Help students avoid common USI account creation errors

Creating a USI using a student's correct personal and contact details helps ensure they can access their USI account when they need it and reduces the need for follow-up administration and support from your organisation. Accurate information supports reliable student records and enables the USI to remain an important data linkage.

Errors made during USI creation can lead to ongoing access issues for students, including difficulty verifying their identity or retrieving account details, and can lead to problems where duplicate USIs are created for the same individual.

Common issues include:

• recording student names inconsistently or in a way that does not match their 
  verifiable ID
• entering provider contact details instead of student details
• using a training, work, school or shared email address rather than a personal email address.

How you can help

You can help students maintain access to their USI account by:

• creating a student’s USI using their current personal and contact details (email and mobile)
• confirming names are recorded for both your organisation and USI purposes exactly as they appear on verifiable ID (including spelling, middle names, hyphens and apostrophes) 
• encouraging students to keep their details up to date after creating their USI account to maintain access over time, including when they change their name
• in limited circumstances, where your organisation may use alternative forms of ID through the Document Verification Service Override process:
  • ensure students do not provide an alternative name, such as a nick name, preferred name or alias
  • carefully check that the details entered into the system match the ID provided, including the spelling of the student’s name.

Your support in making sure student details are correct at the time of USI creation helps students to create and maintain access to their USI account, reduces avoidable account issues and administrative effort, and contributes to an efficient and effective experience for both students and providers.