FAQs

  • Create a USI step by step

    Creating a Unique Student Identifier (USI) is quick, easy and free. Below is a step by step tutorial showing you exactly what you will need to follow to create your USI.

    If you are creating a USI on behalf of another person, see the step by step guide.

    1. Have a valid form of ID handy

      Have at least one form of current and valid ID handy that we will accept. See the full list of ID types here! Don't worry, we accept many forms of ID and most people will own not one but two or three forms of ID we accept. If you do not have one of these forms of ID contact your training organisation for assistance.

      IMPORTANT: When you create your USI, enter your details exactly as they appear on your form of ID.

    2. Go to the USI Creation page

      The page is located here, but read this whole page first!

    3. Next agree to the Terms and Conditions

      If you see the Terms and Conditions page then tick the appropriate box below. If you don't see it, don't panic just go straight to step 4.

      • Read the content on the page

      • A Check box

      • B Check box

      • C Click the "Next" button

    4. Evidence of Identity and Personal Details

      • A Select the evidence of identity document (ID) you will be using to create your USI. See what types of ID you can use here.

      Enter your personal details or if you have a problem with them get more information here.

      IMPORTANT: Enter your details exactly as they appear on your form of ID.

      • B Select whether you have a first name and a family name or if you only have one name

      • C Enter your name(s)

        Note: If the name you most commonly use for business or official purposes is not the name on your form of ID for USI purposes, you can choose to enter this other name in the preferred name field.

      • D Enter, and confirm, your date of birth

      • E Enter your gender

      • F Enter your country and place of birth

        Note: Your gender does not need to be reflected on your form of ID when creating a USI.

    5. Contact details

      Enter as many of the contact details as you can or if you have a problem with them get more information here.

      • A Enter your "Email Address" (needs to be unique to you)

      • B Enter your "Mobile Phone" number

      • C Enter your "Home Phone" number

      • D Enter your "Address Details"

      • E Click on the "Next" button

    6. Confirming your identity

      Once you have entered your details, the USI Registry System will check and confirm your identity using the ‘Documentation Verification Service’ (DVS).

    7. Securing your account

      Next set your USI password and check questions.

    8. You're done!

      Your USI will now be displayed on the screen and will have been sent to you for your records. Please keep a record of this number as this USI is yours for life!

      If you are enrolling in training your training organisation will need to collect and verify your USI. To help your training organisation to do this, you may want to print or email your USI verification details from this screen.

      You can also set up access for organisations to view and/or update your USI account. You can also set up access for organisations to view your transcript. Providing access to your USI account and your transcript may assist your training organisation to process your enrolment.

    9. What now?

      Each time you enrol with a new training organisation remember to give them your USI, either by email or by providing access!

    Create a USI

  • The Document Verification Service (DVS) is not working, how can I finish creating my USI?

    If the DVS service is unavailable you may need to try again later as the computer system for the particular department that checks the document you are using is not available at that time. You could try using another form of ID instead.

  • How will I know if a USI account has been created for me by a training provider?

    The Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar will send you an email, text message or letter to the contact details provided. To ensure account security, the notification will include the USI and a link to activate your account by setting a password and check questions and answers.

  • I have two USI's, what do I do?

  • My details match another USI but I haven't created one yet

    Screen shot of the USI Registry System indicating where the Help request button is

    If you are studying at a training organisation they may have created a USI account on your behalf. If you are not currently studying and believe that a training organisation has not created a USI on your behalf or another student may have similar details to you.

    Please try to create a USI again. If after three failed attempts this continues you will be able to raise a Help Request by clicking on ‘request help’ and a Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar staff member will contact you. Please make sure your contact details are correct.

    I want to try again

  • What does activating your USI account mean?

    An activation link is sent to either your email or mobile number or as a last option to your mailing address. Activating your account means using the activation link that was sent to your nominated contact details to set up your account information, and password and security check questions. Once completed, you will be able to log in to your account. Your training provider cannot do this part for you.

  • What if another USI account matches my details?

    There could be 3 reasons for this:

    • You could have forgotten that you created a USI
    • Your Training Organisation may have created one for you
    • There could be someone with similar details to yours

    You can use the 'Find your USI' page to check if you already have a USI.

    If this doesn't work, please contact us.

  • Create your USI using a Digital Identity step by step

    Below is a step by step tutorial showing you exactly what you will need to follow to create your USI with a Digital Identity.

    USI is conducting a beta of a new trusted government service to prove who you are online: it’s called a Digital Identity. Creating a Digital Identity is like doing a 100-point identification check. Creating and using a Digital Identity is a personal choice and is completely voluntary.

    For more information visit our Digital Identity page.

    If you are creating a USI on behalf of another person, use this step by step guide instead.

    1. Meet the eligibility requirements

      You will need to have:

      • A smart device, Apple IOS 10 or later OR Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later
      • Be over 15 years of age
      • Be applying for yourself and not on behalf of someone else
      • Have a unique email address that belongs to you and isn’t shared with anyone else
      • Have two of the following Australian identity documents (your name must match in each):
        • Driver’s licence or learner’s permit
        • Passport
        • Birth certificate
        • Medicare card
        • Visa (using your foreign passport)

      If you cannot say YES to all the above requirements you cannot create a USI with a Digital Identity.

      You can still use our traditional method to create a USI. More information can be found on our Create a USI page.

    2. Go to the USI Creation page

      The page is located here, but read this whole page first!

    3. Next agree to the Terms and Conditions

      If you see the Terms and Conditions page then tick the appropriate box below. If you don't see it, don't panic just go straight to step 4.

      • Read the content on the page

      • A Check box

      • B Click the "Next" button

    4. Choose Digital Identity

      Select Create USI by Digital Identity

    5. Do you already have Digital Identity?

      You will be asked if you already have a Digital Identity.

    6. Check your eligibility

      If you don’t have a myGovID and selected NO in Step 5, you will be asked to answer the eligibility questions for the creation of a Digital Identity.

      If the eligibility requirements are NOT met you cannot create a Digital Identity.

      You can still use our traditional method to create a USI. More information can be found on our Create a USI page.

    7. Select your identity provider

      Select myGovID and follow the prompts to either set up your Digital Identity or use your existing Digital Identity.

    8. Provide consent

      When your myGovID login is successful, you will need to provide Consent to Share with Department of Education Skills and Employment.

    9. Personal details

      Your name and date of birth will show exactly as they appear in your Digital Identity and cannot be edited.

      Note: If the name you most commonly use for business or official purposes is not the name on your form of ID for USI purposes, you can choose to enter this other name in the preferred name field.

      • F Enter your gender
      • G Enter your country and place of birth

    10. Contact details

      Your email address will be populated with the one you provided for your Digital Identity and cannot be changed.

      Enter only one more contact method.

      • H Enter your "Mobile Phone" number, or
      • I Enter your "Home Phone" number, or
      • J Enter your "Address Details"
      • K Click on the "Next" button

    11. Confirm your details

      L Check the details and, if they are all correct, select Confirm .

    12. Securing your account

      Next set your USI password and check questions.

    13. You're done!

      Your USI will now be displayed on the screen and will have been sent to you for your records. Please keep a record of this number as this USI is yours for life!

      If you are enrolling in training your training organisation will need to collect and verify your USI. To help your training organisation to do this, you may want to print or email your USI verification details from this screen.

      You can also set up access for organisations to view and/or update your USI account. You can also set up access for organisations to view your transcript. Providing access to your USI account and your transcript may assist your training organisation to process your enrolment.

    14. What now?

      Each time you enrol with a new training organisation remember to give them your USI, either by email or by providing access!

    Create a USI