The VET Data Streamlining program showcases include program updates, Q&As and program product demonstrations.
On this page:
Catch up on the most recent showcase.
A sector wide briefing on the newly published Data Provision Requirements amendments and VET Information Standard.
Questions
Below are questions asked in the most recent showcase, which we have seen as of relevance or use to the broader VET sector. Please note some questions are amalgamated due to similarity, and all answers should be considered point in time. If you have further questions, please reach out to VDSengagement@dewr.gov.au.
Are there URLs available for the new DPRs and VET Information Standard websites?
The new Data Provision Requirements amendments website can be found at VET activity data. The new VET Information Standard website can be found at VET Information Standard.
Do all SMS suppliers have access to the VET data system so they can develop and update their systems for RTOs?
All SMS suppliers can register for the VDS Developer Portal where they can access technical resources to connect to VET Data Streamlining APIs. If you are unsure if your supplier is currently involved in this process, we encourage you to reach out to them to check.
Will STARS provide the data validation?
All data validation and submission will occur in an RTO's SMS. For more information on the changes to data validation go to the Technology and systems page on the VET Information Standard website.
Do SMS suppliers need to build all the validation rules into their systems, or will SMS systems will return the validation errors from STARS (per how TCSI works)?
All data validation and submission will occur in an RTO's SMS. The SMS will call validation services through the APIs to STARS. STARS will provisionally validate data held in the SMS, and it will only accept the submission of validated data. For more information on the changes to data validation go to the technology and systems page on the VET Information Standard website.
Are the API specifications available now, and is there a test system which can be used by RTOs with bespoke SMS solutions?
There is a VDS Developer Portal available where SMS suppliers (including RTOs with bespoke SMS solutions) can access technical resources to connect to VET Data Streamlining APIs. To register for the developer portal, please head to How to access and connect to the Developer Portal | VET Information Standard.
For the indirect states is there a common technical interface RTOs/SMS use to submit to the state, or does each state define its own? Is there indirect-pathway technical guidance coming?
Indirect states will be developing their own SMS integration APIs and will work with SMS suppliers to facilitate connections. Technical guidance will be made available as jurisdictional system development progresses.
When will the AVETMISS-to-VET IS mapping be published and will it be final or draft?
The AVETMISS 8 to VET Information Standard mapping guide is available on the new VET Information Standard website.
Does this project include any updates to the learner and employer engagement surveys?
The learner and employer engagement surveys are a separate initiative and changes to them are not in scope for the VDS program.
Will VDS impact VET Student Loan data reporting?
The process of reporting VET Student Loans through Tertiary Collection of Student Information (TCSI) will not change because of the VDS program.
Disabilities are currently reported as two-digit codes that mostly match the TCSI codes. What do RTOs need to report for this field in the future?
You can understand more about how data fields will be completed in the new ways of reporting by reviewing the new VET Information Standard.
Is the VET Information Standard available in a machine-readable or API-accessible form or is it only available through the on-screen interactive tool and the printable PDF?
The VET Information Standard is published as an interactive tool and downloadable pdf. The Developer Portal publishes APIs that help SMS suppliers build their systems in alignment with the VET Information Standard. This is so suppliers have some flexibility in how they present interfaces to their clients while maintaining alignment with the requirements of the standard.
Why have you called a field "Student Status"?
'Student Status' is an essential component to the changes being made to AVETMISS to enable reporting to focus on the student learning journey, rather than progress through a qualification.
How will the “Student Status” field work if a student has been admitted to several courses? Will a student need to remain "enrolled" until they have finished everything they have ever enrolled in?
'Student Status' shows a student's progress through an enrolment and indicates their registration, commencement, deferral, cancellation or completion of a 'Program' as well as their commencement and completion of a 'subject'. This means a student enrolled in multiple subjects will have 'commenced' their program, and 'commenced' each subject. More guidance on how to report against a 'Student State' is available on the VET Information Standard website.
What does the nominal hours page look like?
The nominal hours page can be found at Nationally agreed nominal hours | VET Information Standard.
Can an RTO submit notice that they are ready transition from 1 Oct 2026 onwards?
The earliest an RTO may transition is from 1 October, 2026. However, this is dependent on the eligibility of the RTO and the readiness of their SMS. More information about RTO transition is available on the RTO transition journey page of the VET Information Standard website.
Will all RTOs move to the VET Information Standard regardless of whether they are early adopters? Or do they stay on AVETMISS 8 until they transition?
RTOs will be reporting under the current AVETMISS until they transition to the new VET Information Standard – either through proactively nominating a transition date, or by waiting until the mandatory transition for the 2029 reporting year. More information about RTO transition is available on the RTO transition journey page of the VET Information Standard website and the DEWR Reporting under the VET Information Standard page. We are still confirming the specific arrangements for the submission pathways for each individual state or territory, including arrangements for them to pass Fee-For-Service data on to NCVER on your behalf. If you report any funded data to a State/Territory Training Authority (STA), you will be unable to transition any of your reporting until they are ready.
Will AVS be available till the end of the entire transition?
AVS will continue to be available to RTOs reporting under AVETMISS until the reporting windows for the 2028 reporting year have closed (28 February 2029).
Previous showcases
Missed a previous showcase? Catch up below.