Student enrolments from Google Ads. In 14 days. Without breaking ASQA.
Google Ads for Australian RTOs - by someone running live campaigns this week, not last year.
Google Ads campaigns built around qualification codes, ASQA-compliant ad copy that actually converts, and dedicated landing pages per qualification. Live campaigns running right now for Australian RTO clients including WorkForce Training Group and IEFP. Same playbook, applied to yours.
14 days
From setup to enquiries
From AUD 1,200/mo
Management retainer
ASQA-safe
Compliance built in
THE PROBLEM
Why Google Ads burns money for most Australian RTOs.
Three problems quietly drain ad budget in 90% of RTO campaigns I audit. Most agencies don't even know they're causing them.
Wrong keywords, wasted spend
Generic agencies target broad terms like 'training courses Perth' or 'short courses'. Prospective students search 'CHC33015 Perth' or 'White Card online'. The campaign costs triple what it should, attracts unqualified clicks, and converts at a fraction of what it could.
ASQA-violating ad copy
'Guaranteed job after course'. 'Government-funded for everyone'. 'Get qualified in 4 weeks'. These phrases get ads approved by Google - and trigger ASQA marketing compliance issues. Most agencies have never read the 2025 Standards. You'll find out at audit time.
Landing pages that don't convert
Click goes to your generic 'Courses' page or homepage. No course-specific information. No fee transparency. No clear enrolment CTA. Visitor lands, can't find what they searched for, bounces. The click cost AUD 12. The enquiry never comes.
THE SOLUTION
RTO-specific Google Ads, built by someone running them this week.
Real RTO Google Ads start with qualification keyword research, ad copy that converts without breaking ASQA compliance, landing pages built per qualification, and negative keyword lists that block irrelevant clicks before they cost you money. I currently run live campaigns for Australian RTO clients including WorkForce Training Group and IEFP - the same playbook applied to your campaign. Targeting that respects your delivery footprint. Copy that respects ASQA rules. Landing pages that respect the actual student decision journey. First enquiries typically arrive within 14 days of going live.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Active Google Ads management for your RTO. Every week.
Qualification keyword targeting
Campaigns built around qualification codes and the exact phrases prospective students search. Mapped from training.gov.au, not generic keyword tools that don't understand the VET sector.
ASQA-compliant ad copy
Ad copy that converts without prohibited employment guarantees, misleading funding claims, or fake urgency. Built from the 2025 Standards - so your ads pass Google approval AND ASQA marketing scrutiny.
Per-qualification landing pages
Dedicated landing pages for each campaign. Fee transparency, course details, entry requirements, intake dates, enrolment CTA. No clutter. No distractions. Built to convert the click into an enquiry.
Negative keyword management
Block clicks from irrelevant searches - free TAFE courses, job searches, qualification meaning queries. Tighter targeting, lower cost per enquiry, more qualified leads. Updated weekly as new patterns emerge.
Conversion tracking and CRM sync
Every enquiry tracked back to the campaign, keyword, and ad. Integration with your SMS or CRM so leads flow to the right place automatically. You see exactly what each enrolment cost you to acquire.
Weekly optimisation, monthly reporting
Weekly bid adjustments, keyword refinement, ad copy testing, landing page improvements. Monthly performance report in plain language - not a 200-page PDF you'll never read.
HOW IT WORKS
From setup to live campaigns. 3 weeks.
Setup and Audit
Account setup or audit of your existing Google Ads account. Qualification keyword research mapped to training.gov.au. Campaign structure designed around your courses, locations, and delivery modes.
Landing Pages and Tracking
Per-qualification landing pages built and tested. Conversion tracking installed on every form, phone click, and CTA. CRM or SMS integration tested end-to-end so no enquiry slips through.
Launch
Campaigns go live. Daily monitoring for the first 5 to 7 days to catch anything Google decides to do unexpectedly. Quick optimisation passes. First enquiries typically arrive within days.
Optimise and Scale
Weekly bid management, negative keyword expansion, ad copy split testing, landing page conversion improvements. Monthly reporting. Scale spend on what works, cut what doesn't.
REAL CAMPAIGNS
Live campaigns running right now for Australian RTOs.
I currently run live Google Ads for Australian RTO clients including WorkForce Training Group (RTO 46093, Perth) and IEFP. Qualification-focused targeting. ASQA-safe copy frameworks. Dedicated landing pages per qualification. Weekly optimisation cadence. Specific numbers vary by sector, qualification, and delivery footprint - some sectors have AUD 4 cost-per-click, others AUD 18. I'll show you realistic projections for your specific qualifications on the strategy call, based on what's currently happening in your category.
