For those of us in the Group Training Organisation (GTO) sector, compliance is a necessary and expected part of operating within a regulated industry. However, the process we are subjected to across multiple states has become nothing short of an administrative marathon. One that adds significant burden without any tangible benefit.
Despite the National Standards for Group Training Organisations being exactly that, national, each state in Australia insists on conducting its own audit for re-registration, with one exception, the ACT, which at least acknowledges the audit findings from NSW.
In the past few months alone, Apprenticeships Are Us Ltd has successfully undergone state-based audits in NSW, South Australia, and Western Australia. Now, despite these rigorous assessments confirming our compliance, we find ourselves subjected to yet another re-registration audit in a different state, based on the exact same standards we have already been audited against three times!
At what point do we acknowledge that this level of duplication is not quality assurance but an unnecessary administrative burden?
The process has become ridiculous, consuming valuable resources that could be better spent supporting apprentices, host employers, and workforce development.
It’s time for policymakers and regulators to consider practical reforms that reduce pointless duplication while maintaining the integrity of the standards. A truly national approach to auditing national standards seems like a logical step forward.
What are your thoughts? How can we advocate for a more streamlined approach?
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