, and how the student can access those services;
all fees, costs and charges associated with the provision of the training product which VET students may incur, including payment terms and conditions, any applicable refund policies and the availability of any relevant government training entitlements and subsidies; and
any obligations or liabilities which may be imposed on VET students undertaking the training product, including any obligations requiring VET students to acquire any materials, equipment or IT, any costs and processes associated with withdrawing from training, any costs and processes associated with obtaining a Student Identifier, and any requirements for VET students to undertake work placements;
the organisation provides all VET students with documentation prior to their enrolment or before any fees are required to be paid which sets out:
the training which the organisation or third parties will provide the VET student;
all fees, costs and charges which the VET student will be required to pay; and
any obligations or liabilities which may be imposed by the organisation or third parties on the VET student; and
that it informs VET students, as soon as practicable, of any changes to training products or the organisation's operations that may affect VET students, including any changes relating to the transition of superseded, deleted, or expired training products.

Standard 2.2¶

Outcome. VET students receive information regarding the delivery and assessment of their training product and are made aware of changes that may affect them.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates that, during the VET student's training and assessment:

the VET student is informed of the training to be delivered by the organisation and third parties, the modes of delivery, the locations of delivery, training schedules, any work placement requirements, any payments required to the organisation, third parties, or any other entities;
the VET student is informed of the assessment and assessment requirements associated with the training product; and
the VET student is informed of any changes to any of the above matters as soon as practicable.

Division 2 — Training support¶

Standard 2.3¶

Outcome. VET students receive training support services that enable them to meet the requirements of their training product.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

prior to or on enrolment, it identifies the training support needs of individual VET students, including the capabilities required for the VET student to complete the training product, their learning needs, and any other support needs, including language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills;
it provides VET students with training support services that are appropriate and responsive to the VET students' individual training support needs;
it enables VET students to access the training support services that they require; and
it monitors and reviews whether training support services are meeting the needs of VET students.

Standard 2.4¶

Outcome. VET students' training and assessment is delivered in safe, inclusive environments that support learning.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it identifies hazards and risks that could affect the safety and wellbeing of VET students whilst undertaking training and assessment, including any hazards and risks associated with work placements and other community-based learning;
it takes steps to eliminate or minimise those hazards and risks, so far as is reasonably practicable;
it maintains learning environments that are free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, and victimisation; and
it has documented policies and procedures to respond to concerns and complaints from VET students relating to the matters above.

Division 3 — Diversity and inclusion¶

Standard 2.5¶

Outcome. The diversity of VET students is understood, valued and reflected in the delivery of training and assessment.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

how it identifies the diverse backgrounds, circumstances, and learning needs of its VET students;
it delivers training and assessment in ways that are culturally safe, inclusive, and respectful;
it makes reasonable adjustments to training and assessment where needed to support VET students with disability, consistent with the Disability Standards for Education 2005; and
its staff are supported to develop and maintain knowledge and skills relevant to delivering inclusive training and assessment.

Division 4 — Wellbeing¶

Standard 2.6¶

Outcome. VET students are supported to access wellbeing support services relevant to their needs.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it informs VET students of the wellbeing support services available to them, whether provided by the organisation or by external providers, and how to access them;
it monitors the effectiveness of arrangements to support VET student wellbeing; and
staff engaged in training, assessment and support are aware of how to refer VET students to wellbeing support services.

Division 5 — Feedback, complaints and appeals¶

Standard 2.7¶

Outcome. VET students can provide feedback, make complaints and appeal decisions through processes that are accessible, fair and timely.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it has documented policies and procedures for managing feedback, complaints and appeals, which are accessible to VET students and staff;
complaints and appeals are dealt with fairly, consistently and in a timely manner;
VET students are informed of their right to access external avenues for complaints and appeals where internal processes do not resolve the matter; and
feedback, complaints and appeals are used to inform continuous improvement of the organisation's services.

Standard 2.8¶

Outcome. The organisation protects VET students' personal information consistent with applicable privacy laws.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

VET students are informed about what personal information is collected, how it will be used, and with whom it will be shared;
personal information is collected, held, used, and disclosed in a manner consistent with applicable privacy laws; and
VET students are able to access and correct their personal information held by the organisation.

Part 3 — VET workforce¶

Quality Area 3. Addresses Outcome 3: VET students are trained, assessed and supported by people who are qualified, skilled and committed to professional development.

Division 1 — VET workforce management¶

Standard 3.1¶

Outcome. The VET workforce is managed to support the quality and integrity of training and assessment.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it has workforce planning arrangements that ensure it has sufficient trainers, assessors and other staff to deliver training and assessment consistent with this instrument;
its workforce is supported through induction, professional development and performance management arrangements;
it supports trainers and assessors to maintain currency in their vocational competencies, industry skills and knowledge, and training and assessment practice; and
it maintains records of the credentials, vocational competencies, and currency of each trainer and assessor.

Division 2 — Trainer and assessor competencies¶

Standard 3.2¶

Outcome. Trainers and assessors are credentialled, competent in the training products they deliver, current in industry practice, and maintain currency in training and assessment.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

each trainer and assessor holds the credentials for the training or assessment activity they undertake as specified in the Credential Policy;
each trainer and assessor has vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered or assessed, as evidenced by a qualification, skill set, or demonstrated equivalent;
each trainer and assessor maintains current knowledge and skills in the vocational area of the training they deliver or the assessment they undertake;
each trainer and assessor maintains current training and assessment knowledge and skills through ongoing professional development; and
where a trainer or assessor does not hold the full credentials specified in the Credential Policy, they deliver training and assessment under the direction of a trainer or assessor who does.

