Glossary of terms

This is a list of common terms used in the USI Portals and Registry System, that have specific meaning in the Unique Student Identifier (USI) context.

USI account holder

Any person with an active USI account who has set a password and security/check questions.

Student

Any person enrolled to study in Australia.

Education or Training Provider

Any person or organisation that delivers education or training in Australia.

Authorised Representative

A person or organisation given permission by the USI account holder to:

• make enquiries
• update the USI account holder’s personal or contact details
• to get a copy of the USI account holder’s VET transcript.

Read more about Authorised Representatives.

Third Party

Depending on the context, this could mean an employer, education or training provider, licensing body, or another professional organisation working in the education or training sector.

Nationally recognised training

Any program that leads to vocational qualifications and credentials recognised across Australia.

Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is a training organisation listed on the National Training Register.

Vocational education and training (VET)

Vocational education and training (VET) is practical skill-based training that prepares students for the workplace. This includes through a certificate or an apprenticeship. VET is delivered through TAFE institutes and other registered training organisations (RTOs).

VET Related Bodies (VRBs)

A VRB is defined as:

• a Department of the Commonwealth, or a Department of a State or Territory, that deals with matters relating to VET (including the funding of VET).
• a body (whether incorporated or not) established by or under a law of the Commonwealth, a State, or a Territory that performs functions relating to VET (including the funding of VET).
• a VET Regulator (within the meaning of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011).
• an entity specified in an instrument under subsection (3).

VET Admission Bodies (VABs)

Under the Student Identifiers (VET Admission Bodies) Instrument 2015, the following organisations qualify as VABs:

• a government or non-government school authority or individual school whose students undertake a VET-delivered-in-secondary-schools program.
• an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider contracted by the Commonwealth.
• a Commonwealth, state, or territory correctional services facility.
• an organisation that is a VET Related Body (VRB).
• one of the four agencies nominated in the Instrument that manage admissions to VET.

Higher Education

Also known as tertiary education, higher education consists of awards spanning Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels 5-10. This includes but is not limited to:

• diplomas
• advanced diplomas
• associate degrees
• bachelor's degrees (including honours)
• master's degrees and doctoral degrees.

Higher Education Provider

Higher education provider (HEP) means:

1. a constitutional corporation that offers or confers a regulated higher education award
2. a corporation that:
   1. offers or confers a regulated higher education award
   2. is established by or under a law of the Commonwealth or a Territory
3. a person who offers or confers a regulated higher education award for the completion of a course of study provided wholly or partly in a Territory.

Tertiary Admission Centre

Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) means a person, body or organisation that provides services in relation to student admissions and enrolments on behalf of registered higher education providers.

Statement of Attainment 

A Statement of Attainment is a document that shows a student has completed a number of units of study in a nationally recognised course. It is issued when a student has successfully completed the required competencies for that qualification.

Award

A degree, diploma, certificate or other certification of academic achievement granted to a student by an education institution.