Adapt Education

What Adapt Education does

Adapt Education Pty Ltd is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO# 32452) established in 2011 and headquartered in Manly, Queensland, operating under ASQA regulation to issue nationally recognised vocational qualifications. The company delivers Certificate III, IV, and Diploma-level courses across four broad verticals: education and care (Teacher Aide, OSHC, School Age Education and Care), business and management, trades (carpentry, maritime operations, resources and infrastructure), and school-based VET pathways. Since inception it has trained 20,000 students, partnered with 300 schools nationwide, and maintained 99% student satisfaction every year, holding a 4.9/5 Google review rating.

The core technical asset is a self-paced online learning platform delivering recorded webinars, video content, interactive modules, and downloadable resources, supplemented by a correspondence option (USB/textbook delivery) for students with limited internet access. Student support includes unlimited phone, email, and portal access with a guaranteed 24-hour response time, plus up to eight 30-minute one-on-one Zoom/Teams induction sessions. The platform supports multiple delivery modes — online, correspondence, blended, and classroom — with a physical training academy at Wynnum for First Aid and face-to-face practicals, and partnered delivery sites at Breddan (Bridgeview Training) for resources/infrastructure training.

Revenue is generated through course tuition fees, government subsidies (QLD Career Start, Career Boost, VETiS), traineeship contributions from employers and employees (e.g., $1.60 per nominal hour for standard trainees), and short-course fees ($100-$190 per course). Pricing is highly differentiated by funding eligibility, with concessional rates for healthcare card, pension card, or Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander students. Payment plans are offered at no additional cost via direct debit. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through the website and phone-based enrollment, supplemented by school partnerships for VET in Schools and corporate group bookings for First Aid. The operating model is capital-light with 1-10 employees, and the company is privately held with no disclosed external funding rounds or institutional investors.

Name

Adapt Education

Legal name

Adapt Education Pty Ltd

Website

https://adapteducation.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Adapt Education is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO# 32452) delivering self-paced online vocational qualifications in education support, business, trades, and OSHC, serving school students, career changers, and employers across Australia with 20,000 students trained since 2011.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Manly

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition Fees: Adapt Education generates revenue primarily through course tuition fees. Students pay either standard fees or subsidized co-contribution fees when eligible for government funding programs. Fees vary by course, ranging from $980 (Volunteer Literacy Tutoring) to $10,000 (Certificate III in Carpentry standard fee). Payment plans are available at no additional cost with direct debit options.
2. Government Funding Subsidies: The company participates in government-funded training programs including Career Start, Career Boost, and VETiS funding for eligible Queensland students. This allows subsidized access to courses, with the company receiving government subsidies for approved training places.
3. Traineeship Contributions: Revenue from employer and employee contributions for apprenticeship and traineeship programs. Employers may pay course fees on behalf of trainees, and contribution fees are calculated based on nominal hours ($1.60 per nominal hour for standard trainees).
4. Short Course Fees: Professional development and short courses ranging from $100 (Introduction to OSHC) to $190 (Child Protection unit). These are one-time payment courses for specific skills or compliance requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Adapt Education delivers nationally recognised vocational qualifications (Certificates I-IV, Diplomas) and short courses across Education and Care, Business, Leadership, Construction, Maritime, Resources, and Sport and Recreation sectors. Courses are offered to individuals, secondary schools (VET in Schools), and employers via traineeship pathways, with flexible delivery modes including self-paced online, USB correspondence, workplace, and on-campus study. The organisation operates as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO #32452) across multiple Australian states.

