Running a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) involves juggling multiple responsibilities that are equally important. On one hand, there’s training delivery. This involves creating courses, conducting assessments, and tracking competency. The other side involves student administration. Providers must manage enrolments, maintain records, and meet requirements outlined in the Standards for RTOs. For many providers, these functions live in separate systems. A student management system (SMS) handles compliance. A learning management system (LMS) handles training. The gap between them becomes a manual process.
Cloud Assess and VETtrak take two different approaches to this problem. VETtrak is an SMS that integrates seamlessly with learning platforms. Cloud Assess is an all-in-one platform that brings learning delivery, assessment, and student management into a single system. This article compares both platforms to help you determine which approach suits your needs.
Comparison Overview (TLDR)
Cloud Assess is a flexible, all-in-one platform for RTOs and other Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers in Australia. It combines training and assessment features with student management tools. Training providers can manage enrolments, deliver and assess learning, and meet AVETMISS compliance requirements without switching between platforms. It suits providers of all sizes, from private RTOs to enterprise training organisations.
VETtrak is a dedicated student management system built specifically for private RTOs in Australia. It specialises in student data management, enrolment workflows, and compliance reporting across all states and territories. However, the platform doesn’t include native course creation or assessment delivery tools, and is typically paired with a separate LMS for full learning delivery.
If your priority is advanced, specialist student management and you already have a solution for learning delivery, VETtrak may be the right fit. If you need a single platform that handles student management, assessment, and learning delivery together, Cloud Assess might be a better option.
We’ve compiled a list of alternatives that can help you find the right solution.
Company Backgrounds
History of Cloud Assess
Back in 2012, Australian RTOs were drowning in paper-based assessments and fragmented systems. This was the problem that Cloud Assess aimed to address head-on. The platform launched in 2013 and quickly became the leading digital assessment platform for compliance-focused training providers. By 2025, it had incorporated student management system features. This transformed the solution from a training and assessment platform into a flexible, all-in-one software platform for RTOs.
Today, Cloud Assess helps RTOs across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK deliver, manage, and prove training compliance with ease. From AVETMISS reporting to certificate management, it consolidates the tools RTOs used to juggle separately.
History of VETtrak
VETtrak has been part of the Australian VET sector for over 20 years. Originally built as a dedicated SMS for RTOs, it became one of the most trusted compliance-focused SMS platforms in the country, particularly among private RTOs. Over time, it expanded its capabilities to include end-to-end student management, AVETMISS reporting, CRICOS compliance, data analytics, and web-based portals. In 2021, VETtrak was acquired by ReadyTech and became part of its education suite.
ReadyTech is an Australian technology group serving the education, employment, government, and workforce sectors. Its education suite covers training delivery, skills tracking, learning management, and student administration across the VET and higher education markets. VETtrak remains focused on the private RTO market, providing a compliance-first SMS with deep experience in the sector.
Product Offerings & Use Cases
Cloud Assess
Cloud Assess is purpose-built for vocational education and training providers that want to manage the entire training lifecycle in one place. It gives them the tools to create and deliver skill-based learning programs, conduct various types of assessments, and manage the full learner journey from enrolment through to certification. Its built-in student management features support AVETMISS reporting, USI validation, and RTO training plan management. The platform’s audit trails, compliance alerts and notifications, and version control also help providers meet regulatory requirements.
The platform is cloud-based and includes a mobile learner app, making training accessible on any device. It provides offline learning features to make training accessible in low connectivity areas, including on-the-job training in the field. Cloud Assess also includes AI-assisted marking to support assessors with more efficient result recommendations.
“We love Cloud Assess. It's been incredibly reliable with zero downtime, easy to set up, and the support team has been fantastic."”
For providers that need more advanced student management functionality, Cloud Assess also integrates directly with VETtrak, other popular SMS platforms, and over 5,000 other tools. This ensures seamless data sharing across RTO tech stacks.
Cloud Assess is a good fit for:
- RTOs that want a single platform for course delivery, assessment, and compliance management
- Providers looking to replace paper-based or fragmented training and assessment processes
- RTOs that need built-in AVETMISS-compliant reporting and training certificate management
- Training providers that want to integrate their LMS with an existing SMS
- RTOs of any size that need a scalable, mobile-friendly learning and assessment platform
VETtrak
VETtrak is one of the most established student management systems in the country. It handles end-to-end student management, from enrolment and scheduling through to reporting and compliance. The platform supports AVETMISS and CRICOS requirements, as well as helping providers manage student loans.
The platform supports cloud-based and on-premises hosting, giving RTOs flexibility in how they manage their infrastructure. It also includes web-based portals for students, trainers and employers, document storage, survey tools, and a reporting engine with tailored data analytics.
Where other ReadyTech solutions are designed for larger VET and higher education institutions, VETtrak is built for the private RTO market. It has deep compliance functionality and is trusted by many well-established providers. It also integrates with a range of third-party tools including LMS platforms, payment systems, and data analytics tools.
