Cultural Awareness Training: A new standard for RTO excellence

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has revised the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to strengthen quality outcomes for learners and employers, provide greater clarity, and allow for more flexibility and innovation in training delivery.

The revised Standards for RTOs, which come into effect on 01 July 2025, require all staff, e.g., trainers, assessors, and those in administrative roles, to complete cultural awareness training. The aim of this requirement is to improve the quality and integrity across the VET (Vocational Education and Training) sector and ensure a culturally safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Why embrace cultural awareness & cultural sensitivity

Failure to embrace cultural sensitivity and competence can lead to missed business opportunities and workplace issues. For example, misunderstanding or not aligning with a client’s cultural norms can hinder relationship building and result in missed opportunities. Similarly, ignoring employees’ diverse needs can lead to low morale, high turnover, low registration and thus harming team productivity and company growth. 

Cultural sensitivity and cultural competence among teams are crucial for an organisation’s competitive advantage, especially in today’s interconnected market, and in Australia’s diverse market that encourages diversity, equity and inclusion.

Dr Desiree Beekharry, Senior Lecturer and Founder& Lead Facilitator at Manage the Conflict Business says, 

“If we want to succeed economically and socially as a city and as a State, if we want to attract and welcome more talent, then we must know how to integrate and be inclusive. These are not just words but a way to be.”

Dr Beekharry runs online and face-to-face cultural awareness training for 8 participants or more. 

The key benefits for RTOs, Educators and Organisations

• Improved intercultural communication across teams and classrooms
• Greater empathy, understanding, and inclusion in all interactions
• A more respectful and welcoming workplace or learning environment
• Enhanced appreciation of cultural diversity and lived experience
• Promotion of equity, inclusion, and psychological safety for all staff and students
• A more harmonious, collaborative, and positive organizational culture
• Stronger relationships through dismantling stereotypes and cultural barriers

For more information, go to:

https://​man​ageth​e​con​flict​.com/​t​r​a​i​n​i​n​g​s​-​c​u​l​t​u​r​a​l​a​w​a​r​eness

https://​www​.asqa​.gov​.au/​h​o​w​-​w​e​-​r​e​g​u​l​a​t​e​/​r​e​v​i​s​e​d​-​s​t​a​n​d​a​r​d​s​-rtos

https://​www​.dewr​.gov​.au/​s​t​a​n​d​a​r​d​s​-​f​o​r​-rtos

Dr Desiree Beekharry 

0416 407 367 or desiree.​beekharry@​gmail.​com