Training packages are the backbone of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system. They define the competencies — the skills and knowledge — that workers need in specific industries and occupations. Understanding how training packages are developed, updated, and superseded is critical for RTOs managing their scope of registration and keeping training materials current.
What Is a Training Package?
A training package is a set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications used to recognise and assess the skills and knowledge people need to perform effectively in the workplace. Each training package contains:
- Units of competency — the building blocks that define individual skills and knowledge requirements
- Qualifications — structured combinations of units that form recognised credentials (Certificate I through Advanced Diploma)
- Assessment requirements — the performance evidence, knowledge evidence, and assessment conditions for each unit
- Skill sets — targeted groupings of units for specific industry needs
- Companion volumes — implementation guides and other supporting materials
The Development Process
Training packages are developed through a structured, industry-led process that ensures they reflect current workplace practices and industry needs.
Industry Reference Committees (IRCs)
IRCs are the primary industry advisory bodies that identify the skills needs of their sector. Each IRC is responsible for specific industry areas and comprises representatives from employer organisations, unions, professional associations, and industry experts. IRCs develop cases for change and oversee the development of training package content.
Skills Service Organisations (SSOs)
SSOs provide technical, operational, and secretariat support to IRCs. They manage the development process, coordinate public consultation, and prepare training package content for endorsement. The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has approved several SSOs to support different industry sectors.
The Development Cycle
- Skills forecast and proposed schedule of work — IRCs identify emerging skills needs and prioritise development work
- Case for change — A formal proposal documenting why changes are needed, supported by industry evidence
- AISC approval — The Australian Industry and Skills Committee approves the case for change and scope of work
- Content development — SSOs develop draft units, qualifications, and assessment requirements in consultation with industry
- Public consultation — Draft content is published for public comment, allowing RTOs, industry, and other stakeholders to provide feedback
- Quality assurance — Content undergoes quality review to ensure compliance with the Standards for Training Packages
- AISC endorsement — The AISC endorses the final training package for publication
- Publication on training.gov.au — The endorsed training package is published on the national register
Releases and Versioning
Training packages are released with version numbers. When changes are made to a training package, a new release is published. Changes can range from minor editorial corrections to major restructuring of qualifications and units.
Each unit of competency within a training package also has its own release number. When a unit is updated, a new release is created. RTOs should monitor releases through training.gov.au to identify changes that affect their scope.
Transition Periods
When a training package is updated, RTOs are given a transition period to move from the old version to the new one. The standard transition period is typically 12 months from the date of publication on training.gov.au, though this can vary.
During the transition period, RTOs must:
Update their training and assessment strategies to reflect the new training package requirements
Revise assessment tools to address any new or changed performance criteria, knowledge evidence, or assessment conditions
Ensure trainers and assessors are current with the updated unit content
Transition enrolled learners or provide a teach-out pathway for the superseded version
Teach-Out Arrangements
Learners who are already enrolled in a qualification when it is superseded may be allowed to complete under the previous version within a defined teach-out period. RTOs must manage teach-out carefully to ensure learners receive a valid qualification. After the teach-out period expires, all delivery and assessment must be against the new version.
Supersession
When a new version of a unit or qualification replaces an older one, the older version is marked as superseded. Superseded units can no longer be used for new enrolments after the transition period ends. RTOs must update their scope of registration to reflect superseded and replacement units.
Mapping information published with each new release shows the relationship between old and new units — whether they are equivalent (direct replacement), not equivalent (significant content changes), or have been merged or split.
Impact on RTOs
Training package changes have significant operational implications for RTOs:
- Scope management — RTOs must apply to add new units and qualifications to their scope and manage the removal of superseded items
- Content updates — Training materials, learner guides, and assessment workbooks must be updated to reflect new requirements
- Trainer currency — Trainers and assessors must demonstrate current knowledge of updated unit content
- Compliance risk — Delivering against superseded training packages outside the transition period is a non-compliance issue during ASQA audits
Staying Current
RTOs can monitor training package changes through several channels:
- Subscribe to training.gov.au notifications for changes to units and qualifications on your scope
- Check IRC and SSO websites for upcoming development work
- Use automated tools like RTOFlow's unit lookup to track unit currency status and supersession information
- Attend industry consultation sessions during the public comment period
Proactive training package management protects your RTO from compliance risks and ensures learners receive training based on current industry standards.