PRICING
Two ways to pay. Pick what fits your stage.
Either a fixed monthly retainer or a percentage of your ad spend. Both include the full work scope - keyword research, ad copy, landing pages, optimisation, and reporting. Pick the model that matches your scale.
Fixed Retainer - Starter
From AUD 1,200/mo
For RTOs with under AUD 5,000/mo ad spend
Fixed monthly fee for smaller campaigns. Qualification keyword research. ASQA-compliant ad copy. Up to 3 per-qualification landing pages. Conversion tracking setup. Weekly optimisation. Monthly reporting. Ideal for RTOs testing Google Ads or running 1-3 priority qualifications.
Performance - % of Ad Spend
15-20% of ad spend
For RTOs with AUD 5,000-30,000/mo ad spend
Performance-aligned pricing - my fee scales with your ad spend. Full campaign management across all qualifications and locations. Unlimited landing pages. Full CRM/SMS integration. Weekly optimisation. Monthly strategy review. Best for RTOs actively scaling enrolments through paid search.
Enterprise - Custom
Custom
For multi-state RTOs with AUD 30,000+/mo ad spend
Custom engagement for larger RTOs running multiple campaigns across states and qualification categories. Includes dedicated strategist time, quarterly business reviews, multi-channel attribution, and integrated reporting across Google Ads, SEO, and direct enquiry sources.
FAQs
Common questions about RTO Google Ads.
What is the minimum monthly ad spend?
AUD 1,000 minimum per month in actual ad spend (paid directly to Google, separate from my management fee). Below that, there isn't enough data for Google's algorithm to optimise effectively and you'll just burn budget without learning anything. AUD 2,500 to 5,000 monthly spend is where most Australian RTO campaigns find their stride.
How is your fee structured?
Two options. Fixed retainer from AUD 1,200/month for smaller campaigns - predictable cost regardless of ad spend. OR percentage of ad spend (typically 15 to 20 percent) for larger campaigns - my fee scales with your campaign size. Both include the full work scope: keyword research, ad copy, landing pages, optimisation, reporting. We'll pick the model that fits your scale on the call.
How long until I see enquiries?
Usually within the first 14 days of campaigns going live. Google Ads is fast compared to SEO. The first month is about generating data and finding what converts. The second month is about optimisation. The third month is where the campaign performance stabilises and you can confidently scale spend on what works.
Can you fix my existing campaigns instead of starting over?
Yes. Account audits are part of the first month for existing campaigns. Sometimes the fix is restructuring (keep what works, replace what doesn't). Sometimes it's rebuilding from scratch because the foundation is wrong. I'll tell you on the call after looking at the account - and if it's just a few quick fixes, I'll often suggest you do those yourself rather than charge you to do them.
Do you work with Search, Performance Max, and YouTube ads?
Yes. Search campaigns for high-intent qualification keywords - this is where most RTO budget should go. Performance Max for broader awareness across Google's network. YouTube ads for top-of-funnel awareness in specific categories. The mix depends on your goals, budget, and qualification mix. I don't push channels you don't need.
What happens to my Google Ads account if we stop working together?
It stays yours. I work on your account, not mine. Everything is in your business name and ownership - the Google Ads account, the landing pages, the conversion tracking, the campaign data, the keyword research. If you end the engagement, you keep full access and everything that's been built. No lock-in, no hostage-taking, no migration fees.
What if Google Ads doesn't work for my RTO?
Google Ads works for almost every RTO with qualifications that have search demand - because students are searching qualification codes on Google every day. What varies is the cost per enrolment, which depends on your sector, competition, and conversion infrastructure. The free RTO Scorecard gives a realistic forecast before you commit. If the numbers genuinely don't work for your category, I'll tell you - and recommend SEO, partnerships, or other channels instead.
More details
Full breakdown.
Real RTO Google Ads start with qualification keyword research, ad copy that converts without breaking ASQA compliance, landing pages built per qualification, and negative keyword lists that block irrelevant clicks before they cost you money. I currently run live campaigns for Australian RTO clients including WorkForce Training Group and IEFP – the same playbook applied to your campaign. Targeting that respects your delivery footprint. Copy that respects ASQA rules. Landing pages that respect the actual student decision journey. First enquiries typically arrive within 14 days of going live.
Start running ads that actually enrol students.
Free 30-minute strategy call. I'll audit your current Google Ads account or scope a new build, depending on where you are. Honest forecast of what's realistic for your specific qualifications. No pressure, no obligation.
Book a Strategy Call →