USI and National Data Collection
Last reviewed: July 2026
This page explains how CAQA RTO, part of CAQA Groups and a Career Calling International initiative, handles two legal requirements that affect every student: the Unique Student Identifier (USI) and the reporting of enrolment data to the National VET Data Collection. It applies to everyone who enrols in a nationally recognised qualification or skill set through this website, and it should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
What a USI is and why you need one
Under the Student Identifiers Act 2014, every student undertaking nationally recognised training must hold a verified USI before a qualification or statement of attainment can be issued. Your USI is a reference number that creates a lifelong, secure online record of your nationally recognised training in Australia, letting you retrieve transcripts and prove your qualifications to employers and other training providers.
Getting a USI is free
Creating a USI is free at usi.gov.au. There is no cost or charge associated with obtaining one, and no fee is ever payable to CAQA RTO or anyone else for creating, locating or verifying a USI. Our team will help you create or locate your USI during enrolment; you can also authorise us to create one on your behalf. Be cautious of any third party that asks for payment for USI services.
What happens if you do not provide a USI
We cannot legally issue your testamur, qualification or statement of attainment until your USI is verified, even where you have completed all training and paid all fees. Exemptions exist only in narrow circumstances set by the Student Identifiers Registrar, and we will discuss these with you if they could apply.
The National VET Data Collection
As a registered training organisation, CAQA RTO is required by the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 and the Data Provision Requirements to collect and report enrolment and activity data in the AVETMISS format to the National VET Data Collection, managed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). This includes personal details, course and unit enrolments, outcomes and demographic information collected on your enrolment form.
How your reported data may be used
Data reported to the national collection may be used and disclosed by NCVER and government agencies for purposes including administration of VET, statistics and research, program evaluation and audit, and you may be contacted to participate in the NCVER Student Outcomes Survey or other approved surveys. A full privacy notice accompanies your enrolment form, and we never sell your data to anyone.
Information collected through this website
Browsing this website does not feed the national data collection. The website collects only what you choose to submit, such as enquiry details and newsletter subscriptions, which we use to respond to you and share course information. National data reporting begins only when you formally enrol under an Enrolment Agreement. No payments are taken through this website; course fees are managed under our Fees and Refunds policy.
Access, correction and retention
You may access and correct your enrolment records at any time by contacting info@caqa.com.au. Your first record of results is free, and records of qualifications issued are retained for 30 years. Our records and USI policy is available as a PDF, and you can retrieve your own USI transcript at any time through the USI Registry.
Concerns and complaints
If you believe your USI or reported data has been mishandled, raise it through our Complaints and Appeals process or contact our Privacy Officer at complaints@careercalling.com.au. You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner about privacy matters or the Student Identifiers Registrar about your USI account.
Limits of this information
This page summarises legal obligations in plain English and is general information only, not legal advice. The Student Identifiers Act 2014, the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 and the Data Provision Requirements prevail over any summary on this website, and the privacy notice provided with your enrolment form is the authoritative statement for your enrolment.
Contact us
You can reach our student support and enrolment team by telephone on 1800 266 160, by email at info@caqa.com.au, or through our contact page. We respond to most enquiries within one business day.