ASQA RTO Audit Processes - Changes you Must Know
If you are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and you need to know about the changes in the ASQA RTO Audit processes that the regulator will be conducting, read on. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) will be shifting its focus from compliance with internal procedures to outcomes for students.
Since August 2020, providers noticed changes to the way audits were conducted and reported.
The RTO providers saw improvements in a range of ways, including the following:
Changes in - how RTOs deal with minor deficiencies - for example, a minor deficiency is the one:
- that has negligible impact on students
- that does not impact the overall intent or outcome required of the clause
- that can be readily fixed
- that is administrative in nature
- that could occur despite controls being in place
ASQA will request information before the site visit. ASQA will ask an RTO for its TAS, student files and learning resources for the training products to be sampled. This will certainly reduce the stress on the RTO provider during the visit. And, ASQA will have better information on the scope and undertaking of the audit. This way, the process will become more effective and efficient.
If there are any minor deficiencies, the auditor(s) will discuss them with the RTO provider as and when they arise during the audit. The auditor will also seek the provider's agreement to rectify these deficiencies. These minor deficiencies will be recorded in the Audit Report but will not result in non-compliance with the clause.
This is the first stage of changes to how ASQA approaches its audit practice, with further changes to be implemented in early 2021.
If you are a registered training organisation (RTO) currently accredited to undertake vocational education and training (VET) or about to become accredited, you need to be aware of the recent changes to the regulatory environment.
CAQA assists RTOs with internal audits and risk management. We advise you on risk indicators – performance risk indicators contribute to the risk rating for an RTO. Whether it is face to face audit within your RTO or desktop audit, the reports that follow provide you with valuable information to ensure your RTO is compliant.