Quality assurance within Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector is a priority, and registered training organisations (RTOs) like yours are tasked with upholding rigorous standards and meeting regulatory requirements. At the centre of this endeavour is the annual declaration on compliance, which contributes to the integrity of the nationwide VET system.
Understanding the Annual Declaration on Compliance
The ASQA annual declaration on compliance is a formal requirement for RTOs in Australia. Its primary objective is to affirm each organisation’s compliance with the Standards for all certifications issued within the preceding 12 months. Your annual declaration on compliance confirms the following:
- The maintenance of current and accurate records.
- The consistent monitoring and fulfilment of regulatory obligations.
- The proactive identification and mitigation of risks.
We recommend referring to Clause 8.4 of the Standards for a comprehensive understanding of reporting obligations.
Checking Submission Deadlines for Your RTO’s Annual Declaration on Compliance
Each RTO’s chief executive officer (CEO) receives an annual invitation to submit their annual declaration on compliance. ASQA sends an email containing a unique web link for online submission. It is imperative to ensure that all details on training.gov.au and asqanet are updated to meet the deadline.
To help RTOs stay ahead of submission deadlines, ASQA issues various reminders through emails, website notifications, and update newsletter mentions. Failure to comply with the submission deadline may result in regulatory action.
For newly registered training providers, the submission requirement depends on the initial registration commencement date. If you have registered by December 31st of the preceding year, the annual declaration on compliance is a must.
Preparing Your RTO: Declaration of Compliance Checklist
To ensure a seamless and punctual submission, follow this checklist.
- Validate the accuracy and currency of your ASQA records.
- Update your provider information on asqanet if necessary.
- Proactively monitor compliance and promptly initiate the declaration process.
- Evaluate operations against the Standards and registration requisites.
- Confirm adherence to regulatory requirements.
- Submit the compliance declaration form by the due date, as late submissions will be subject to approval.
Utilising ASQA’s Self-Assessment Tool
ASQA recommends using their self-assessment tool to help check regulatory requirements and operational protocol against standards. It will also help with risk assessment and management. While not a substitute for the annual declaration on compliance, this tool will supplement your preparation process.
Completing Your Compliance Declaration Form
Take note of the following steps to complete your declaration form:
- Review, edit, and save information as you fill in the form.
- Validate all information before submission; you can only submit the form once.
- Keep a copy of your answers immediately after submission.
Note that the declaration form cannot be accessed or edited further once submitted. To ensure that your submission is successful, revisit the original email and click on the provided web link. If your submission was successful, you will receive a confirmation email.
If your CEO doesn’t receive a unique web link, take the following steps during the ASQA annual declaration submission period:
- Check the spam and junk mail folders.
- Verify the email address listed in training.gov.au and update it on asqanet if necessary. Reach out to the ASQA Info Line to request that they resend the email.
- Contact the ASQA Info Line for further assistance.
Each RTO’s annual declaration on compliance contributes to nationwide efforts to uphold VET quality. Through prompt and accurate submissions, your organisation does its part to maintain the efficacy and integrity of the training system.
