The Advantages of Studying at an RTO — Your Questions Answered

Today’s work environment can be more competitive, fast-moving and quickly evolving than ever before. Even people who are highly educated in their fields can feel left behind in a sea of exceptional newcomers with fresh and current ideas. 

You can gain some new skills and scratch up on old ones through work experience — it’s natural for people to become more competent in their careers the longer they have them. And employers can often offer a certain degree of professional development and training for their staff. But sometimes, people need to be proactive and help boost their own careers more formally, like studying accredited courses through RTOs. 

The decision to study is an important one. You need to make sure when you take the leap, you undertake quality courses that provide the appropriate and industry-recognised qualifications.

We have a lot of course types to choose from these days, and deciphering the best learning pathway and education provider can be overwhelming. So, what are the differences between private colleges, universities and TAFE vs RTOs (registered training organisations)?

A registered training organisation (RTO) provides nationally recognised VET qualifications through training courses. These training providers are registered by ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority), and to meet the requirements for registration, they must be able to meet rigorous government standards. 

A complete list of registered RTOs can be found here: training.gov.au.

Both VET (Vocational Education and Training) providers and universities offer formal and recognised qualifications, but VET is practical training for careers that usually takes from six months-two years to complete. University degrees (that are a higher-level qualification) take three-four years full-time. Vocational courses are generally far less expensive and offer more targeted learning. 

TAFE and RTOs are the primary providers of VET training in Australia. Both can result in qualifications such as certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas.

TAFE and RTOs are the primary providers of VET training in Australia. Both can result in qualifications such as certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas.

Upskilling for your current career or gaining higher education qualifications to create pathways into new roles can: 

These days, there are pathways and short course options available to you like never before. 

Learners can now identify the specific areas they need growth in and focus study there, or they can take on training to gain a whole new qualification.

Because RTOs are privately owned, champion targeted learning and provide nationally-recognised qualifications, you can find the most suitable course for you and your desired outcomes.

Studying through an RTO means getting the technical and further education  qualifications that are important to you as an individual. RTOs generally provide the following nationally recognised qualifications:

Certificate level training prepares learners for both employment and further education and training. There is no firm duration for certificate qualifications. 

These diploma qualifications take between one and three years to complete and are usually considered equivalent to one to two years of study at a degree level.

To complete a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, you are usually required to have a bachelor’s degree qualification or higher. Occasionally, admission may be accepted if significant and relevant work experience has been achieved. 

Learners can ensure that the course they are looking at is nationally and industry recognised.

One of the easiest ways to determine if a qualification is recognised is by going straight to the Australian Government website training.gov.au. Here they have a search function for courses, providers and occupations so you can check if they are the right ones for you.    

All accredited VET courses have a number assigned to them. This number changes as the qualifications develop and perfect over time. For example, a Certificate III in Animal Care Services has the number ‘ACM30121’ allocated to it. RTOs also each have a provider number allocated by ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority). 

For more information on course types and qualifications, visit training.gov.au. Or search in the bar above for a massive list of courses provided by accredited RTOs. 

In the highly regulated and often confusing world of training courses and qualifications, deciding where to study is extremely important. One thing is for sure, through an accredited RTO, you can find a training path that allows you to achieve your specific goals and gain the industry recognised qualifications you need to progress in your ideal career.

Ready to take the next step in your qualification?