VET Information Standard: What It Means for RTOs

The VET Information Standard changes the way RTOs collect and report VET activity data. It introduces new data requirements and a new reporting process that will eventually replace the current AVETMISS arrangements.

For RTOs, the change affects more than how data is submitted. You may need to update the way you collect student information, check your reporting processes and work with your student management system provider as you move to the new standard.

This blog covers how the standard differs from AVETMISS, when you need to transition, and what to do to prepare.

What Is the VET Information Standard?

The VET Information Standard sets out what VET provider training activity data RTOs must collect and report in Australia. NCVER publishes it on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments.

It's part of the Australian Government's VET Data Streamlining (VDS) Program, which also introduces STARS, the new reporting platform, and the legislation that supports it.

Difference Between AVETMISS and the VET Information Standard

AVETMISS is still available, and RTOs can continue reporting under their current arrangement. Though AVETMISS itself hasn't changed much, the VET Information Standard introduces real changes to how RTOs report.

Here's what changes:

What Is STARS?

STARS (Student Training Activity Reporting System) is the national system your student management system connects to for submitting VET activity data under the VET Information Standard. It replaces the old NAT-file and AVETMISS Validation Software process with direct, API-based submission from your SMS.

Data reaches NCVER through one of two pathways, depending on your funding arrangements:

1. Direct pathway: Your SMS submits straight into STARS. This applies to RTOs delivering only fee-for-service training, and to government-funded RTOs in the ACT, NSW, NT, and SA.
2. Indirect pathway: Your SMS submits to your state or territory government, which then passes the data on to STARS. This applies to government-funded RTOs in QLD, TAS, VIC, and WA.

Worth checking which pathway applies to you, since it determines whether your vendor connects to STARS directly or to your state system first.

Key Dates for Your RTO

Three dates matter here, and they're easy to mix up, so it's worth having them in one place.

• 10 July 2026: the VET Information Standard version 1.0.0 was published by NCVER.
• 1 October 2026: the amending legislation, the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Data Provision Requirements) Amendment (Data Streamlining) Instrument 2026, takes effect. This is also the earliest date most RTOs can choose to start transitioning.
• 31 December 2028 / 1 January 2029: the mandatory deadline. RTOs must complete their final AVETMISS submission by 31 December 2028 and report under the VET Information Standard from 1 January 2029 at the latest.

Between those two milestones, your actual transition date depends on your RTO type, which is covered next.

When You Need to Transition

Your transition timing depends on when your RTO was registered and whether you have a funding or contractual arrangement with a State or Territory Training Authority (STA).

If you fall into the first category, you have real flexibility in choosing your transition date. Many RTOs will find it simplest to align it with the start of a reporting year or quarter, since your final AVETMISS submission needs to cover a clean period before the switch.

How to Prepare Your RTO

NCVER's official RTO Transition Journey Checklist breaks the process into three stages: plan, prepare, and commence. Here's what each one covers in practice.

1. Plan

• Confirm your transition category and check your timing on NCVER's "When can RTOs transition" page
• Start an early conversation with your SMS supplier about their own readiness and timeline
• Once you've settled on a date, notify NCVER of your intent to transition, ideally at least three months before the start of the quarter you're aiming for

2. Prepare

• Confirm your SMS supplier's readiness and any changes you'll need to make on your end
• Update your enrolment form with the required privacy notice
• Notify NCVER you're ready to commence, and set up your STARS credentials, your SMS supplier may be able to help with this part

3. Commence

• Start collecting and recording student data in VET Information Standard format, and provisionally validate it to catch issues early
• Complete your final AVETMISS submission and keep the confirmation PDF, NCVER will ask for it
• Once NCVER confirms your RTO is ready, begin submitting your VET Information Standard data

Important Links

For more information, keep an eye on these official pages:

• VET Information Standard website

• VET Information Standard (printable version)

• VET Information Standard sample enrolment form

• RTO Transition Journey Checklist

Your SMS Timeline Is Your Transition Timeline

Software readiness is going to matter more than most RTOs expect in this transition. Your SMS is what actually connects to STARS, so its readiness timeline is your readiness timeline, not something you can solve independently of your provider.

If you're using RTOPilot, reach out to our team and we'll walk you through where things stand and what to expect as our VET Information Standard readiness develops.

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