The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) have announced publication of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Data Provision Requirements) Amendment (Data Streamlining) Instrument 2026 (DPRs), coming into effect from 1 October 2026.
The DPRs outline revised reporting obligations for providers, including submission timeframes, processes and compliance expectations.
VET Data Streamlining related changes
The amended DPRs and new VET Information Standard mark an important milestone in the delivery of the VET Data Streamlining (VDS) program. These documents establish a new approach to VET activity reporting that will improve the accuracy, timeliness and quality of VET data.
The VET Information Standard sets out the data elements, business rules and processes that underpin the collection and reporting of VET activity data, and will replace the Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) VET Provider Collection Specifications.
The updated VET Data Provision Exemptions Policy outlines circumstances in which a provider may be granted an exemption from providing certain data.
Additional requirements have also been introduced for providers to maintain a VET data system that:
- stores reportable data in digital form
- supports reporting through the required pathway
- allows data to be collected and submitted as required.
Transition timeframes vary, but at the latest, providers must report under the new VET Information Standard from 1 January 2029.
Providers should determine which transition category they fall into:
|
Registered Training Organisation (RTO) type |
What you must report
|
When to transition to the VET Information Standard |
|---|---|---|
| RTO registered before 1 Jan 2028 with no State or Territory Training Authority (STA) arrangement | AVETMISS until your chosen transition date | Any date you choose up until 1 Jan 2029 |
| RTO registered on or after 1 Jan 2028 with no STA arrangement | VET Information Standard only | From the day you are registered |
| RTO with a STA arrangement | AVETMISS until STA specified transition date. VET Information Standard only, if newly registered and the STA has already commenced transitioning RTOs. | On the date advised by your STA |
Notify NCVER of your Intent to Transition at least 3 months before the beginning of the quarter you intend to transition. Providers do not need to separately notify ASQA of their transition date.
Non-VDS related changes
The amended DPRs also include additional reporting requirements for providers delivering or intending to deliver training offshore. From 1 October 2026, providers will need to notify ASQA when offshore delivery at a site has ceased or is expected to cease. This is in addition to the existing obligation for providers to notify ASQA of their commencement of offshore delivery (or intention to commence).
Start preparing now
Providers, student management system (SMS) suppliers and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the updated requirements and begin preparing for transition.
For further information, including a ‘Guide to RTO Data Provision Requirements’, visit DEWR’s website – Reporting under the VET Information Standard, or NCVER’s VET Information Standard webpage.