An alphabetical list of words or terms, relating to the education and training industry, with definitions and explanations.

Term	Description
ABS Country Code	The Australian Bureau of Statistics endorses the use of the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) classification when collecting, aggregating and disseminating data relating to characteristics such as birthplace and country of residence. In addition to its use by the ABS, the SACC is also designed for use in the broader Australian statistical community, including government agencies, private companies and community organisations. The country names within the SACC reflect country titles recognised by the Australian Government. Country Level: 1 - Oceania and Antarctica 2 - North-West Europe 3 - Southern and Eastern Europe 4 - North Africa and the Middle East 5 - South-East Asia 6 - North-East Asia 7 - Southern and Central Asia 8 - Americas 9 - Sub-Saharan Africa
ABS Language Code	The Australian Bureau of Statistics and by other organisations in the fields of health, community services, and education use the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) classification when collecting, aggregating and disseminating data relating to language usage in Australia.
Accredited Course	Accredited Course - a structured sequence of vocational education and training that has been accredited by a state or territory course accrediting body and leads to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification or statement of attainment.
Advanced Standing	Advanced standing, transfer credit, or credit transfer are the terms used by colleges and universities for the procedure of granting credit to a student for educational experiences or courses undertaken at another institution. Also used to describe the status of a student granted credit, as distinct from normal course entrants who commence the stream of study at the beginning.
AHEGS	The Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) provides information on a student's higher education qualification, the institution at which the qualification was obtained and the Australian higher education system in one easy to read document. A supplementary statement to a Testamur and record of results that provides additional information to enhance understanding of the qualification by Students, Employers, Industry and Professional associations both locally and internationally. https://www.education.gov.au/australian-higher-education-graduation-statement
ANZSCO Code	Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is a system that collects, publishes and analyses occupation statistics across government agencies. The ANZSCO classification is a code that uniquely identifies the type of occupation which a student would be qualified in on completion of a qualification undertaken as part of training, and is used when providing data compliant with AVETMISS.
AQF	The Australian Qualifications Framework - defines Australian qualifications, providing a single framework for all qualifications from Senior Secondary Certification to PhD An AQF qualification is recognised all around Australia and by other countries. The AQF groups the qualifications according to the three educational sectors responsible for their accreditation: secondary school; vocational education and training (VET); and higher education. (www.aqf.edu.au)
AQF Qualification Titles	Titles of AQF qualifications are the representation of the qualification type, level and field of study/discipline of the qualification and provide the basis for national and international recognition. Titles of AQF qualifications may only be used by institutions who are registered to issue those qualifications. Examples: CertIIBus – Certificate II in Business CertIVHosp – Certificate IV in Hospitality AdvDipBldDes – Advanced Diploma of Building Design AssocDEng – Associate Degree of Engineering GradCertIT – Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
AQTF	The Australian Quality Training Framework - is the national set of compliance Standards and Essential Conditions that the VET training provider must meet to become a Registered Training Provider (RTO).
ASQA	Australian Skills Quality Authority - promotes quality training so that students, employers, and industry have confidence in Australia's training sector. (https://www.asqa.gov.au)
Assessment	A process to determine a Student’s achievement of identified learning outcomes and may include a range of written and oral methods and practice or demonstration.
ATAR	Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
AUSkey	AUSkey is a whole of government authentication and authorisation service. AUSkey identifies a business user that access government online services on behalf of a business. The USI Registry System is one of those government online services that uses AUSkey to provide a common secure login credential.
AVETMISS	Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard - the National standard for reporting VET statistical data in Australia. The data standard that ensures consistent and accurate capture and reporting of Vocational Education and Training (VET) information about students. (https://www.ncver.edu.au/support/topics/avetmiss/what-is-avetmiss)
Blended Learning	A broad term that often refers to a combination of learning methods that combine traditional forms of delivery such as face-to-face (in classrooms, on-the-job, work-based, etc.) and some form of technological delivery such as online learning.
Campus	The physical location from where a course of study is being delivered. This location may or may not be owned by the education provider which enrols the student. For e-learning (online) or other distance education Courses this would be the location at where the electronic Course material is maintained.
CAN	Commonwealth Assistance Notice - A notice that contains information about a student's enrolment and use of Commonwealth assistance. Providers must issue a CAN to each of their Commonwealth assisted students within a certain timeframe.
