Shows
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!One Month Into the New Standards – Our Journey, Lessons, and SurprisesIn this special reflection episode, Angela Connell-Richards shares an honest and insightful look at what the first month under the new 2025 Standards has really been like. From wins and breakthroughs to unexpected challenges, Angela takes you behind the scenes of her work with RTOs over the past month—revealing what’s working, what’s still settling, and what everyone should be paying attention to as the sector adjusts.Key points discussed: ✅ How RTOs are adapting to the 2025 Standards in practice ✅ The biggest lessons learned (so far) from the first month ✅ Surprising trends and common r...2025-08-0508 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Complaint = Audit: Building a Bulletproof Response ProcessIn this crucial episode, Angela Connell-Richards sheds light on one of the fastest-growing audit triggers under the 2025 Standards: complaints. Even one unresolved student complaint can lead to a full ASQA investigation—so how you respond matters more than ever.Key points discussed: ✅ How ASQA uses complaints to trigger audits ✅ What makes a compliant, defensible response process ✅ How to train your team to handle feedback and escalation ✅ What documentation you must retain to protect your RTOAngela provides a framework to turn complaints into opportunities for improvement—and a shield against unexpected audits.Li...2025-07-2909 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!High-Risk Products: What You Deliver Could Be Your Weakest LinkIn this high-stakes episode, Angela Connell-Richards breaks down the reality of delivering high-risk training products in the VET sector. From early childhood to cookery, some qualifications are magnets for ASQA scrutiny—and Angela shows you how to stay protected.Key points discussed: ✅ What defines a “high-risk” qualification or unit ✅ How to assess and strengthen your delivery of risky products ✅ Common pitfalls in assessment, placement, and validation ✅ Evidence strategies to demonstrate quality and improvementAngela gives you the tools to handle high-risk delivery areas with confidence and audit-readiness.Listen now and download Angel...2025-07-2210 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!You Survived the Deadline... Now What?We've crossed the 1 July 2025 compliance deadline, but the real work for RTOs starts now. Having updated policies alone doesn't make you audit-ready, especially as ASQA adopts a more vigilant, risk-based approach to monitoring.Top three post-deadline compliance traps: assuming document updates equal compliance, underestimating audit triggers, and failing to implement self-assuranceASQA can now trigger audits through scope additions, student complaints, high-risk delivery, or routine risk assessmentsSelf-assurance requires demonstrating continuous improvement, feedback collection, and staff training on new standardsThree immediate actions: conduct a compliance health check, brief your entire team, and track evidence weekly Download our free 30-day compliance h...2025-07-1506 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Scope Trap: Why Expansion Can Trigger Audit DisasterIn this timely episode, Angela Connell-Richards explores the compliance risks that come with adding courses to your RTO’s scope—especially under the 2025 Standards. What seems like growth can quickly turn into an audit nightmare without the right preparation.Key points discussed: ✅ The audit risks tied to scope additions and amendments ✅ How to pre-assess your readiness before submitting a scope application ✅ The evidence ASQA looks for when reviewing new course delivery ✅ How to align your TAS, trainers, and resources before expansionAngela helps you build a proactive process for safe, strategic scope growth—wit...2025-07-0810 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Funding Chaos: Navigating Australia's Complex VET Landscape with Lauren Hollows🎙 In this episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards and co-host Lauren Hollows tackle a confronting reality in Australia’s VET sector—how arbitrary funding decisions are crippling high-performing private RTOs.Despite delivering 80% of Australia’s training, private RTOs receive just 30% of government funding. Even worse? RTOs with exceptional outcomes are being denied funding simply because their success happened in the “wrong” state.🚨 What’s happening behind the scenes:📉 Outstanding RTOs excluded from funding programs due to postcode politics📊 “Mom and pop” RTOs pushed out by sk...2025-07-0345 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Beyond 1 July – Building a Culture of Self-Assurance, Not Just ComplianceIn this forward-looking episode, Angela Connell-Richards explores what it takes for RTOs to move beyond the 1 July 2025 Standards deadline and embrace a culture of continuous self-assurance. Rather than treating compliance as a checklist, Angela invites you to reframe it as an ongoing journey of quality, improvement, and organisational excellence.Key points discussed: ✅ What “self-assurance” really means under the 2025 Standards ✅ How to embed continuous improvement across all Quality Areas ✅ The role of leadership, team culture, and systems in sustaining compliance ✅ Tools and strategies to help your RTO thrive—not just survive—beyond audit day...2025-07-0106 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Funding Fairness: Public vs Private RTOs with Lauren Hollows🎙 In this episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards, with Lauren Hollows, dives into one of the biggest funding battles in Australia’s VET sector—the growing inequality between TAFE NSW and private RTOs.Private RTOs are under increasing pressure as TAFE NSW now receives 80% of all Smart and Skilled funding—despite data showing private providers deliver better outcomes at lower costs.