Product overview

Adapt Education is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO# 32452) offering a portfolio of nationally recognised vocational education and training courses primarily for the Australian market. The company operates through its core self-paced online learning platform and offers qualifications across three main categories: Education and Care (Teacher Aide, OSHC, and Early Childhood courses), Business and Management (Certificates III-IV and Diplomas), and Industry/Trade courses (Carpentry, Maritime, Resources). Additionally, the company provides VET in Schools programs for secondary students and a range of short courses including First Aid, Microsoft Office skills, and professional development. The platform supports multiple delivery modes including online, correspondence, and blended learning with flexible payment plans and government funding options for eligible Queensland residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certificate III in School Based Education Support A Certificate III qualification for individuals seeking to work as teachers' aides or education support workers in school settings. Delivered via self-paced online study with nationally recognised credential upon completion.
• Certificate IV in School Based Education Support An advanced Certificate IV qualification for education support workers progressing to higher-level responsibilities in school settings. Delivered via self-paced online study with nationally recognised credential upon completion.
• Certificate III in Outside School Hours Care A Certificate III qualification preparing individuals to work in Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and vacation care services for primary school-aged children. Delivered via self-paced online study with nationally recognised credential upon completion.
• Diploma of School Age Education and Care A Diploma-level qualification for educators working in school age care and OSHC services, supporting progression to lead educator or coordinator roles. Delivered via self-paced online study with nationally recognised credential upon completion.
• Course in Volunteer Literacy Tutoring at Secondary School Level A short course training volunteers to provide literacy tutoring support to secondary school students. Suitable for parents and community members supporting adolescent literacy.
• Certificate III in Business An entry-level Certificate III business qualification providing foundational skills for administrative and operational roles. Available as a traineeship pathway and via self-paced online study.
• Certificate IV in Business A Certificate IV business qualification developing skills for team leader, supervisor, or coordinator roles. Available as a traineeship pathway and via self-paced online study.
• Diploma of Business A Diploma-level business qualification providing skills for managerial or specialist business roles. Available as a traineeship pathway and via self-paced online study.
• Diploma of Leadership and Management A Diploma-level leadership qualification preparing individuals for management, team leadership, and operational leadership roles. Available as a traineeship pathway and via self-paced online study.
• Certificate III in Carpentry A Certificate III carpentry trade qualification for individuals pursuing a carpentry apprenticeship. Delivered as a traineeship/apprenticeship pathway combining workplace and structured learning.
• Certificate II in Maritime Operations A Certificate II qualification providing foundational skills for entry-level maritime operations roles.
• Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation A Certificate II qualification preparing individuals for entry-level work in the resources and infrastructure sector.
• Certificate I in Construction (CPC10120) An entry-level Certificate I construction qualification offered to secondary school students through the VET in Schools program as part of their senior secondary education.
• Certificate II in Construction Pathways (CPC20220) A Certificate II pre-apprenticeship construction qualification offered to secondary school students through the VET in Schools program.
• Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20422) A Certificate II pre-apprenticeship engineering qualification offered to secondary school students through the VET in Schools program.
• Certificate II in Sports Coaching (SIS20321) A Certificate II sports coaching qualification offered to secondary school students through the VET in Schools program.
• Certificate II in Sport and Recreation (SIS20122) A Certificate II sport and recreation qualification offered to secondary school students through the VET in Schools program.
• Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30321) A Certificate III fitness qualification offered to secondary school students through the VET in Schools program, providing foundation skills for fitness instruction roles.
• First Aid (HLTAID011) Provide First Aid A short course providing nationally recognised first aid certification (HLTAID011). Suitable for workplace and general first aid compliance.
• First Aid in Education and Care (HLTAID012) A short course providing first aid certification tailored to education and care settings (HLTAID012), required for many childcare and education workers.
• CPR Refresher (HLTAID009) A short CPR refresher course (HLTAID009) for individuals needing to renew their CPR certification, typically annually.
• White Card (General Construction Induction Training) A short course delivering the nationally recognised General Construction Induction card (White Card) required to work on construction sites in Australia.
• Introduction to Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) A free introductory short course introducing learners to working in Outside School Hours Care settings, suitable for prospective OSHC workers exploring the field.
• Identify and Report Children and Young People at Risk (CHCPRT025) A short course covering mandatory reporting requirements for identifying and reporting children and young people at risk (CHCPRT025). Relevant for education and care workers.
