The new National VET Data Policy
The new policy which aims to ensure students are better informed of how their information will be used, more able to access a complete record of their training via their USI portal, and to simplify RTO regulation was announced by the Department of Education and Training on 29th November, 2017. See news release here.
Mandatory changes
You will need to update their enrolment form to include the new Privacy Notice and Student Declaration. A new sample enrolment form is available for download here.
Students who have enrolled in a course prior to 1 January 2018 and participating in nationally recognised training after 1st January 2018 will need to sign or electronically accept a new Privacy Notice and Student Declaration.
Best practice:
You may also like to:
- Update your Privacy Policy to ensure it aligns correctly with the redefined rules in relation to disclosure and use of data from the collections held by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Update your legislation register or documents that may refer to the previous policy titled National VET Provider Collection Data Requirements Policy.
Reporting exemptions have been removed or reduced
Reporting exemptions are now only available for specific programs or students where the collection of submission of data would conflict with defence or national security legislation; or could jeopardise the security of defence, border protection, customs, national security or police personnel.
Reporting exemptions for RTOs are only available where the:
- a. RTO is providing emergency or safety related services to the Australian community; and
- b. RTO is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission and
- c. RTO provides volunteers, employees, contractors or other students with Nationally Recognised Training for which it receives no payment and
- d. ability of the RTO to provide services to the community may be adversely impacted if it was required to collect and submit data compliant with AVETMISS for the National VET Provider Collection on all students.
Enterprise RTOs are now required to report full Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) data on all their students, not just those who commenced after 1 January 2014.
- RTOs delivering short stand-alone courses are now required to report full Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) data on all their students.
- Additionally these RTOs are reminded that the temporary exemption allowing RTOs delivering nationally recognised training courses in a single day to issue a VET qualification or statement of attainment to a student who has not provided their USI lapses on 31 December 2017, as scheduled.
Please refer to the FAQs for more information if you are affected by the change to exemptions.
Reminders:
When do we have to implement changes by?
The National VET Data Policy (the Policy) takes effect on 1 January 2018 with a six-month transition period until 1 July 2018. The transition period will allows RTOs time to prepare for and adjust their practices and for RTOs seeking to claim exemptions under the Policy to consult with their VET regulator.