Course accreditation FAQs

What is course accreditation?

Accredited courses are nationally recognised and are developed to address skill requirements for industry, enterprise, education, legislation or community needs.

For more information about course accreditation submission, see:

What are the benefits of course accreditation?

Accredited courses are nationally recognised and meet quality assurance requirements. Accredited courses provide quality training that develops student skills and knowledge to support employment opportunities or allow students to continue further education and lifelong learning.

Organisations that offer accredited courses are required by law to be registered and regulated. In Australia, state and federal governments work together with industry, public and private training providers so that vocational education and training is consistent across the country.

Accreditation also means that a course may be eligible for:

  • participant or employer financial assistance through various government agencies
  • relief from GST on courses.

Participants in an accredited course may also be eligible:

  • for Austudy, Abstudy and other entitlements
  • to achieve an occupational licensing or regulatory outcome.

For more information, see:

Who can deliver an accredited course?

Accredited courses can only be delivered by RTOs that:

  • own the course or have permission from the course owner to deliver the accredited course
  • have the accredited course on their VET scope of registration.

What types of VET courses can be accredited by the VRQA?

We accredit VET courses that fulfil a training need not addressed by a training package or address training in a new or emerging area.  The course must be supported by industry stakeholders.

We can accredit VET courses for all qualification types recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework that are eligible for delivery within the VET sector, including:

  • Certificate I
  • Certificate II
  • Certificate III
  • Certificate IV
  • Diploma
  • Advanced Diploma
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Graduate Diploma.

We also accredit courses that result in a Statement of Attainment outcome.

Should learners only participate in an accredited course?

Not necessarily. Learners can receive training to meet industry, enterprise, educational, legislative or community needs through:

  • non-accredited training
  • an endorsed training package qualification
  • a skill set
  • a selection of training package units.

An organisation wishing to deliver a skill set or non-awarded course would need to satisfy other delivery requirements.

How do I access the content of endorsed training package units?

To access content from endorsed training package units, see:

What is the process to accredit a course?

Applicants have to complete 2 stages before a course can be accredited.

The first stage is a course concept proposal that we must approve before the proposed course can be developed.

The second stage is the course development and submission.

For detailed information about these stages, see: