Under AVETMISS, training data is reported in periodic batches, which means insights can lag activity by many months. VDS moves the sector to progressive, transactional reporting: you report activity as it happens and changes, rather than assembling a large submission after the fact. The goal the program sets for itself is simple: better data, faster, so that governments, regulators and providers are working from a far more current picture of the VET sector.

A single national standard

At the heart of the change is the VET Information Standard (VET IS), which replaces AVETMISS. It consolidates national requirements and brings together data elements that were previously collected separately by individual states and territories, into one national standard. For providers, that means a single national standard for reporting training activity, which also carries the extra elements some states require.

The standard also modernises the data itself. Some information carries across largely unchanged, while other areas are being redesigned. Examples include the move to a transactional student status model, changes to how delivery mode is described, and updated classifications.

VDS introduces STARS (the Student Training Activity Reporting System), the national platform that receives VET activity data. Reporting moves from uploading flat NAT files to secure, system-to-system submission via APIs. In practice, that means no more NAT file generation and upload. Your systems will report directly, either to STARS or, if you deliver government-funded training in Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria or Western Australia, via your State Training Authority.

The VDS program has now moved from planning into delivery:

• The VET Information Standard was first published in July 2026 and takes effect from 1 October 2026, starting with fee-for-service-only RTOs that are ready to transition and choose to opt in.

• The supporting Data Provision Requirements (the reporting rules) have been amended and take effect on the same date.

• Providers transition progressively, with all RTOs expected to be reporting under the new standard by the end of 2028.

• The final AVETMISS submission is due by 28 February 2029, marking the end of the current standard.

The transition is staged rather than a single switchover, and detailed timing will continue to firm up as the rollout progresses. Some detail is still to be confirmed, including how in-flight enrolments move across and how funded reporting will work in each state and territory.

We're not waiting for the deadline. ReadyTech has been engaged in the program since its inception and remains actively involved in the developer community, technical working sessions, the External User Reference Group, and the regular program showcases. That gives us early, direct sight of the standard and the STARS specifications as they're released and updated.

We are actively planning toward the new standard, with our work sequenced to the national rollout so our clients can transition with confidence when the time comes. We are working through what the standard means for the organisations using our products, and we will share specific guidance with customers as the national detail is confirmed. Our commitment is straightforward: to give every customer a supported pathway to VET IS reporting within the national transition window, with advance notice before anything changes.

There's no need to wait to start preparing. A few practical steps will make your transition smoother:

• Get familiar with the VET Information Standard and the changes it introduces.

• Check your data quality now. Clean, well-maintained AVETMISS data transitions far more easily.

• Note the new and changed information you'll need to capture, such as term address and the updated classifications.

• Get your team comfortable with the idea of progressive, report-on-change submission.

• Get involved. The VDS program runs regular showcases open to the whole VET sector, and they're a great way to stay across what's coming.

VDS is a significant change, but it's one the sector has been building towards for years, and one ReadyTech has helped shape from the start. We'll continue to share updates as the standard matures and the transition timeline becomes clearer. If you have questions about what VDS means for your organisation, your ReadyTech contact is always happy to help.