Census Date	Census Date - The date after which a student incurs a debt for the unit of study in which they are enrolled. I.e. before this date they can withdraw and not be liable for a debt. Students must make their up‑front payments and submit their request/s for Commonwealth assistance by the census date.
CHESSN	CHESSN - Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number is a unique identifier that identifies a student who is Commonwealth supported, in receipt of HELP assistance or Research Training Program support. The CHESSN remains linked to the student for their academic life. The Australian Government uses the CHESSN to manage and monitor the student's HELP entitlements.
Clustered Qualifications	Grouping of two or more Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualification types at either the same or different AQF level. Examples of clustered qualifications include nested and integrated qualifications.
Clustering	The process of grouping together a number of competencies into combinations which have meaning and purpose related to work functions and needs in an industry or enterprise.
COE	Confirmation of Enrolment - is an official document issued to international students by universities in Australia. The COE is required by the Department of Home Affairs for the purpose of applying for a student visa.
Competency	The consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.
Course completion	The successful completion of all the academic requirements of a course of study. This includes any required attendance, assignments, examinations, assessments, dissertations, practical experience and work experience in industry.
Course of Study	Studies leading to a higher education award (e.g. a Bachelor degree), or a VET accredited award (e.g. a diploma qualification).
CQR	Client Qualification Register - developed by the Training Accreditation Council (TAC) Western Australia to record Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) student achievements from RTOs.
Credit Transfer	A process that provides students with agreed and consistent credit outcomes for completed components of a course of study based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes between matched courses of study.
CRICOS	Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students - a register of Australian education institutions that recruit, enrol and teach overseas students. (http://cricos.education.gov.au) Registration on CRICOS allows providers to offer courses to overseas students studying, or intending to study, in Australia on student visas.
CRICOS Code	Each Australian education provider registered with CRICOS is assigned a unique CRICOS Code
CRICOS Course Code	Each course recorded in the Commonwealth Register of Courses and Institutions for Overseas Students (CRICOS) is assigned a course code.
Delivery Location	The physical location from where a program of study is being delivered. For on-line or other distance education courses this would be the location at where the electronic course material is maintained.
Delivery Type or Mode	The method used for delivering training. The delivery type can be internal, external or work-based, or a combination of these: Internal delivery is where the student and trainer attend any permanent or semi-permanent training delivery location e.g. workshop, laboratory, simulator and classroom-based training even when the training is delivered using video or internet links in real time. External delivery is where the client does not primarily attend a physical delivery location but instead undertakes training in their own time and location using training materials that are provided online or by correspondence. The client does not usually have to undertake training at a particular time. This type of training is often referred to as self-paced learning. Contact with the trainer is usually limited to feedback on submitted work. Work-based delivery includes training activity conducted in the workplace, irrespective of whether it is conducted by the training organisation or the employer; for example, industrial/work experience, field placement, or fully on-job training or structured workplace training delivered at a place of employment.
Department of Education and Training	The Australian Government department with responsibility for developing and administering higher education policy and programs and administering funding under the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
Domestic Student	A student who is one of the following: Australian citizen (including Australian citizens with dual citizenship) New Zealand citizen or a diplomatic or consular representative of New Zealand, a member of the staff of such a representative or the spouse or dependent relative of such a representative, excluding those with Australian citizenship (Note: includes any such persons who have Permanent Resident status) a permanent humanitarian visa holder a holder of a permanent visa other than a permanent humanitarian visa
DOS	Director Of Studies - a member of staff at an educational institution who has responsibility for overseeing the curriculum and who is responsible for overseeing an individual student's course of study
DTWD	Department of Training and Workforce Development, Western Australian Government
DVS	Document Verification Service - a secure, online system managed by the Attorney General’s Department that provides for automated checks of the accuracy and validity of information across the common documents accepted by government departments as ‘proof of identity’. It enables the cross- checking of identity information against the records of issuing agencies such as Births Deaths and Marriages. The process ensures that the correct and legal version of a student’s name is recorded against their USI, rather than a misspelled, abbreviated or shortened version of the name. It is important for students and training organisations to use a valid form of ID when creating a USI account to ensure that students’ records and transcripts belong to the correct student. https://www.usi.gov.au/faqs/what-document-verification-service-dvs
eCAF	Government electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) (Request for a VET Student Loan eCAF). The online system for students to request a VET Student Loan (and other loans) under the HELP. It provides students with a secure and easily accessible way to complete application forms for these programs. Students also use the eCAF system to log in to demonstrate they are engaged with their training and wish to continue accessing a VET Student Loan.
eCoE	Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
EFTSL	Equivalent Full-Time Student Load - a measure of the study load, for a year, of a student undertaking a course of study on a full time basis, where the student undertakes a standard program of studies. A typical full time student load for a one-year course will have an EFTSL of 1.0.
eLearning	Use of any digital technology or resources to deliver and support specific teaching and learning aims/outcomes. Also referred to as ‘online learning’ or 'technology enhanced learning'.
