The Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) for VET providers is a national data standard. It ensures the consistent and accurate capture and reporting of vocational education and training (VET) information about students. The Standard details the information to be collected by training organisations regarding the training activity they offer.

The NCVER has recently released an information sheet that provides background on the development and purpose of the changes in the new AVETMIS Standard Release 6.1. The Standard needs to evolve and adapt to changes in the VET sector. Therefore, NCVER have updated the Standard based on feedback received.

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has adopted a two-phase approach for implementation to minimise the burden on training organisations. Release 6.1, with minor changes, will come into effect in January 2012. Release 7.0, comprising more comprehensive changes, will come into effect in January 2014.

The changes in AVETMISS 6.1 are primarily centred around:

• adding new values in Outcome identifier - national and Qualification/course recognition identifier
• adopting Revision 1 of the Australian & New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)
• making minor text alterations in a few data elements: Training organisation type identifier, Indigenous status identifier, Study reason identifier and Nominal hours
• identifying specific Commonwealth-funded programs

Although these changes are likely to require updates to student management reference tables, they do not require any changes to enrolment forms or file structures.