• Conduct Internal Audits A short course developing skills to plan and conduct internal audits, suitable for quality, compliance, and operational staff.
• Create Business Documents in MS Word A short course developing skills to create professional business documents using Microsoft Word.
• Create Spreadsheets in MS Excel A short course developing skills to create and manage spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel.
• Digital Literacy A short course developing general digital literacy skills for the modern workplace.
• Emotional Intelligence A short course developing emotional intelligence competencies for workplace and personal effectiveness.
• IT Security in a Home-Based Office A short course covering IT security fundamentals for remote and home-based office workers.
• Leadership in the Workplace A short course developing foundational leadership skills for team leaders and supervisors.
• Manage Change A short course developing skills to lead and manage organisational change initiatives.
• Manage Work Stress A short course developing skills to identify, manage, and mitigate workplace stress.
• Set up a Safe Home Based Business A short course covering safety and compliance requirements for operating a home-based business.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% student satisfaction maintained every year since 2011
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boat Coach Pty LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoat Coach Pty Ltd is a maritime training partner that conducts training and assessment for the Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal). They deliver the one-week practical training block and assist students through the AMPA process. This partnership enables Adapt Education to offer maritime qualifications despite lacking in-house maritime expertise.
• Bridgeview Training and HirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridgeview Training and Hire delivers the Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation on-site at their Breddan, QLD facility. They provide the 10-day practical training component with heavy equipment (excavator or haul truck) and classroom theory. Contact: 0414 327 328 or [email protected].
• Griffith UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation arrangement for the Bachelor of Child, Youth and Family Practice. Students completing the Diploma of School Age Education and Care may receive direct entry and 50CP (credit points) toward the bachelor's degree. University of the Sunshine Coast also offers direct entry options for Education Support qualifications.
• Australian Apprenticeship Support Network ProviderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Apprenticeship Network Providers (such as MRAEL or MEGT) for carpentry apprenticeship sign-up and training contract management. Students must be signed up through these providers for School Based Apprenticeships and full apprenticeships.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TAFE Queensland: Queensland's largest public vocational education provider, offering Certificate III/IV/Diploma qualifications across education support, business, trades, and OSHC-related fields — directly overlapping Adapt Education's core course portfolio and serving the same QLD-funded student base.
• Open Colleges: One of Australia's largest online VET providers delivering certificate and diploma-level qualifications via self-paced online learning — operates similar enrollment mechanics and competes head-to-head with Adapt for teacher aide, business, and vocational students.
• Foundation Education: Australian online VET provider delivering nationally recognised Certificate and Diploma courses including education support, business, and community services, with similar self-paced online delivery and government-funded pathways — a close competitor for Adapt's B2C online enrolments.
• Sarina Russo Institute: Established Australian RTO providing nationally recognised qualifications across business, community services, and vocational pathways with blended online and on-campus delivery — comparable in course mix, government funding participation, and target learner segments.
• Hader Institute of Education: Smaller RTO specialising in education support and CHC-aligned qualifications (Teacher Aide, Education Support) with online delivery — competes head-on with Adapt in the Certificate III/IV in School Based Education Support vertical.
• MCI Institute: Australian online vocational education provider delivering certificate and diploma qualifications in business, leadership, and community services through flexible self-paced study — directly comparable delivery model and learner demographic.
• Upskilled: Major online RTO offering nationally recognised vocational qualifications across business, education, and trades with flexible online delivery and payment plans, competing for the same self-paced adult learner segment Adapt addresses.

Regional players

• Chisholm Institute: Large Victorian TAFE delivering Certificate III/IV/Diploma qualifications across trades, business, and education support — comparable course portfolio but operating primarily in a different state funding regime, making it a regional rather than direct Queensland competitor.
• Holmesglen Institute: Major Victorian-based TAFE equivalent offering vocational qualifications including education support, business, building/construction, and short courses — similar institutional footprint to Adapt's offerings but operating in a different state-funded market.

Broad incumbents

• Study Group: Global education provider operating multiple vocational and higher-education brands (including through its acquisition of MCI Institute) across Australia — an established incumbent in the broader VET/professional education market where Adapt operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/adapt_education
• Facebookfacebook.com/adapteducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/adapt-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Adapt Education