ELICOS	English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students - Australian (http://www.elicos.com)
English language proficiency	The ability of students to use the English language to make and communicate meaning in spoken and written contexts while completing their course of study.
Enrolment	An enrolment exists: when a person has been admitted to an award course, non-award course, enabling course , cross-provider program or Bridging for Overseas Trained Professionals at the Higher Education Provider at the census date; and the person is still entitled to continue with their studies and has not formally indicated before the census date that they have withdrawn from or deferred their studies.
Enrolment Date	The day on which the student completes her/his enrolment.
ESOS	ESOS - Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, or ESOS Act, establishes legislative requirements and standards for the quality assurance of education and training institutions offering courses to international students who are in Australia on a student visa. ESOS also provides tuition fee protection for international students. The Australian Government has released the revised National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018), which commenced on 1 January 2018. https://internationaleducation.gov.au/regulatory-information/pages/regulatoryinformation.aspx
Fee paying student	A student enrolled in a course for which the provider does not receive a state or territory government subsidy is a full fee paying student.
FEE-HELP	FEE-HELP - Australian Government loan program to help eligible fee-paying students to pay their tuition fees.
Field of Education Classification	Field of Education Classification is the classification system used by Australian universities and higher education providers to classify higher education courses, specialisations and units of study. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is responsible for the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) which provides a full list of subjects and where they sit within the broad fields of education.
Full fee paying/fee for service student	A student enrolled in a course for which the provider does not receive a state or territory government subsidy is a full fee paying student.
Full Time Student	Students whose program of study constitutes at least 75 per cent of the normal full-time study load. A full-time study load is equivalent to 720 contact hours in a year. Therefore, any student undertaking 540 hours or more is regarded as a full-time student.
GPA	The Grade Point Average (GPA) is an internationally recognised calculation used to find the average result of all grades achieved throughout a Student's Course. Grade Point Averages are not generally used in Australia below a tertiary level.
Grade distributions	Set by each higher education provider, they involve analysing the aggregation of final grades using data by subject, course of study, student cohort or other grouping. Grade distributions may be determined using norm-referencing methods, criterion-referencing methods, or a combination of both. Criterion-referencing requires a focus on identified learning outcomes and provides transparency for students.
GTE	The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is an integrity measure to ensure that the student visa programme is used as intended and not as a way for international students to maintain ongoing residency in Australia. (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500/genuine-temporary-entrant)
HECS-HELP	HECS-HELP - An Australian Government loan program that helps eligible Commonwealth supported students to pay their student contribution amounts. Before 2005 this was known as ‘HECS’.
HEIMS	Higher Education Information Management System - An electronic information system that provides students and higher education providers with a range of relevant information, such as the availability and usage of Commonwealth assistance by students and information on program management reporting. (http://heimshelp.education.gov.au)
HEIMS Administration	HEIMS Administration - provides a centralised access point for higher education and VET providers to directly: allocate CHESSNs to students notify the department of potential duplicate CHESSNs view student entitlement information report Commonwealth scholarship submissions to the Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS) (https://eduportal.education.gov.au)
HELP	Higher Education Loan Program - Australian Government loans that help eligible students pay their tuition fees (VET Student Loans, VET FEE-HELP or FEE-HELP), student contributions (HECS-HELP), overseas study expenses (OS-HELP) and student services and amenities fee (SA-HELP). HELP loans are repaid through the tax system once a person earns over the compulsory repayment threshold.
HEP	Higher Education Provider. Defined in the TEQSA Act as: 1. a constitutional corporation that offers or confers a regulated higher education award 2. a corporation that: offers or confers a regulated higher education award is established by or under a law of the Commonwealth or a Territory 3. a person who offers or confers a regulated higher education award for the completion of a course of study provided wholly or partly in a Territory.
