RTO complaints in your RTO are not the worst thing that can happen. Sometimes you could consider them as negative and unwelcome, and they certainly can create stress a bad feeling. Consider you complaints as an opportunity to put things right and learn for the future too. It is the way you look at them that counts.
Your RTO Success comes from the effort of you and your team. Recently I was reading an article written by a fellow consultant about the new Trainer and Assessor TAE requirements.
When you decide to become an RTO there is allot for you to consider. RTO set up is no longer an easy process where you decide to have an RTO, apply the next day, become registered in a few months, and start your business.
RTO Leaders must lead with transparency, consistency, take action to create stability within the business and continue to deliver quality services despite the level of disruptive change.
RTO Registration is the first step to provide accredited training and assessment services aligned with industry needs. Establishing a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is a significant endeavour. It’s about creating a business entity; it’s about ensuring compliance with standards, providing quality training, seeking training needs with stakeholders, and navigating complex regulatory frameworks. For this reason so many aspiring RTO owners find the process to be daunting, filled with uncertainty and confusion. At RTO Mentor, we’ve listened closely to the challenges our clients face when embarking on the journey to register an RTO. Overwhelmingly, we’ve heard four common concerns echoed time and time again: Addressing these concerns head-on, RTO Mentor offers a comprehensive solution designed to simplify the journey to RTO registration. Establishing a Registered Training Organisation is not just about providing education; it’s about empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to shape their futures and contribute meaningfully to society. Merinda Smith Our approach is built on three pillars: 1. Efficient Registration – With RTO Mentor, the registration process becomes streamlined and expedited. We provide clear guidance and support every step of the way, ensuring that clients know exactly what is required and how to proceed. We empower people to manage the process allowing them to take ownership of the day-to-day compliance which fosters a sense of accountability and responsibility. 2. Comprehensive Support – From gathering & reviewing evidence to re-developed compliance documentation, RTO Mentor offers comprehensive support to meet all registration requirements. Our RTO consultants brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, guiding clients through the process with confidence and ease. 3. Ongoing Compliance Management – Registering an RTO is just the beginning; maintaining compliance is an ongoing commitment. With RTO Mentor, clients gain access to a suite of tools and resources designed to simplify compliance management. From audit preparation to continuous improvement initiatives, we help clients stay on track and meet regulatory standards. RTO Mentor is more than just an RTO registration service they care about your business and it’s sustainability. The registration aspect of your RTO is just the beginning. We believe it is a journey of leadership, guiding others to excel while under our guidance, and when we are not there. We’re a partner in your journey to becoming a quality training organisation in vocational education. With our efficient, and effective approach, we make the process of starting and maintaining an RTO easier than ever before. Merinda Smith CEO / Founder If you’re not having fun with what you’re doing then you’re doing it wrong Spend 30 minutes discussing your RTO Book In Now
I’ve spent over 20 years working inside the RTO sector. Setting up organisations, managing compliance, managing staff, coaching leaders, and right now, working inside an RTO delivering TAE40122. That’s a lot of time in a lot of rooms with a lot of RTO owners and CEOs. And there are things I see consistently, across organisations of every size, that I’ve begun to realise almost nobody talks about openly. Not at industry events. Not in the trade publications. Not even between peers. So, I’m going to talk about them here. 1. Most RTO leaders are deeply isolated Running an RTO can be a lonely job. You’re responsible for compliance, staff, students, funding, strategy, and culture and in my experience, this often all lands at once, especially in smaller RTOs. Some leaders still love the training side of things too, which adds even more to the load. And yet, who do you actually talk to about it? Most of the leaders I work with don’t have a trusted sounding board. You can’t be fully honest with your team as it would undermine confidence in the business and your own credibility. You can’t always be fully honest with your board or owners as this might look like weakness. LinkedIn is a great place to gather information, but it’s not exactly where you’d post about feeling isolated. And while friends and family want to support you, they often simply don’t understand the world of vocational training. So, you carry it. Quietly. And that isolation, that lack of someone to think out loud with… costs you more than you realise. In your decision-making. In your energy. In your clarity. There is something genuinely powerful about saying a problem out loud. When thoughts stay inside your head, they loop. They grow. They distort. The same concern that felt manageable on Monday can feel overwhelming by Friday – and it is not because it got bigger, but because it’s been circling without anywhere to land. The moment you speak it out loud to someone who is genuinely listening, not someone who needs reassurance from you, not someone with a stake in the outcome, something shifts. The problem becomes smaller. The path forward becomes clearer. And you realise that what felt tangled and impossible in your own head is actually something you can work through. This isn’t just good for your business. It’s good for your mental health. The weight that RTO leaders carry in silence is real – and it accumulates. Having a space where you can be honest, think out loud, and not have to manage how you’re perceived is not a luxury. For a leader operating at your level, it’s a necessity. 