Do I need a TAE40116 upgrade? If you hold TAE40116 and your RTO has moved scope to TAE40122 (or is about to), you need to complete the gap units to retain trainer scope. This guide covers exactly which units are new or updated, what your existing Statements of Attainment give you, and the fastest compliant pathway forward.
What units do you need to add for a TAE40116 upgrade to TAE40122?
To upgrade from TAE40116 to TAE40122 you typically need to complete four units: TAEDEL411 Facilitate vocational training, TAEDES411 Use nationally recognised training products to meet vocational training needs, TAEASS412 Assess competence, and TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation. The exact units depend on which TAE40116 units you hold and the specific TAE40122 elective mix. Most upgraders complete four units; some complete three or five depending on electives.
Your existing TAE40116 Statements of Attainment usually cover the equivalent units that carried across unchanged (including TAEDEL311 in most cases). Learn TAE maps your existing SoAs during enrolment and only enrols you in the gap units. Our TAE40116 to TAE40122 upgrade page has the full pathway.
Why did the units change?
The Australian Industry Skills Council (now Standards Australia) issued TAE40122 to replace TAE40116 in response to changes in VET delivery including online learning growth, updated Standards for RTOs 2025 alignment, and contemporary assessment practice. The four new/updated units reflect these changes. TAE40122 is the current qualification and TAE40116 is progressively being phased out of RTO scope across the country.
The changes are mostly modernisation. Updated terminology, clearer alignment to Standards for RTOs 2025, and expanded online-delivery content. If you trained in TAE40116 more than three years ago, the updates are also a useful refresh.
What are the delivery options for the gap units?
Self-paced pay-per-unit. $350 per unit. Enrol one unit at a time. Assessor feedback within three business days. Complete all four gap units in 4-8 weeks at typical study pace.
Live virtual upgrade cohort. Two weekend blocks focused on the gap units only. $1,400 bundled pricing. Complete in 2-4 weeks. Strong peer support for working trainers who want cohort interaction.
Both options produce the same TAE40122 Statement of Attainment. The choice is about schedule fit and preference for cohort versus independent work. See our self-paced guide for details.
What does the upgrade cost?
Learn TAE’s upgrade pricing is $1,400 for the four gap units. Per-unit pricing at $350 per unit would total $1,400 so the bundle matches the per-unit rate. Across the Australian market, upgrade pricing ranges from $1,200 to $2,800 depending on RTO. Typical TAFE upgrade pricing is $1,800-$2,400.
Why the market varies: some RTOs charge the full TAE40122 price ($2,799) because their scope is TAE40122 only and they don’t separate the upgrade. Others (like Learn TAE) maintain separate upgrade pricing because it reflects the actual reduced scope. Our pricing page shows full comparison.
What existing SoAs do you retain?
Most TAE40116 Statements of Attainment cover unchanged units and transfer to TAE40122 without re-assessment. Specifically, TAEDEL402 (Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning) often maps to TAE40122 unit TAEDEL412. TAEASS402 (Assess competence) maps to aspects of TAEASS412. The exact mapping varies slightly across TAE40116 cohorts.
Learn TAE completes a formal SoA mapping during enrolment to confirm which of your existing units transfer as-is. This is standard practice across upgrade providers. Bring your TAE40116 Statements of Attainment to the consultation and we confirm the specific gap before enrolment. Our RPL pathway is also available for trainers with broader industry evidence.
What's the timeframe to complete the upgrade?
The realistic timeframe is four to eight weeks for self-paced learners studying 5-8 hours per week. Live virtual upgrade cohorts compress to two to four weeks of elapsed time. RPL-eligible upgraders with strong workplace evidence can complete in two to three weeks.
Faster than that is rarely possible because the units include practical delivery and assessment components that need scheduling. Slower is fine under the 12-month self-paced window if life intervenes. Learn TAE accommodates extensions on request. See our how long does Cert IV take guide for context.
What happens if you don't upgrade?
If your RTO has moved scope to TAE40122, trainers holding only TAE40116 are progressively removed from trainer scope. ASQA is phasing out TAE40116 as the compliant trainer qualification. By late 2026 most RTOs will require TAE40122 for all trainer scope. Trainers who wait risk losing scope and client work.
Trainers who move early benefit from earlier access to TAE40122 delivery work. RTOs prefer trainers with the current qualification when making scope decisions. The cost ($1,400) recovers quickly through even one month of retained delivery work.
Can I use RPL for the upgrade?
Yes for some units. If you have strong workplace evidence of delivering and assessing under TAE40122-aligned practice (even while TAE40116-qualified), RPL can cover one or two of the gap units. TAEDEL411 and TAEASS412 in particular accept RPL evidence from real training and assessment work.
Learn TAE’s RPL pathway is fully remote with evidence submission, assessor review and supplementary live assessment. RPL-eligible trainers often complete the upgrade in two to four weeks at reduced cost. Our standard RPL discount on the upgrade is a separate consultation price.
Related reading
- National Training Register – TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Dept. Of Employment and Workplace Relations – 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations
ASQA – Standards for RTOs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my TAE40116 if I upgrade?
No. You retain your TAE40116 Statements of Attainment as records. You add the TAE40122 qualification to your credentials. The TAE40116 remains a valid historical qualification.
Can I keep working as a trainer while upgrading?
Yes. Self-paced and virtual modes are designed for working trainers. Most learners complete the upgrade around their current trainer schedule.
What if my RTO hasn't moved scope to TAE40122 yet?
You can still upgrade for career insurance. Most RTOs will move scope by late 2026. Upgrade now to be ready when your RTO transitions.
Is the upgrade recognised nationally?
Yes. TAE40122 is a nationally recognised qualification under the AQF. The upgrade gives you the full qualification, not a partial credential.
Does the upgrade expire?
The qualification does not expire. However, trainer currency requirements still apply. Continue to maintain current vocational competency and PD as you would with any trainer credential.
Can I upgrade if I haven't worked as a trainer in years?
Yes. RPL eligibility may be lower if you’ve been away from practice, but you can still complete the four gap units through standard study. Some re-familiarisation with current assessment practice is expected.
Learn TAE (delivered in partnership with RTO 40407) runs the TAE40116 to TAE40122 upgrade at $1,400 for the four gap units. Self-paced or live virtual modes, fully mapped to your existing Statements of Attainment. Complete in two to eight weeks. Enrol at https://learntae.com.au/contact-us/.
Need more information?
Call our friendly team on: 1300 858 849