HEPCAT	Higher Education Provider Client Assistance Tool - an application for approved higher education and VET providers to use in order to prepare, validate and submit data to HEIMS. (https://heimshelp.education.gov.au/resources/toolkits/reporting-with-hepcat)
ICT	Information and Communication Technology - is another term for Information Technology (IT)
IELTS	International English Language Testing System - measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9). IELTS is available in two test versions: Academic - for people applying for higher education or professional registration, and General Training for those migrating to Australia, Canada and the UK, or applying for secondary education, training programmes and work experience in an English-speaking environment. Both versions provide a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. (https://www.ielts.org)
Learning Outcomes	The expression of the set of knowledge, skills and the application of the knowledge and skills a person has acquired and is able to demonstrate as a result of learning.
LMS	Learning Management System - a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs.
MARA	Migration Agents Registration Authority
Meshed Higher-Ed	Meshed Higher-Ed is an enterprise education management system that offers the capabilities to manage and streamline the business processes of a higher education provider. Meshed Higher-Ed is a smart integration of several modules that deliver an opportunity to rationalize day-to-day operation of higher education provider. For example, Meshed Higher-Ed has various portals, access to relevant user groups such as student portal for student, teacher portal for lecturers/tutors/teachers and agent portal for agents.
Meshed RTOManager	Meshed RTOmanager is a next generation automated College Management System that offers the capabilities to manage and streamline the business processes of an educational institution. Meshed RTOmanager is a smart integration of several important modules that deliver an opportunity to rationalize the day-to-day college operations. For example, departmental portals for RTO management, access to relevant users such as student portal for students, teacher portal for teachers and agent portal for agents.
Mode of Study	The range of options for study available to students. Examples include: attendance face-to-face in a classroom supervised study on a higher education provider’s campus eLearning (online learning) distance or independent learning work-integrated learning fast track intensive delivery block release mixed (or blended) delivery
Module	A self-contained block of learning which can be completed on its own or as part of a course and which may also result in the attainment of one or more units of competency. A group of learning outcomes in a VET accredited course where it can be established that it is not possible to develop an appropriate unit of competency
My Skills Website	The national Vocational Education and Training (VET) consumer directory that contains information about each Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and the courses they offer. It is a federal government initiative to enable consumers to search for and compare VET courses and training providers. Students can use My Skills to search for VET Student Loans approved courses and approved course providers. www.myskills.gov.au
Non-AQF Qualification	Qualifications that are not government quality assured and not accredited by the Australian Higher Education or Vocational Education and Training accreditation authorities. They should not have AQF qualification titles.
NCVER	National Centre for Vocational Education Research - the national professional body responsible for collecting, managing, analysing and communicating research and statistics on the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector. (https://www.ncver.edu.au)
Nested Courses	A set of Courses of study that are offered sequentially and can lead to qualifications at different AQF levels. Courses at the lower qualification levels are described as ‘nested’ within the Courses leading to qualifications at the higher levels. Nested courses are typically offered by a single provider but could be offered through a third-party arrangement. A nested arrangement of courses and qualifications potentially enables multiple entry and exit points for students. Students may exit with a qualification at one of the lower levels after completing a defined subset of the total program. They may also enter at different levels depending on their prior experience or qualifications in the field of study and the provider’s requirements for recognition of prior learning. (https://www.teqsa.gov.au/latest-news/publications/guidance-note-nested-courses-study)
Nominal Hours	The anticipated hours of supervised training needed to conduct training and assessment activities associated with a program or subject. They are generally used by jurisdictions for reporting purposes and for determining the amount of effort that has been applied to produce outcomes.
Non-AQF Award	A course leading to a qualification or an award not covered by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Registered higher education providers can apply to TEQSA for accreditation of a non-AQF course where the award or qualification is similar to a qualification covered by level 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the AQF (other than an award offered or conferred for the completion of a vocational education and training course). In line with this, non-award short courses, for example, do not fall within our regulatory functions under the TEQSA Act as they would not be regarded as similar. Non-AQF qualifications or awards must not use AQF terminology.
NVR	National VET Regulator - supervises training providers, known as Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), and monitors their compliance with the VET Quality Framework or the Australian Qualifications Training Framework (AQTF) through audits. They will de-register an RTO if it stays non-compliant after audit.
