Register as a group training organisation (GTO)

What is a registered GTO in NSW?

In NSW, GTOs may be registered under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act (2001). To be registered in NSW, a GTO must demonstrate that their organisation is compliant with the National Standards for Group Training Organisations. The Standards were developed and endorsed by the Commonwealth and all States and Territories and are designed to provide a quality framework for a nationally consistent, robust, group training service. 

Registration is not mandatory in NSW.

Get registered as a GTO in NSW 

Group Training Organisations place apprentices and trainees with host employers. See GTOs for an introduction. 

There are many benefits to registering as a GTO including:  

• The chance to promote your organisation as a quality group training organisation assessed by the National Standards for Group Training Organisations.  
• Access government programs and incentives only available to registered GTOs. (See Recruitment program below). 
• Having their organisation’s details promoted on Commonwealth and State government websites as a registered GTO in NSW.

To get registered or re-registered as a GTO, processes include: 

1. Download the Registration Guide
2. Assess your organisation's systems, processes and services against the National Standards 
3. Prepare an Application Form and Compliance Assessment Report and other support materials.  Lodge these documents with Training Services. 
4. Participate in a compliance audit. An independent auditor nominated by the Department of Education will do this. It involves a desk audit, a site audit, and interviews with apprentices/trainees and host employers. Note: The applicant GTO must pay for all the costs for the independent auditor. 
5. Get approval. A GTO may be registered once it:  
   • is assessed as meeting the National Standards, and
   • meets any other requirements imposed by the Department. 

The Commissioner for Vocational Training may approve the registration of the GTO under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001. Registration will be between one and three years.

Find a GTO in NSW

• View a list of registered GTOs in NSW. 

For registration inquiries, contact us at: Group.Training@det.nsw.edu.au 

For additional support, contact Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT.

GTOs operating in NSW and ACT 

GTOs that operate in NSW and ACT can use a joint registration process to apply, with only one lot of registration fees. These are the NSW fees described in NSW GTO Registration Guide

If successful, the GTO will be registered in both NSW and ACT.

To be eligible a GTO must: 

• operate in both NSW and ACT  
• have a permanent physical presence in NSW, and 
• use the same policies, processes and systems in both jurisdictions. 

To apply

• Complete a GTO NSW application form, AND a Group Training Organisations - Skills (act.gov.au) application form.
• Attach both to a completed Compliance Assessment Report (and support materials)
• Submit to Training Services. Once the applications are submitted, a copy of the ACT Application Form will be provided to Skills Canberra.

The audit process is that documented in  NSW GTO Registration Guide with these additions:

• Interviews will also be conducted (by Skills Canberra) with a sample of apprentices, trainees and host employers in the ACT. Feedback from the interviews will be provided to the auditor and may inform/influence site audit activities in NSW and audit outcomes.
• A copy of the completed Compliance Assessment Report and Audit Outcome Form (with auditor recommendation) will be provided to Skills Canberra.
• Both jurisdictions will make independent appealable decisions about a GTO’s registration in their jurisdictions.
• In the event that the ACT interviews or completed Compliance Assessment Report identify possible issues with the GTO’s ACT operations, Skills Canberra may require a full GTO audit be undertaken before registration is granted in the ACT. This may also result in an additional cost to the GTO. For further information, please refer to ACT GTO registration website.

Recruitment Program for GTOs

See our Recruitment Program page.