Australian Institutes of Trades Pty Ltd as trustee for the Institute of Hotel Management Australia and Australian Skills Quality Authority

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the application by Australian Institutes of Trades Pty Ltd (as trustee for the Institute of Hotel Management Australia) (the applicant) for review of a decision by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to refuse to register the applicant as a registered training organisation (RTO). The applicant sought to be registered as an RTO to deliver vocational education and training in the hospitality sector.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant met the requirements of the *National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011* (Cth) and associated standards for registration as an RTO. Specifically, the Tribunal had to assess whether the applicant had demonstrated compliance with the financial viability, quality assurance, and governance requirements stipulated by ASQA.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal applied the principles of administrative review, considering the evidence presented by both the applicant and ASQA. The Tribunal found that the applicant had failed to provide sufficient evidence to satisfy ASQA that it met the required standards, particularly concerning its financial capacity and the robustness of its quality management systems. The Tribunal emphasised the importance of RTOs demonstrating a clear capacity to operate sustainably and deliver high-quality training outcomes.

Ultimately, the Tribunal affirmed ASQA's decision to refuse registration.