VETtrak is a good fit for:
- Private RTOs that need a dedicated, compliance-focused SMS
- RTOs registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and delivering training to international learners
- Providers that administer VET student loans and need reliable software for managing them
- RTOs that want flexible hosting options, including on-premises
- RTOs already using third-party LMS or assessment tools and need a reliable SMS to connect them
Unique Selling Points
Cloud Assess USPs
Assessment-Led Learning
Build programs around real-world competency checks, with practical assessments and evidence capture.
AI-Assisted Marking
Simplify assessor admin with AI-driven result recommendations that help teams mark more efficiently.
Offline Learning Support
Deliver training in low-connectivity environments, with progress syncing when connectivity returns.
Certificate Management
Issue, track, verify, and revoke certificates and Statements of Attainment from one centralised location.
Training Plan Management
Manage training plans and map units of competency for compliant apprenticeship and traineeship delivery.
Third-Party Evidence
Allow supervisors to submit evidence of learner progress, supporting rule of evidence requirements.
VETtrak USPs
Private RTO Specialisation
Compliance functionality and workflows designed around how private providers actually operate.
AVETMISS & CRICOS Support
Supports reporting obligations across all states and territories, including CRICOS requirements.
Flexible Hosting Options
Cloud-based and on-premises hosting options to match preferences and data management requirements.
Feature Comparison
| Cloud Assess | VETtrak | |
|---|---|---|
| AVETMISS-compliant reporting |  | |
| Certificate and statement of attainment management | | |
| Web-based student portal | | |
| Document Management | | |
| USI Validation | | |
| Course and assessment builder | |  |
| AI-assisted marking | | |
| Training plan management | | |
| Third-party evidence collection | | |
| Mobile app with offline functionality | | |
Pricing
Cloud Assess Pricing
- For SMEs & Enterprises
Built for frontline teams that don’t sit at desks. Mobile-first training, real-world evidence capture, real-time skills visibility and automated compliance for high-risk industries.
Flat fee, based on employees trained
Scales with your workforce. Every feature included from day one.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Mobile-first app with full offline capability
- Photo, video & audio evidence capture
- Skills matrix across your entire workforce
- Verification of Competency (VOC)
- Automated expiry alerts & renewals
- Site inductions for staff & contractors
- Real-time compliance dashboards
- Integrations, API & Webhooks
- For Registered Training Organisations
Run a compliant RTO end to end. AI-powered assessment creation, intelligent marking, AVETMISS reporting, USI validation and defensible evidence from enrolment to certification.
From $600
/ month
Flat fee, based on learners/students trained
Scales with your learners and enrolments. Every feature included from day one.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- AVETMISS & state-specific reporting
- USI validation & certificate management
- AI assessment creation & marking
- Revision control & mapping for audits
- Enrolment engine with branded webforms
- Quality checks & second-level moderation
- Stripe payments & calendar publishing
VETtrak Pricing
VETtrak pricing is not listed publicly on the ReadyTech website. You would need to contact the team directly to discuss your requirements and receive a tailored quote for VETtrak.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cloud Assess FAQs
Can we issue both accredited and non-accredited certificates through Cloud Assess?
Yes. Cloud Assess lets you create and issue both accredited and non-accredited certificates. It also supports Statements of Attainment. You can also configure the templates to reflect your branding and compliance requirements, and set rules and delivery settings independently for each certificate type.
What are Learning Journeys and how do they support the student lifecycle?
Learning Journeys are AI-guided pathways. You can set up pre-defined rules, including enrolment date, unit completion or learner inactivity. When the rule is met, it can release content, assign assessments and trigger communications. You set up the rules once, and it runs without manual intervention thereafter. This ensures learners receive the right content at the right time. It also lets trainers know when further action is needed.
Can we manage both prospects and active learners in Cloud Assess?
Yes. Cloud Assess comes with a built-in CRM that lets you capture and manage enquiries, track communications, and make internal notes. These carry forward throughout the student lifecycle. No separate CRM is needed.
VETtrak FAQs
Is VETtrak only for private RTOs?
No. VETtrak is designed around the compliance workflows and student management needs of private providers. While larger institutions, such as Technical and Further Education institutions, universities and large-scale RTOs can use the platform, they won’t find as much value from it.
Does VETtrak include an LMS?
No. VETtrak is a student management system and doesn’t include native course creation or learning delivery tools. RTOs that need an LMS can integrate VETtrak with a third-party platform, like Cloud Assess or Ready LMS.
How does VETtrak handle AVETMISS reporting?
VETtrak supports AVETMISS reporting across all Australian states and territories, with built-in tools to help RTOs meet their data collection and submission obligations.
Registered Training Organisations
Stay audit-ready and deliver quality training with powerful LMS and SMS features tailored to the VET sector.
