Trainers and assessors in vocational education and training (VET) bring two kinds of skill to the job: skill in their own industry, and skill in training and assessing adults. The 2025 Standards for RTOs set requirements for both. The training and assessment credential The Credential Policy is one of the three parts of the 2025 Standards for RTOs, alongside the Outcome Standards and the Compliance Standards. It sets out the credentials needed to deliver training and assessment and to take part in validation. To deliver training and assessment without direction, including making assessment judgements, the Credential Policy lists credentials that include: TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or its successor the earlier TAE40116 or TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment a diploma or higher level qualification in adult education or vocational education and training a secondary teaching qualification together with one of the assessor or VET for school students skill sets named in the policy The policy also lists credentials for people who conduct assessment only, and arrangements for people who are actively working towards a credential. A person working towards TAE40122 or the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, and making satisfactory progress to finish within two years of starting, can deliver training and contribute to assessment under the direction of a credentialled trainer, but cannot make assessment judgements. Separate, higher requirements apply to people who deliver qualifications and skill sets from the TAE Training Package itself. Read the policy for the full list before choosing a course. Industry skills and currency ASQA's Trainer and Assessor Competencies Practice Guide says people delivering training or assessment need industry competencies, skills and knowledge relevant to, and at least to the level of, the training product they deliver, and need to keep an understanding of current industry practice. In practice this means holding the unit or qualification you teach, or equivalent skills, and keeping up with how the work is done now. Ways to stay current include working in the industry part time, workplace visits, industry events and short courses. Professional development as a trainer The same guide expects RTOs to show that trainers and assessors take part in continuing professional development in training and assessment. Examples it gives include courses and workshops, learning networks, validation and moderation activities, mentoring arrangements and reading VET publications. Where trainers and assessors work private RTOs TAFE institutes enterprise RTOs that train their own staff community and adult education providers schools delivering VET to students industry bodies and employers running workplace training Many trainers start part time while still working in their industry, which also helps them keep their industry skills current. Steps to get started Confirm you hold the industry qualification and experience for the units you want to teach. Choose a training and assessment credential from the Credential Policy that suits your goals. Build a record of your industry currency and professional development from the start. Look for roles where you can work under direction while you finish your credential, if that suits your situation. ASQA's guidance applies to RTOs ASQA regulates. RTOs regulated by VRQA in Victoria or TAC in Western Australia should also check their own regulator's requirements. RTOs delivering the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment need materials for its units. You can browse TAE Training Package materials by unit code.
