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ATIA Updates Training and Insurance Settings

ATIA Accredited members will benefit from broader recognition of industry qualifications and more proportionate insurance requirements following reforms under the 2025 ATAS Charter Review.
Now in effect, the changes reduce unnecessary cost and compliance friction, expand workforce pathways and better align accreditation settings with modern travel business models while maintaining the rigour and consumer protections that underpin the Scheme.

For members, this means:

• Broader recognition of qualifications beyond Certificate III
• Recognition of prior learning and frontline experience
• Insurance requirements aligned to actual business risk
• Removal of unnecessary duplication in cover

Broader Workforce Pathways
The requirement for 50 per cent of consumer-facing staff to hold a Certificate III has been replaced with a broader Recognised Industry Training framework.
Under the updated Charter, 50 per cent of consumer-facing staff must hold recognised qualifications or certifications approved by the Compliance Manager, with prior learning including at least two years’ frontline travel selling experience eligible for consideration.
This provides greater recruitment flexibility, recognises specialist skills and supports retention of experienced professionals, while maintaining professional standards.
ATIA has issued a Memorandum to Industry outlining accepted qualifications and certifications. The memorandum is available:
https://atia.travel/Portals/0/My%20AFTA/ATIA%20Workforce%20Memorandum%20to%20Industry.pdf?ver=y4CRlVWauUzny4VFRZeeyA%3d%3d

Smarter Insurance Settings
Insurance requirements have been refined to reflect business type and operational exposure.
Key changes include:

• While both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity are encouraged for all businesses, Public Liability Insurance no longer mandatory for businesses operating exclusively in a non in-person capacity
• Tour Operators not required to hold separate Professional Indemnity Insurance where Public Liability includes Errors & Omissions cover
• These refinements reduce unnecessary costs where risk does not apply, while maintaining safeguards that protect consumers and uphold the credibility of ATIA Accredited businesses.

Continued Investment in Accreditation 
The reforms follow an independent review of the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct, with the ATIA Board accepting the majority of recommendations to strengthen governance and long-term sustainability. The Board’s response is available here: 
https://atia.travel/Portals/0/ATAS%20Accreditation/01122025_ATAS%20Review_ATIA%20Response_FINAL.pdf?ver=nqBM6-SKvlijwF6Db-5azQ%3d%3d  

ATIA Accredited remains a powerful commercial differentiator, demonstrating financial compliance, professional capability and commitment to consumer support, giving members a competitive edge and travellers confidence they are booking with a business that meets rigorous national standards.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO AAC CHAIR DAVID WALKER:

“This is a significant step forward for our members. We’ve modernised the settings without lowering the bar and that’s the balance that matters.
“The travel industry has evolved rapidly over the past decade. Our accreditation must evolve with it, recognising real skills, real experience and real business models.”
“These reforms strengthen the credibility of ATIA Accredited while making it more commercially practical to align cover requirements with risk. That’s a win for members and a win for travellers.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA VICE CHAIR AND TOUR OPERATOR REPRESENTATIVE TONI AMBLER:
“This also demonstrates our commitment to ensuring ATIA accreditation is fit for purpose for all ATIA Members.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG:
“We’re interested in standards that actually reflect how modern travel businesses operate.”
“By broadening recognised qualifications, we’re saying clearly: experience counts, specialist skills count, and the industry’s diversity counts.”
“ATIA Accredited isn’t standing still. We are continuously investing in it, strengthening it and ensuring it delivers real commercial value for members while giving travellers absolute confidence.”