2. Busyness is being mistaken for progress This one is uncomfortable to say, but I’ll say it anyway: being busy is not the same as moving forward. I see RTO leaders who are genuinely working themselves into the ground – early mornings, late nights, weekends – and yet their organisation isn’t growing. Or it’s growing, but they’re not – which ultimately puts more pressure on the leader. The hamster wheel is spinning faster, but the destination hasn’t changed. Busyness can actually be a way of avoiding the harder, more important questions. Questions like: What do I actually want this business to look like in three years? Am I building something sustainable, or just surviving? Is the way I’m working right now something I can keep doing? When you’re flat out, those questions feel like luxuries. But they’re not. They’re the whole point. But there’s something deeper going on too. This is what I’m seeing and hearing. For many RTO leaders, busyness isn’t just a symptom of having too much to do. It’s a way of maintaining control. If you’re the one doing everything, nothing can go wrong without you knowing about it. Delegating feels risky. What if someone does it differently to how you would? What if they get it wrong? It’s easier, and often faster to just do it yourself. And then there’s the identity piece, which is even harder to sit with. When you’ve built something from the ground up, being busy can feel like proof that you matter – that you’re needed, that you’re contributing. The idea of slowing down, of stepping back, can quietly raise an uncomfortable question: if I’m not doing all of this, then who am I in this business? Both of these patterns – control and identity – are completely understandable. But unchecked, they take a serious toll on your mental health. Chronic busyness without space to think, reflect, or simply breathe doesn’t just slow your business down. It wears you down. And leaders who are worn down don’t make good decisions, don’t show up well for their teams, and don’t enjoy what they’ve built. That’s a high price to pay for staying in control. 3. What you think is happening and what’s actually happening are often two very different things This is perhaps the most consistent thing I’ve observed across my entire career — and it still surprises me every time. You believe your team is across compliance. Your team thinks someone else is handling it. You believe your trainers are engaged and delivering quality. Walk the floor and a different picture emerges. You believe the business is on a growth trajectory. The numbers tell a more complicated story. This isn’t about blame. It happens because you’re stretched thin, because your team tells you what they think you want to hear, and because there are simply not enough honest conversations happening at the top. The gap between perception and reality is where most RTO problems are born — and where they quietly grow until they become a crisis. So what do you do with this? I’m not sharing these observations to make you feel uncomfortable — although if something above has landed, that’s worth sitting with. I’m sharing them because these are the exact things that change when you
Who are you listening to? There are many different people saying they are experts. Expert guidance seems to be everywhere. Yet there are pitfalls. We live in a business world of information-saturation. We’re bombarded with opinions, advice, and “expert” guidance from every direction. Social media, podcasts, blogs, and even well-meaning friends and family all contribute to a cacophony of voices telling us how to live, work, and succeed. But in this sea of opinions, whose voice should you really be listening to? I see and have had opinions from so many people – people who want to share their thoughts onto me and that is OK. Now, I don’t make it an issue. Yet when I wasn’t so wise to see it as “their opinion” I did allow it to become an issue. When I was younger, I fell into the trap of trying to please everyone. I listened intently to every piece of advice: “You need to speak more assertively.” “Your appearance isn’t professional enough.” “You’re too young to be taken seriously.” “You need more qualifications before you can succeed.” I tried to conform to these expectations, moulding myself into what I thought others wanted me to be. The result? I found myself running in circles, exhausted and no closer to my goals than when I started. Then I woke up and became conscious. The turning point came when I realised that in trying to please everyone, I had lost touch with the most important voice of all – my own. For me this message was the way to my freedom. To be just me and learn from my own experience. Building Meaningful Connections Getting to know the people you work with is so important. Whether they are industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, students, clients or staff. Try these