Education marketing
RTO advertising
rules.
Since 1 July 2025, the Compliance Standards set out what RTO marketing must do: show your RTO code or a link to the National Register, include each course's code and title as listed on the National Register, describe services and funding accurately, only claim a licensed outcome once the regulator has confirmed it, and never guarantee completion or a job you don't control. VET Student Loans add their own rules: say it's a loan, and no inducements over $30.
Written by Dan Picken, a marketer who checks the sources. Last checked 2 November 2026.What the
2025 Standards say.
Section 7 of the Compliance Standards covers marketing: show the RTO code or a link to the National Register, include each course's code and title as listed on the National Register, describe services accurately, give accurate funding information, only claim a licensed outcome once the industry regulator has confirmed it, and say what any third party, such as a recruiter or training partner, does for you. Section 8 bans guaranteeing completion, or a job outcome the RTO doesn't control.
ASQA's practice guide on information adds that learners need clear, accurate information before enrolling: the course code and title, any licensing requirements, and full fees.
RTO ad check
Check the ad
before ASQA does.
Paste an ad, social post or course page. It flags wording that commonly breaks the 2025 Standards for RTOs and the VET Student Loans rules. A word check, not a compliance review.
Flags
0
The NRT
logo.
The Nationally Recognised Training logo may only appear with training that's in your scope, not on corporate stationery, business cards, signage or merchandise, and its colours and proportions are fixed. Using it on a non-accredited short course is a common slip.
VET Student
Loans.
Ads for VET Student Loans courses must show your name and RTO code, say the loan is a debt, and never suggest it isn't a loan. Inducements are banned apart from merchandise worth up to $30. You can't mention VET Student Loans in social media marketing or when cold calling, and VSL marketing must say loans won't be approved for students who aren't eligible.
What happens
when it goes wrong.
The ACCC acts on misleading training marketing. In May 2025, Captain Cook College, its parent company and a former executive were ordered to pay penalties totalling $30.4 million for unconscionable conduct towards students. The college was also ordered to pay $750,000 for misleading students about online diploma courses under the former VET FEE-HELP scheme.
It applies
everywhere.
The Standards apply to all marketing: the website, social posts, paid ads, brochures, emails and what partners and brokers publish for you. Short formats are where things go missing, especially the RTO code on social ads and the full picture on licensing.
A simple routine helps: one approved set of facts for each course (code, duration, fees, funding, outcomes, licensing steps), used in every ad and page, and a quick check of new ads against it before they run. The Google Ads page covers the searches worth running those ads on.
What I see most often
What I see
most often.
- 1
No RTO code on social ads
Facebook and Instagram ads for accredited courses with no code or register link.
- 2
'Job-ready guaranteed'
Guarantee wording in headlines and course pages.
- 3
Licence implied
'Become a licensed electrician' on a course that's one step of several.
- 4
Logo on everything
The NRT logo on email signatures and non-accredited courses.
The honest bit. This is a marketing summary, not compliance advice. ASQA's own guides and your compliance manager have the final say.
Questions
people ask.
Do RTOs have to show their RTO code on ads?
Yes. The 2025 Compliance Standards require the RTO code or a link to the National Register on marketing.
Can an RTO guarantee a job?
No. The Standards ban guaranteeing completion, or a job outcome the RTO doesn't control.
Who can use the Nationally Recognised Training logo?
RTOs, only with training in their scope, and not on corporate stationery, business cards, signage or merchandise.
Can you offer incentives with VET Student Loans courses?
Only merchandise worth up to $30. Other inducements are banned.
Related
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going.
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