🚨 Here’s what’s at stake:📊 Private RTOs boast higher completion rates (54%) vs. TAFE’s 43%💰 For every $1 spent on a private RTO...2025-06-2630 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Credential Chaos: Mapping Your Trainers to the 2025 StandardsIn this practical episode, Angela Connell-Richards helps you decode the updated credential requirements for trainers and assessors under the new 2025 Standards. If you’re unsure whether your team meets current expectations—or how to evidence it—this episode is your step-by-step guide.Key points discussed: ✅ What the Credential Policy now requires (and what’s changed) ✅ How to audit and map your trainers' qualifications and experience ✅ Documentation strategies to satisfy ASQA in an audit ✅ Common credential compliance gaps to avoidAngela walks you through the credential tracking process so you can protect your RTO from costly...2025-06-2409 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!VET Talks: Future-Proof Your RTO - Embracing the 2025 Standards with ConfidenceVET Talks: Future-Proof Your RTO - Embracing the 2025 Standards with ConfidenceIn this insightful episode of VETtalks, join Scott Rogers (CEO of eSkilled) and Angela Connell (CEO of Vivacity RTO Consulting) for a focused Q&A on navigating the upcoming 2025 Standards for RTOs.With major reforms now on the horizon, this episode dives into why it’s critical to start preparing now—not later. You’ll hear expert insights into the compliance risks of delay, the key operational and strategic adjustments required, and how to begin aligning your RTO with the new regulatory framew...2025-06-191h 07
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!LLND in the Real World: What RTOs Must Know About Standard 2.2In this episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards and co-host Maciek Fibrich unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of the 2025 Standards for RTOs—Standard 2.2, with a laser focus on assessing Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) skills prior to enrolment.There’s been growing confusion in the VET sector: 🌀 Do RTOs need to buy expensive LLN and digital skills tools? 🌀 Does every course require digital assessments? 🌀 What’s the difference between a review and a formal assessment?Angela and Maciek cut through the noise with practical insights...2025-06-1739 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!At the Brink: Why Private RTOs Can’t Afford Another Year of Funding CutsIn this urgent episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards takes you inside a growing crisis in Australia’s vocational education sector. Private RTOs—who deliver over 70% of the nation’s training—are being hit with devastating funding cuts, unfunded compliance reforms, and a wave of closures that threaten access, jobs, and student outcomes.Angela shares real frontline stories, the latest NCVER data, and what government isn’t telling you about the Fee-Free TAFE agenda. She also unveils her Open Letter to the Prime Minister and Ministers, backed by hundreds of RTO professionals calling for fair...2025-06-1624 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!We Updated Our Policies… So We’re Compliant, Right?In this thought-provoking episode, Angela Connell-Richards challenges the common assumption that simply updating your policies and procedures means your RTO is compliant. She explores the deeper truth behind the new Standards: implementation, understanding, and continuous review are what really matter now.Key points discussed: ✅ Why policy updates alone won’t satisfy ASQA ✅ How to identify gaps between policy and practice ✅ The 4-question self-audit method to review your documentation ✅ How to embed policies into your team culture and systemsAngela shares actionable strategies and a real client case study that reveal how to shift from...2025-06-1008 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!The Blind Leading the CompliantAs we race towards the 1 July 2025 implementation of the Revised Standards for RTOs, one uncomfortable truth is becoming clear: many RTOs are more prepared than the national regulator itself.In this unfiltered and empowering bonus episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards takes you behind the scenes of what’s really happening with ASQA—and what that means for your compliance strategy. Drawing on over 30 years of experience (including the last major reform in 2011), Angela shares first-hand stories, current client scenarios, and actionable strategies to help RTO leaders confidently take the reins.What You’...2025-06-0545 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!The Top 5 Mistakes RTOs Are Still Making Before July — And How to Fix Them NowIn this timely episode, Angela Connell-Richards tackles the most common mistakes RTOs are making as they scramble to prepare for the 1 July 2025 Standards deadline. Drawing on her work with dozens of RTOs in recent months, Angela shines a light on the blind spots, oversights, and shortcuts that could cost you dearly—and, most importantly, explains how to fix them before it’s too late.Key points discussed: ✅ The top 5 compliance mistakes RTOs are still making right now ✅ Why these issues keep popping up (even in experienced organisations) ✅ Practical, step-by-step fixes to get your RTO b...2025-06-0309 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Audit Triggers You’re Not Watching: Scope, Complaints & High-Risk ProductsIn this insight-packed episode, Angela Connell-Richards uncovers the silent risks that could land your RTO in an ASQA audit—even if you’ve already met the 1 July deadline. From additions to scope, to complaints, to the delivery of high-risk qualifications, Angela shows how audit triggers have changed—and what RTOs must now do to stay audit-ready.Key points discussed: ✅ How scope changes can trigger a full audit ✅ Why even one student complaint could launch an investigation ✅ The list of training products ASQA considers “high risk” ✅ Tools to assess and reduce your audit exposureAngela offers cle...2025-05-2709 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Marketing vs Misleading – Staying Compliant in How You Promote TrainingIn this essential episode, Angela Connell-Richards tackles one of the most overlooked audit risks for RTOs—non-compliant marketing. With the 2025 Standards now in full effect, your course flyers, website, and social media content are all under ASQA’s lens. Angela explores how a single misleading