Off-Shore Student	A student who is residing overseas for the term/semester. Prior to 2017 the definition of an off‑shore student excluded students who were residing overseas for the term/semester and were undertaking a course, conducted in Australia, via distance education or online.
Offer	An offer of a place to an applicant to study a particular course
On-Shore Student	An on‑shore student is a student who is residing in Australia for the term/semester and is undertaking a program of study conducted by an Australian higher education provider. Prior to 2017, the definition of an onshore student included students who were residing overseas for the term/semester and were undertaking a course, conducted in Australia, via distance education or online.
OSHC	Overseas Student Health Cover. The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires International students undertaking formal studies in Australia, and their dependants (for example, spouses and children under 18 years old), to maintain OSHC for the duration of time they are in Australia.
Overseas Student	Any student who is not a domestic student.
Pathways	Allow students to move through Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification levels with full or partial recognition for the completed course of study and/or learning outcomes they already have.
PIR	PIR - Provider Information Request which is used for TEQSA PIR Reporting.
Postgraduate	A Postgraduate is a student who has successfully completed an undergraduate degree level course at a college or university and is undertaking further study at a more advanced level.
PRISMS	Provider Registration and International Student Management System (https://prisms.education.gov.au)
Provider	An approved Higher Education Provider or a registered training organisation approved as an approved course provider under the VET Student Loans Act 2016.
PY	PY - Professional Year. The Professional Year Program (PYP) offers former international students, who have graduated from a university in Australia, an introduction to their respective occupation and relevant practical training. Australian Internships provides the practical component of the Professional Year Program (PYP) and has been approved by the accrediting bodies authorised by the Department of Immigration and Boarder Protection (DIBP). (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/supporting/Pages/skilled/Professional-year-in-Australia.aspx)
QEAC	Qualified Education Agent Counsellor
QTAC	Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre
Qualification	An award or some other form of certification of attainment, competence or attendance. In the vocational education and training (VET) sector, qualifications are awarded when a person has satisfied all requirements of the units of competency or modules that comprise an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification, as specified by a nationally endorsed training package or an accredited course that provides training for that qualification.
Qualification/Course	A nationally endorsed Training Package qualification as specified in a national Training Package.
RAPT	Resource Allocation Program for Training - means the Western Australian Government Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) Internet based system that can be accessed by a contracted RTO to enable lodgement of reports, validation of data and to obtain information relating to payments.
RCTI	A Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI) is a tax invoice that is issued by the recipient of the goods and/or services rather than the supplier.
Record of results	A record of all learning leading to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification or an accredited unit in which a student is enrolled. This may be called a: Transcript of results Academic transcript Record of achievement Statement of results
RPL	Recognition of Prior Learning - is an assessment process that assesses an individual’s formal, non-formal and informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required learning outcomes, competency outcomes, or standards for entry to, and/or partial or total completion of, a VET qualification.
RTO	Registered Training Organisations - training providers registered by ASQA (or, in some cases, a state regulator) to deliver vocational education and training (VET) services. RTOs are recognised as providers of quality-assured and nationally recognised training and qualifications. Only RTOs can deliver nationally recognised courses and accredited Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) VET qualifications and apply for Australian, state and territory funding to deliver vocational education and training. RTOs can offer qualifications at the following levels; Certificates I, II, III and IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Vocational Graduate Certificate, Vocational Graduate Diploma.
RTO Code	RTO Code - the registration identifier given to the RTO on the National Register, training.gov.au
Rural Property Address or Number	A Rural Address that meets the National Standard for Addressing (AS4819:2011). This standard provides guidance on assigning addresses, naming roads and locations, signage use and recording and mapping information. (https://infostore.saiglobal.com/en-au/Standards/AS-NZS-4819-2011-1497944/)
SBAT	School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships - are available to all Year 10, 11 and 12 high school students in NSW. They allow students to commence an apprenticeship or complete a traineeship while at school. A School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship combines paid work, training and school; and as well as an industry recognised national qualification you will gain credit towards the HSC. Some apprenticeships and traineeships can contribute towards the ATAR. sbatinnsw.info/
Short Course	A course of vocational education and training (VET) which stands alone and does not usually lead to a full qualification. A statement of attainment may be issued on successful completion.
