The Student Training Activity Reporting System (STARS) is the IT system that underpins the new vocational education and training (VET) data reporting process. It connects with Student Management Systems (SMSs) and State and Territory Training Authorities, enabling the sector to validate and submit data without the need to extract NAT files.
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All organisations that report VET Activity Data will benefit from STARS, even if they do not interact with it directly. STARS will enable the NCVER to collect VET Information Standard compliant data more efficiently, while supporting both SMS vendors and STAs to develop more innovative solutions for RTOs. Funded RTOs will also find it easier to meet reporting requirements across multiple State and Territory Authorities (STAs).
STARS uses APIs to connect with SMSs, allowing data to be organised and transferred automatically between systems. RTOs will be required to capture student activity data, validate it, and submit it in line with the Data Provision Requirements, all within their existing SMS environments. This approach will reduce manual data handling, minimise errors, and streamline submission processes.
STARS is currently under development, with API connections expected to be built, tested and released to eligible RTOs in 2026. This release will be the first stage of a phased rollout, with future releases supporting the transition of all RTOs to the new reporting environment by the end of 2028.