In April 2012, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the implementation of a specially designed tool known as the Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI is a reference​ number that stays with a person for life. It is intended to provide students with a full record of their VET achievements regardless of where they were completed.

The Student Identifiers Act 2014 was passed in June 2014, and the USI scheme came into effect on 1 January 2015. As a result, RTOs must have a valid and verified USI for each student before a testamur or statement of attainment can be issued to that person, unless an exemption applies.

If an exemption applies under the Student Identifiers Act 2014, the RTO must inform the student prior to commencement that the training will not appear on any authenticated VET transcript prepared by the Student Identifiers Registrar.

RTOs must also protect the USI to ensure students' privacy and for this reason it must not appear on testamurs or statements of attainment.

The USI will be reported through Total VET Activity (TVA) reporting.​

For further information, resources and technical support, please visit the USI website or contact the USI Taskforce.

​