FAQs about becoming AVETMISS compliant
The Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) for VET Providers is a national data standard that ensures the consistent and accurate capture and reporting of VET information about students. NCVER is the custodian of the Standard. This Standard forms the basis for collecting data for the National VET Provider Collection.
What doesn’t AVETMISS include? While the AQTF Competency Completion rate indicator and Quality Indicator Learner and Employer surveys are data collections, they are not part of AVETMISS compliance. For more information about the AQTF Quality Indicators for RTOs please refer to training.com: http://www.training.com.au/Pages/menuitem91680afeb6aca8d49215a2b917a62dbc.aspx
What is the relationship between the Competency Completion rate indicator and the National VET Provider Collection? If RTOs submit AVETMISS data into the National VET Provider Collection before the due date (as advised by the State Training Authority) or by 31 March (if submitting directly to NCVER), it will be automatically loaded into the Competency Completion On-Line System (CCOS). Any additional activity that has not been included within the National VET Provider Collection will need to be entered directly by the RTO into CCOS. For specific information about CCOS please refer to the Help section of the CCOS website: http://rto.ncver.edu.au/Help.php
Why are RTOs required to have an AVETMISS compliant student record management system? In December 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to amendments to the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) that strengthen the regulatory requirements underpinning the VET sector. These amendments introduced conditions and reinforced the standards for initial registration of new providers and strengthen the requirements for ongoing registration, including stronger financial viability and fee protection conditions. It is a requirement of the AQTF under Condition 6 that registered training organisations (RTOs) have a student records management system that has the capacity to provide AVETMISS compliant data.
What information do RTOs need to collect? NCVER suggests that RTOs collect and store in their student management system, information about all of their nationally recognised training activity according to the AVETMIS Standard. The benefits of submitting this information include confirmation that the data submitted is AVETMISS compliant (Please refer to: What are the benefits for RTOs if they chose to voluntarily send their fee-for-service data to either the state training authority or directly to NCVER?). AVETMISS covers students and their enrolments: who they are, where they study and what they study, for example:
What do AVETMISS (NAT) Files look like?
What does AVETMISS compliance mean? To be AVETMISS compliant, RTOs must have a student records management system which is capable of storing and exporting the data outlined in the AVETMIS Standard. One way to test AVETMISS compliance is for RTOs to export the AVETMISS data files from their student record management system and validate them using the free software provided by NCVER. The validation software checks that the data has been entered in the correct AVETMISS format and according to the rules provided in the AVETMIS Standard A copy of the validation software is available on this website http://www.ncver.edu.au/avetmiss/21058.html. If the data passes the validation process error free, then the student record management system will be deemed to be AVETMISS compliant. Presently the Validation Software can only be loaded to a Macintosh Operating System if it has a PC parallel operations system (i.e. Windows for Mac). RTOs currently submitting data to the relevant state/territory training authority are already AVETMISS compliant.This pdf provides a step by step quick guide to using the AVETMISS validation software.
The AQTF requirement under Condition 6 means RTOs must have a student records management system by 3 January 2011 which can, when required, provide data that is AVETMISS compliant.
Do RTOs need to purchase a special system to comply with this AQTF Condition? There is no need for RTOs to purchase a special system to comply with this AQTF Condition. Many RTOs already have a student records management system. This may be in the form of: a system developed in-house commercial software purchased by the RTO; or a system provided by the relevant state / territory training authority. The system chosen needs to be based on the RTO’s business needs and, where relevant, the reporting requirements of the state/territory training authorities. Some jurisdictions have additional publically funded reporting requirements and their own arrangements regarding validation and acceptance of data if the RTO receives government funding.
If RTOs cannot afford to purchase a commercially produced AVETMISS compliant student management system, what assistance is available to help them become AVETMISS compliant? Registering bodies may be able to discuss options that could be available.
Do RTOs need to submit data to the National VET Data Collection? Although fee-for-service data (data about training activity that is not government funded) is not currently required to be submitted to the National VET Data Collection under AQTF Condition 6, NCVER would however, encourage RTOs to do so. Note that under current arrangements, Technical and Further Education Institutes (TAFE) are required to submit all their training activity data.
What are the benefits for RTOs if they chose to voluntarily send their fee-for-service data to either the state training authority or directly to NCVER? Confirmation that the data submitted is AVETMISS compliant Or, confirmation that NCVER is working with the RTO on getting AVETMISS compliant data NCVER will input this information into the Competency Completion Online System (CCOS) for RTOs The collection of this additional information will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of VET training activity occurring in Australia, given that currently approximately half of this information is not reported. This will in turn lead to more informed decision making processes about funding allocation and infrastructure spending for the VET sector as a whole.
Where and how do RTOs send their (AVETMISS compliant) data? Submission of publically funded training activity data Submission of fee-for-service only training activity data
Submissions via State Training Authorities Each state training authority will have a cut off date for data submissions well before the data is due at NCVER on 31 March. RTOs should check with their state /territory training authority regarding these cut off dates. Direct submissions of solely Fee-for Service data to NCVER Data files less than 5mb can be sent by email to vet_data@ncver.edu.au. Alternatively the data can be mailed on disk or other electronic medium to: NCVER Direct data submissions are due to NCVER by 31 March each year for the previous year’s activity.
Where can RTOs get support if they are having difficulties understanding the details of the AVETMIS Standard? AVETMISS support at NCVER Email: support@ncver.edu.au |
