🚨 Annual Declaration on Compliance (ADC) is now open — this year carries real risk.

From 3 - 31 March, CEOs of RTOs regulated by Australian Skills Quality Authority must submit their Annual Declaration on Compliance.

This is the first ADC against the Standards for RTOs 2025 and is directly relevant to Compliance Requirement – Accountability.

When the CEO clicks submit, they are confirming that the organisation has:

✔ Transitioned to SRTO 2025

 ✔ Implemented the new requirements

 ✔ Is operating in compliance with those obligations

This is a legal declaration under the NVR Act.

If you have not conducted a mock audit or structured internal review since transitioning…

How do you know your RTO is actually compliant with SRTO 2025?

⚠ Common issues I continue to see:

 🔸 Delivery locations changed but not updated

 🔸 Former employees still listed as managerial agents

 🔸 No internal audit conducted against SRTO 2025

 🔸 CEO unfamiliar with expanded obligations under the new Standards

 🔸 Staff completing the ADC without final CEO authentication

 🔸 Third-party arrangements not reviewed prior to declaration

🚩 High-risk ADC practices that create exposure:

❌ Submitting the ADC without verifying compliance against each obligation

❌ Not ensuring CEO has personally authenticated and reviewed responses

❌ Not monitoring and reviewing evidence to confirm third parties are compliant

❌ Declaring full compliance despite internally identified non-compliances (failure to disclose)

Compliance Tips for strong governance:

✔ Using the ADC as a structured compliance reflection exercise

 ✔ Conducting an internal audit before submission

 ✔ Verifying compliance across the entire scope of registration

 ✔ Reviewing third-party evidence before declaring compliance

 ✔ Disclosing self-identified non-compliances and rectification actions

 ✔ Retaining evidence to support every answer

 ✔ CEO personally reviewing and submitting the declaration

If ASQA commenced a performance assessment tomorrow — could you defend every answer in your ADC with evidence?

The risk is not identifying non-compliances and declaring compliance without knowing.

Need Help? 

If you’re unsure whether your systems would withstand scrutiny under SRTO 2025 or need a solution and governance check — compliance@rtostandards2025.com.au