phrase can trigger an audit—and what you can do to stay on the safe side.Key points discussed: ✅ What the 2025 Standards say about marketing compliance ✅ The top marketing mistakes that RTOs are still making ✅ How to correctly use the NRT logo and represent your scope ✅ Tips for writing clear, com...2025-05-2108 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Policies with Purpose: How I’m Rewriting Compliance for the 2025In this episode, Angela takes you behind the scenes of her massive compliance rewrite project. Discover why 2025 is the year to rethink—not just update—your policies and procedures. Angela shares the philosophy, strategy, and practical steps she’s using to ensure Vivacity’s documents empower RTOs to meet the new Standards with confidence.Key points discussed: ✅ Why the 2025 Standards require more than a “copy and paste” update ✅ How to align policies with purpose, clarity, and accountability ✅ Tips for writing accessible, actionable policies your team will actually use ✅ Common mistakes RTOs make when updating c...2025-05-1408 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Countdown to Compliance – Your Final 6-Week RTO Survival GuideIn this episode, Angela Connell-Richards breaks down the essential roadmap for RTOs facing the final stretch before the 1 July 2025 Standards go live. With just six weeks left, this survival guide helps you focus, prioritise, and take action without overwhelm. Angela shares her insider tips, drawn from decades of experience, to help you make the most of every remaining week.Key points discussed: ✅ A week-by-week countdown checklist to prepare your RTO ✅ The most common compliance pitfalls in the final weeks ✅ Tools and strategies to help your team stay on track ✅ How to manage l...2025-05-0608 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Leading Through Challenge: My Journey Navigating Business, Health, and HopeIn this deeply personal episode, Angela Connell-Richards, CEO of Vivacity and host of the RTO Superhero Podcast, opens up about her recent diagnoses of thyroid cancer and renal cancer — and how early detection, proactive care, and strong leadership systems have helped her navigate both business and health challenges with resilience and clarity.Angela shares candid insights on: ✅ How she’s continued to lead Vivacity through her health journey ✅ The critical importance of not ignoring pain or symptoms — and why early health checks can save lives ✅ What this experience has taught her about vulnerability, delegation, and the real me...2025-05-0206 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Under Pressure: International Education, ASQA Scrutiny & the Future of CRICOS RTOs with Lauren Boon-HollowsIn this explosive episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards is joined by compliance powerhouse Lauren Boon-Hollows to unpack the growing crisis in international education across Australia.From mounting government pressure and audit inconsistencies to the harsh realities facing CRICOS RTOs, Angela and Lauren aren’t pulling any punches. They take the boxing gloves off and dive into:The real impact of government crackdowns on international student enrolmentsWhy many RTOs are facing an uphill battle—despite doing the right thingHow assessment tool...2025-04-291h 10
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Assessment Alignment: Valid, Reliable & Audit-ReadyIn this powerful episode, Angela Connell-Richards sits down with assessment expert Maciek Fibriek to unpack one of the most critical topics under the new 2025 Standards—assessment practices and audit readiness.Together, they dive deep into:✅ What’s actually changed under Standard 1.3 ✅ Why fit-for-purpose assessment means contextualising for your learner cohort ✅ How to test, validate, and align your tools to ensure compliance ✅ The role of AI in developing assessments—myths, risks, and best practice ✅ Real-world audit insights and red flags to avoid ✅ Why consistent validation and a culture of compliance are key...2025-04-2348 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!Trainer Compliance Under the New Standards: What RTOs Must Do Now with Lauren Boon-HollowsIn this episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards and Lauren Hollows explore the essential elements of structured and engaging training that meets compliance under Standards 1.1 & 1.2. They break down how to design well-paced training programs, avoid the pitfalls of condensed courses, and ensure students remain engaged throughout their learning journey.🎙️ Key discussion points include: ✅ The importance of structured and paced training – How to align with compliance requirements while maintaining student engagement. ✅ The risks of condensed courses – Understanding...2025-04-1635 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!VET Workforce Management & Industry Experts – What RTOs Need to Know with Maciek FibrichIn this episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, host Angela Connell-Richards is joined once again by Maciek Fibrich, RTO coach and compliance expert, to unpack the major changes in Quality Area 3 – VET Workforce Management under the new 2025 Standards for RTOs.With a fresh focus on whole-of-organisation workforce management, these changes mean that compliance is no longer just the responsibility of trainers and assessors—it now extends to all staff, from administration to leadership. Angela and Maciek explore:✅ VET Workforce Management – How the new...2025-04-0919 min
RTO Superhero 🎙️ Empowering RTOs to Thrive!The New Standards Have Landed: What RTOs Need to Know Now with Lauren Boon-HollowsIn this episode of the RTO Superhero Podcast, Angela Connell-Richards is joined by Lauren Hollows to discuss the critical role of clear and transparent student information under Standards 2.1 & 2.2. They break down what RTOs must communicate before enrolment, how to avoid misleading marketing, and why realistic course durations are essential for compliance and student success.🎙️ Key discussion points include: ✅ What information must be provided before enrolment – Ensuring students make informed decisions. ✅ Avoiding misleading marketing claims – How to...2025-04-0250 min