Understanding your ASQA Training and Assessment Strategy: A practical guide for RTOs
Is a Training and Assessment Strategy (TAS) still required under the revised Standards?
The revised Standards for RTOs do not specifically reference a Training and Assessment Strategy (TAS), but that doesn’t mean you can do without one. In fact, creating and maintaining a detailed TAS remains best practice for any RTO that wants to deliver quality training, demonstrate compliance, and prepare for audit.
While the formal requirement may not be explicitly stated, the need to document how you plan, deliver, assess, and support learners remains unchanged — and the TAS is still the clearest and most practical way to do that.
What is a TAS and why should you keep using it?
A Training and Assessment Strategy outlines how your RTO delivers a training product (qualification, unit of competency, skill set or accredited course). It essentially covers who you’re delivering to, how you’ll deliver it, how you’ll assess it, and what resources and staff you’ll use. It also demonstrates your engagement with industry and your responsiveness to learner needs.
While the revised Standards shift toward outcomes-based regulation, maintaining a robust TAS ensures you’re prepared to demonstrate compliance in a transparent and organised way.
What to include in a best practice TAS
Even without a direct reference in the new Standards, a well-structured TAS should still cover:
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Training product information
Include the training product title, code, packaging rules, and delivery location.
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Target learner group
Who are the learners? What are their needs and support requirements?
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Delivery and duration
How and when will the training be delivered? Over what timeframe?
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Assessment methods
Which tools and techniques will be used to assess learners?
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Trainer and assessor credentials
Who will deliver and assess the training, and are they suitably qualified?
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Industry engagement
How has industry input shaped your approach?
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Resources and infrastructure
What resources (physical, digital, human) are required to support delivery and assessment?
Why a TAS still matters in a compliance context
Even without being named in the revised Standards, ASQA will still expect RTOs to demonstrate a clear plan for training delivery, learner support, and assessment quality. The TAS remains the most effective way to consolidate and present this evidence.
A strong TAS shows that your RTO is prepared, professional, and student-centred — qualities that support both compliance and quality outcomes.
Tips for keeping your TAS useful and up to date
- Customise for each training product and cohort
- Reflect actual delivery and assessment practices
- Update regularly after any changes in delivery, staffing, or resources
- Use it as a planning and quality assurance tool, not just a compliance document
Need support with TAS development or review?
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your RTO with strategy development and compliance documentation.
We also offer an off-the-shelf TAS for each qualification we sell learning and assessment resources for – so you can use a quality template with all the core unit information, prompts for customisation, and a layout that reflects current best practice.
Sally is a leading expert in vocational education and training (VET), with over 20 years dedicated to guiding RTO, CRICOS, and ELICOS providers in achieving and maintaining compliance. As a former auditor and a member of the Training Package Quality Assurance Panel, Sally understands the intricate demands of registration, compliance, and quality assurance.
Her commitment to excellence has driven her to develop high-quality learning and assessment resources that empower training organisations to focus on delivering outstanding student outcomes. Known for her keen eye for detail and comprehensive approach, Sally continues to support VET providers and industry stakeholders with unparalleled expertise and progressive insights.
