Angela Connell-Richards: 0:23

Welcome back to the RTO Superhero Podcast. I'm Angela Connell-Richards, your compliance coach, marketing strategist and sometimes your much-needed wake-up call. If you're a regular listener, you know we've been in countdown mode at Vivasity to the new RTO standards, and the 1 July 2025 deadline is now just around the corner. Today we're tackling something that's often overlooked but frequently lands RTOs in hot water Marketing, that's right. Your website, your course flyers, your social media captions Are they compliant or could they be considered misleading under the new standards? Grab a cuppa team, because this episode could save your RTO from a serious audit trigger. Let's be honest when we think compliance, we think policies, assessment, validation, trainer, credentials. But marketing that's a job for the sales team, right Wrong. Under the new 2025 standards and also under the NRT logo, conditions of use policy and compliance requirements, all marketing and promotional material is now squarely under ASQA's microscope. And promotional materials now squarely under ASQA's microscope. If your course flyer makes unsubstantiated claims, doesn't include your RTO ID, promises employment outcomes, misuses the NRT logo, it could be considered misleading or deceptive conduct. That's not just a slap on the wrist. That's audit territory. Let's go through some examples I've seen in the past week from real RTOs Names withheld, of course. Mistake number one 100% job guarantee, unless you're literally employing the students. This is a massive red flag. Even saying strong employment outcomes without evidence is risky. Mistake number two the NRT logo without an RTO code. Out an RTO code. Every ad, every page, every flyer must include your RTO ID when advertising a nationally recognised course. Mistake number three misusing the NRT logo. You can't put it next to a non-accredited course, alter its colour or size ratio. Use it as your business logo or with your business logo only. Use it in line with official conditions of use for the policy, which we've linked in the show notes. Mistake number four forgetting scope. Promoting a course that's not on your scope of registration is a big no-no, even if you're about to add it onto your scope of registration.

Angela Connell-Richards: 3:37

The 2025 standards are very clear under Standard 2.1 and 2.2. You must provide accurate and factual information in all public facing communications. Let me quote directly marketing and advertising of training and assessment services must not be false, misleading or deceptive, and it's not just what you say, but how you say it. If you imply a shortcut, a guaranteed outcome or a benefit you can't verify, you've crossed the line. So if your Instagram says start your career as a nurse today, but you're delivering Certificate III in individual support and not actually placing them into a nursing role. That's problematic.

Angela Connell-Richards: 4:29

What you must include in every course flyer or promotion. Let's make this actionable. Here's your must-have checklist for every piece of promotional content. Number one your RTO ID or your code, everywhere the course is mentioned. Course title as it appears on traininggovau. Course title as it appears on traininggovau. Accreditation statement ie this course is nationally recognised. Training delivered by ABC RTO and your code. Duration and delivery mode. Entry requirements and prerequisites. Fees and funding eligibility or a clear statement of fees. No misleading employment claims or outcomes. You can download our marketing and advertising compliance checklist at vivacitycomau or check the show notes.

Angela Connell-Richards: 5:30

Let's talk website audits. Now let's chat about your website. When was the last time you did a full site review for compliance? Here's what to check Every training page includes your RTO code. Your only advertising courses on your current scope of registration. Any claims of outcomes are evidence-based. You link to funding terms. If promoting subsidised courses, you've updated old 2023 or 2024 or 2015 reference points. Your website is often the first place that Askable will visit when investigating a complaint or preparing for an audit, so don't let outdated content become your downfall.

Angela Connell-Richards: 6:20

Compliance versus connection. How to be clear and compelling. Now I get it. You want your marketing to be motivating. You want to inspire enrollments, not bore people with fine print. So how do you stay compliant without losing your voice? Well, here's how. Lead with outcomes, but qualify them. Instead of start your dream career as a childcare worker, try. This course provides the skills for entry-level roles in early education and care. Be transparent about effort, say, this course requires 120 hours of placement and full attendance to meet assessment requirements. Use testimonials, but only if they're real and don't promise guaranteed outcomes. And remember clear is compelling. Students want to trust you, not to be sold to Download the checklist and what is coming up next.

Angela Connell-Richards: 7:26

So there it is your wake-up call on marketing compliance under the 2025 standards. Download your free flyer checklist at vivacity. com. au or check the show notes. Share it with your marketing team, your admin staff, your graphic designer, heck, even your CEO. Next week, on the RTO Superhero Podcast, we're digging into the hidden audit triggers you might not even know exist, like scope changes, high-risk training products and complaints. Because if you think you're safe post-July, think again. Thanks for listening and remember compliance isn't a burden, it's your superpower. Catch you next week.