Standard 3.3¶

Outcome. Where experts are engaged to support delivery of training and assessment, their involvement is appropriately scoped and supervised.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

experts are only authorised to work under the direction of a person with the appropriate credentials to provide direction on the delivery of training and assessment, as specified in the Credential Policy;
where the expert is involved in assessment judgement — they conduct the assessment alongside the trainer or assessor; and
the training or assessment the expert is involved in delivering is subject to oversight by the organisation.

Part 4 — Governance¶

Quality Area 4. Addresses Outcome 4: effective governance and a commitment to continuous improvement supports the quality and integrity of VET delivery.

Division 1 — Leadership and accountability¶

Standard 4.1¶

Outcome. An NVR registered training organisation operates with integrity and maintains accountability for the delivery of quality services.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

the organisation and its governing persons are fit and proper persons, having regard to the Fit and Proper Person Requirements made under section 186 of the Act, as in force from time to time;
its governing persons are suitable persons to oversee the operation of the organisation;
its governing persons act diligently and make informed decisions which facilitate compliance with this instrument and any other instrument made under section 185 of the Act, as in force from time to time; and
its governing persons lead a culture of integrity, fairness and transparency in the organisation's delivery of services.

Standard 4.2¶

Outcome. Roles and responsibilities of NVR registered training organisation staff and third parties are clearly defined and understood.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it supports staff members to understand the components of this instrument and any other instrument made under section 185 of the Act, as in force from time to time, which are relevant to each staff members' role as an employee of the organisation;
it informs staff members of any changes to regulatory or legislative requirements that may affect the organisation's delivery of services;
it has a system in place for ensuring any third parties meet the requirements of this instrument and any other instrument made under section 185 of the Act, as in force from time to time, and are aware of their obligations under these instruments; and
the roles and responsibilities of persons engaged by the organisation are well-understood and documented, ensuring accountable decision-making.

Division 2 — Risk management¶

Standard 4.3¶

Outcome. Any risks to VET students, staff and the organisation itself are identified and managed.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it identifies, manages and reviews risks to VET students, staff and the organisation;
how the financial position, financial performance and cashflows of the organisation are managed, monitored and understood by governing persons (noting that under section 24 of the Act, NVR registered training organisations must also comply with the Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements made under section 158 of the Act);
it has a system for identifying, managing and disclosing any real or apparent conflicts of interest; and
where it offers training or assessment to VET students aged under 18 — risks to their safety and wellbeing associated with the organisation's delivery of the training or assessment are identified and managed:
by having regard to the training content and modes of delivery; and
in accordance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, as in force from time to time.

Division 3 — Continuous improvement¶

Standard 4.4¶

Outcome. An NVR registered training organisation undertakes systematic monitoring and evaluation of the organisation to support quality delivery and the continuous improvement of services.

Performance Indicators. An NVR registered training organisation demonstrates:

it has a system in place for monitoring and evaluating its performance with the requirements set out in this instrument and any other instrument made under section 185 of the Act, as in force from time to time;
how outcomes derived from monitoring and evaluating its performance are used to inform continuous improvement; and
it has mechanisms in place to lawfully collect and analyse data including any feedback received from VET students, staff, industry, VET regulators, State and Territory training authorities and employers of current or former VET students.

Summary — all standards at a glance¶

ID	Quality Area	Division	One-line
1.1	QA1 Training & assessment	Training	Training is engaging and well-structured
1.2	QA1	Training	Industry engagement informs training relevance
1.3	QA1	Assessment	Assessment system is fit-for-purpose
1.4	QA1	Assessment	Assessment is fair and valid (principles + rules of evidence)
1.5	QA1	Assessment	Assessment validation on a risk-based cycle
1.6	QA1	RPL/CT	RPL supported
1.7	QA1	RPL/CT	Credit transfer supported
1.8	QA1	Facilities	Facilities fit-for-purpose, safe, accessible
2.1	QA2 Student support	Information	Pre-enrolment information clear and accurate
2.2	QA2	Information	In-training information about delivery and assessment
2.3	QA2	Training support	Training support meets student needs
2.4	QA2	Training support	Safe, inclusive learning environments
2.5	QA2	Diversity & inclusion	Diversity valued and reflected
2.6	QA2	Wellbeing	Wellbeing support services accessible
2.7	QA2	Feedback	Feedback, complaints, appeals — accessible and fair
2.8	QA2	Feedback	Privacy protection
3.1	QA3 Workforce	Management	Workforce planning and records
3.2	QA3	Competencies	Trainer/assessor credentials, vocational competency, currency
3.3	QA3	Competencies	Expert engagement under supervision
4.1	QA4 Governance	Leadership	Integrity and accountability of governing persons
4.2	QA4	Leadership	Roles and responsibilities clearly defined
4.3	QA4	Risk	Risk identified and managed (incl. under-18s)
4.4	QA4	CI	Continuous improvement

Source: National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations) Instrument 2025 — F2025L00354. Authorised under subsection 185(1) of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. Commenced 1 July 2025.