How RTOs Can Learn and Act from ASQA’s Corporate Plan 2024-25

The ASQA Corporate Plan 2024-25 sets a new vision for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. As an RTO leader, CEO, or director, it’s crucial to understand how this plan impacts your operations and how you can align your RTO with its strategic goals.

In this blog, we break down the core elements of the corporate plan and offer actionable steps your RTO can take to stay compliant, ensure quality, and drive continuous improvement.

What the ASQA Corporate Plan Means for Your RTO

ASQA’s Corporate Plan 2024-25 focuses on building a robust, high-quality VET sector that delivers trusted qualifications, supports learners, and meets industry needs. There are three key priorities that every RTO should take note of:

1. Improving Self-Assurance
2. Promoting Continuous Improvement
3. Strengthening Regulatory Effectiveness

Let’s dive deeper into each priority and how your RTO can act on these.

1. Focus on Self-Assurance: Taking Ownership of Compliance

ASQA’s Corporate Plan places heavy emphasis on self-assurance. This means your RTO should no longer see compliance as just meeting minimum requirements but instead taking ownership of quality and continuous improvement.

What RTOs Can Do:

• Build a Culture of Self-Review: Ensure your staff regularly review their performance and training processes. A commitment to self-assessment helps identify gaps before an audit occurs.
• Regular Compliance Audits: Conduct internal audits quarterly, focusing on compliance, quality, and learner outcomes. This allows you to catch issues early and create action plans for rectification.
• Empower Trainers and Staff: Educate your staff about the importance of compliance and self-assurance. Empower them to make decisions that lead to improved quality and learner outcomes.

2. Continuous Improvement: Moving Beyond Compliance

The Corporate Plan emphasizes the need for RTOs to demonstrate continuous improvement. This isn’t just about maintaining compliance—it’s about making sure your RTO is continuously evolving to provide better outcomes for learners, staff, and industry stakeholders.

What RTOs Can Do:

• Set Improvement Targets: Identify areas where your RTO can improve, such as trainer competency, learner support, or governance. Set measurable targets and regularly track progress.
• Feedback Loops: Actively seek feedback from learners, trainers, and industry partners to understand where your services can improve. Build these insights into your continuous improvement plan.
• Professional Development for Staff: Invest in your trainers and administrative staff by providing regular professional development opportunities. By keeping your staff’s skills and knowledge up-to-date, your RTO will be better positioned to meet new challenges.

3. Strengthening Regulatory Effectiveness: Stay Ahead of Changes

ASQA is improving its regulatory effectiveness by focusing on risk-based regulation and strengthening collaboration with RTOs. This means that RTOs need to be ready for more data-driven audits and have a clear governance framework in place.

What RTOs Can Do:

• Prepare for Risk-Based Audits: Stay ahead by conducting risk assessments of your RTO’s operations. Identify areas where non-compliance could occur and put mitigation strategies in place.
• Develop Strong Governance: Ensure your RTO’s leadership is actively engaged in compliance management. Set up governance committees or assign compliance officers to regularly review regulatory updates and changes.
• Keep Up with Legislative Changes: Stay informed about legislative updates, like the Draft Revised Standards for RTOs. The ASQA Corporate Plan highlights the need for RTOs to adapt to new legislative instruments—start now by reading through the standards and preparing your team.

Key Focus Areas from the Corporate Plan 2024-25

1. Quality and Trust in Qualifications:

The plan highlights the need for RTOs to deliver trusted, quality qualifications. This means ensuring that your training and assessment practices are up to the highest standards and that graduates are equipped with the skills the industry demands.

2. Supporting Learners:

ASQA emphasizes learner support—your RTO must ensure that learners, especially those from diverse backgrounds, are given the tools and resources they need to succeed.

3. Collaboration with Industry and Stakeholders:

To deliver high-quality, relevant training, RTOs must collaborate with industry and other stakeholders. Ensure your RTO is working closely with industry to ensure that your qualifications are aligned with industry needs and expectations.

Actionable Steps for RTOs:

To align with ASQA’s Corporate Plan, here are actionable steps you can take:

1. Conduct a Self-Assessment Audit – Regularly evaluate your training programs, administrative processes, and governance structure to ensure they meet ASQA’s guidelines.
2. Create a Continuous Improvement Plan – Develop a roadmap that outlines how your RTO will improve trainer competency, learner support, and governance practices over the next 12-18 months.
3. Implement Learner-Centered Support Programs – Review your current learner support services and make enhancements to accommodate diverse learning needs and well-being.
4. Engage with Industry Stakeholders – Schedule meetings or form advisory boards with industry leaders to ensure your qualifications remain relevant and trusted.
5. Prepare for Risk-Based Audits – Identify potential areas of non-compliance and mitigate risks through pre-emptive action. Establish a governance framework that monitors risks regularly.

Final Thoughts

The ASQA Corporate Plan 2024-25 sets a clear direction for RTOs to not just comply but thrive in the VET sector by focusing on self-assurance, continuous improvement, and regulatory effectiveness. By aligning your RTO with these priorities, you’ll position your organisation to deliver high-quality training and meet the evolving needs of learners and industry.

Now is the time to act—evaluate your processes, improve your systems, and stay ahead of regulatory changes to ensure your RTO continues to deliver trusted qualifications in a competitive landscape.

Stay Updated!

Want more insights on how to prepare for the new standards? Subscribe to our blog and stay tuned for our upcoming two-part webinar series on the final Draft Revised Standards for RTOs.