tips: Understanding Individual Contexts. Take time to learn about each person’s background, goals, and challenges. Tailored Support. Offer guidance that’s relevant to their specific situation and aspirations. Building Trust. Genuine interest and understanding create and encourage trust, making your advice more impactful. Encouraging Self-Reflection. Help others develop their own critical thinking skills rather than just providing answers. Are you listening to people who have no idea as to what it is like to be you? Everyone is unique, we all have different experiences, different ideologies. Therefore others cannot understand what it is like to be uniquely you. They don’t know you ideals, or goals. Other people’s opinions are real, for them. They have not been through your experience. They do not know what your heart says. No one should say that you shouldn’t do whatever it is you want to do. They are judging your life, by their own life. Are we paying attention to people who have no idea what you are about? This is advice you can apply now. Filter the advice. Not all advice is created equal. I learned to consider the source and how it aligned with my values and goals. Trust my instincts. Our gut feelings are often more insightful than we give them credit for. Learn from experience. Instead of relying solely on others’ opinions, I started valuing my own experiences as a source of wisdom. Seek diverse perspectives. While not accepting every opinion, I made an effort to expose myself to diverse viewpoints to broaden my understanding. Seeking Mentors, Not Just Advisors Mentors invest in understanding your unique situation and aspirations. They offer insights based on relevant experience, not just theoretical knowledge. Good mentors recognize and respect your individual journey, offering guidance without imposing their path on you. Unlike advisors who might offer quick fixes, mentors consider your long-term growth and development. For me, the people who I work with, I get to know them. Recognising Limiting Beliefs Have you ever heard someone say: “You don’t have the money” “It’s hard work” “It’s not worth it” “If you earn that much, you’ll be taxed more” These statements often reflect the speaker’s own limitations rather than your potential. Many successful RTO owners and entrepreneurs have achieved their goals by ignoring such naysayers. Be cautious of taking advice from those with poor track records, especially in specialised fields like setting up RTOs. Their experiences may not align with best practices or current industry standards. When receiving advice: Listen actively Consider the source Reflect on how it resonates with your inner wisdom Evaluate its relevance to your specific situation The Fitness Analogy I wouldn’t seek fitness advice from an overweight personal trainer. Similarly, in business, seek guidance from those who embody the success you aspire to achieve. Surrounding Yourself with Inspiration Choose associates who inspire rather than expire you Seek out those who understand and support your vision Align yourself with individuals who represent your aspirational self For those looking to set up an RTO, the support of an experienced RTO mentor is essential. Look for someone who: Has a proven track record Possesses extensive audit experience Understands the current regulatory landscape Can provide practical, actionable advice Making decisions can be challenging, but remember, you are the expert on your own life and business. Seek advice, but trust your instincts Align yourself with those who support your vision Don’t be afraid to seek specialised help when needed When you’re ready to take your RTO journey to the next level, consider working with a mentor who has been there before. We’re here to support you with the experience and knowledge you need to thrive in the RTO sector. Remember, those who truly support your growth will offer guidance that empowers you to make your own informed decisions, rather than trying to make decisions for you. So let me leave you with this knowledge and consider if you are being true to yourself and listening to the people who truly want to support you and your goals. And whilst you’re in this journey, strive to be that kind of supportive presence for others as well. So if you want to work with me, send me a message
Setting up an RTO starts with planning. The foundation of a successful RTO service is really understanding the demographics that the service appeals to. Who are the people you will attract into your RTO? Where do they live, who do they interact with; are they old, young, men, women; do they enjoy certain activities?
It is always a good idea to go out and do your own research and come to your own well evidenced conclusion! Ultimately, mapping should be just one way you are ensuring that your training and assessment are meeting the required standards and ensuring high quality outcomes for your RTO and more importantly, your students! Quality training and assessment leads to quality outcomes.
My philosophy is to mentor and coach people so they can run there RTO without calling me every week. Therefore I will coach you through the process, and not do the process.
Your RTO Success depends on you constantly looking at your business. Working on your business, managing the numbers and reviewing the metrics. Your RTO Success relies on you looking at the following: Maintain your Focus for the Long Term.
Your RTO registration is reliant on 5 key steps. See how ASQA supports you with their checklist.
ASQA has provided a printable checklist to ensure RTO providers can stay current with key 2019 dates.