Crest of the Australian Government Unique Student Identifier-Logo

USI exemptions

Exemptions for students

Higher education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) students can apply to the Student Identifiers Registrar to be exempt from needing a USI.
 
If an exemption is granted, the Student Identifiers Registrar issues a letter confirming the student does not need a USI to receive their qualification or statement of attainment. The student is prompted to provide a copy of their letter to their provider to demonstrate they are exempt from having a USI.

When a student provides a copy of a USI exemption letter, providers do not need to:

  • enquire with the student about the reason they are exempt
  • ask the student to sign/accept a government-based privacy notice (the provider may have their own internal privacy notice about data they collect for their own use).

Instructions for training or education providers – student exemptions

Providers delivering VET training should refer to Fact-Sheet-USI-validation for details on how to meet their AVETMISS reporting obligations, or contact the NCVER by emailing them at support@ncver.edu.au.

Higher Education providers should email TCSIsupport@education.gov.au for guidance on how to satisfy their reporting requirements.

Information for Registered Training Organisations

VET exemptions from reporting the USI

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) with an exemption won’t need to include a USI in Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) compliant data submissions to the National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Provider Collection.

If you are delivering exempted training you are required to inform your students before their commencement, that their training will not:
•    appear on their USI VET transcript
•    be included in the National VET Provider Collection.

VET exemptions for training providers

A provider can be exempted by their regulator from the need to collect and submit AVETMISS compliant data. Under section 5.3 of the National VET Data Policy, this can be on the grounds that submission of such data would:

  • conflict with defence or national security legislation
  • jeopardise the security or safety of defence, border protection, customs, national security or police personnel.

RTOs can be exempted from reporting AVETMISS data if doing so would adversely affect their ability to continue to deliver vital community services to the Australian community. Section 5.5 of the National VET Data Policy provides more information about such exemptions.

An exemption does not apply if the student provides their USI to the RTO. In this instance, the RTO must report the AVETMISS compliant data. This is to ensure that students get the benefit of having their qualifications appear on their VET transcript.

Determining a VET exemption for training providers

RTOs must consult their VET regulator for an exemption. They’ll need to provide evidence to support their exemption application. An exemption doesn’t apply until the relevant regulator advises the RTO in writing. The regulator will also notify the National Centre for Vocational Education Research about the exemption.

More information

Related pages

Did you find the information you were looking for on this page?
On a scale of 1 to 5, please provide a rating for how useful the information on this page was in answering your question.
Poor
Excellent
Did you find the content on this page easy to understand?
Don’t include personal or financial information. For example your phone number, email or credit card details.

If you need help, please call us on 1300 857 536 or from outside on Australia +61 2 6240 8740. Our contact centre is open between 8:30am-6.30pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time), Monday to Friday (excluding national and South Australian public holidays).

OR

If you would like to provide feedback, please complete the feedback form.

Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar (OSIR)
Last Modified on Thursday 3rd August 2023 [258]