Smart and Skilled	Smart and Skilled - a reform of the NSW vocational education and training system. It's helping people get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers. Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with: - an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III - government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas. https://smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au/
Statement of Attainment	A statement of attainment is issued when a student has successfully completed a number of accredited units of study which do not amount to a full qualification. The statement should meet the requirements set out in the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy and any applicable standards for the sector.
STS	STS - State Training Services
STS Online	STS Online - a secure portal for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to do business with Training Services NSW. It provides a secure way to access information, services and functions.
Student cohort	All students commencing a course of study in a particular year with a higher education provider. Student cohorts may be classified by: entry pathway mode of study place of study other groupings
Student contact hours	Time spent by students in timetabled teaching and learning activities, such as: face-to-face lectures tutorials supervised study field trips work-integrated learning activities clinical and other placements
Subsidised Student	A student who is enrolled in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma level course that is subsidised by a state or territory government.
Subject	A separate unit of study and a combination of subjects make up a course of study.
Summer School	A Summer School is a form of education provided by Universities and Colleges during the summer vacation (outside of the regular Academic Year). Summer school classes are often shorter than regular classes (often 6-8 weeks long, compared to a whole semester), so they are usually more intensive and require a greater time commitment.
SVTS	Skills Victoria Training System (SVTS) is a web based application used by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to meet their reporting obligations under the Skills Victoria and VET Funding Contract. https://www.education.vic.gov.au/svts/
TAC	Tertiary Admissions Centre - A state-based central office that receives and processes applications for admission to participating higher education providers. Rather than applying separately to each institution, TACs streamline the application process by accepting a single application from a person that contains a list of preferences. The Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have a central admissions office. The following are the TACs for the other states and the Australian Capital Territory: New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory — Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Queensland — Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) South Australia — South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) Victoria - Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) Western Australia — Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC)
TAFE	Technical and Further Education - Individual TAFE institutions (usually with numerous campuses) are known as either colleges or institutes, depending on the state or territory. TAFE colleges are owned, operated and financed by the various state and territory governments. TAFE Institutions provide a wide range of predominantly vocational courses, mostly qualifying courses under the National Training System/Australian Qualifications Framework/Australian Quality Training Framework. Fields covered include business, finance, hospitality, tourism, construction, engineering, visual arts, information technology and community work.
Tertiary Education	Formal education beyond secondary education, including higher education, vocational education and training, or other specialist post-secondary education or training
TER	Tertiary Entrance Rank - A ranking of students (usually based on results in the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education) used by universities and some providers of vocational education and training (VET) courses when selecting students who will be offered places in particular courses.
TPS	Tuition Protection Service - an initiative of the Australian Government to assist international students whose education providers are unable to fully deliver their course of study. The TPS ensures that international students are able to either; complete their studies in another course or with another education provider or, receive a refund of their unspent tuition fees. (https://tps.gov.au)
TEQSA	Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency is Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education. (https://www.teqsa.gov.au/)
Testamur	An official certification document that confirms a qualification has been awarded to an individual. In Australia this may be called an award, parchment, laureate or certificate.
Training.gov.au	Training.gov.au - the national register for training in Australia and contains the authoritative information about Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), Nationally Recognised Training (NRT), and the approved scope of each RTOs to deliver NRT as required in national and jurisdictional legislation within Australia. (https://training.gov.au)
Trainer	Anyone who fulfils one or more activities linked to the (theoretical or practical) training function, either in an educational institution, training institution or at the workplace.
Training Package	A set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications used to recognise and assess the skills and knowledge people need to perform effectively in the workplace. Training Packages are a key resource for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in the delivery of structured, accredited training. Training packages are developed by Service Skills Organisations (SSOs) to meet the training needs of an industry, or a group of industries. Each training package is made up of three components; units of competency, qualifications framework levels of education and assessment guidelines.
Training Plan	A documented program of training and assessment required for an apprenticeship/traineeship training contract. It is developed by a registered training organisation in consultation with the parties to the contract as the basis for training and assessing a person undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship.
TOEFL	Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOID	TOID - Training organisation identifier is used to identify training organisations that deliver vocational education and training. Only registered training organisations can provide nationally recognised training. Training organisation identifier is usually assigned by a registration body (ASQA, TAC, VRQA) to a training organisation at the time of registration. The code is listed on the National Training Register. (http://www.training.gov.au>)
Tuition Fees	Fees that students are charged by approved course providers.
Unit of Competency or Module	A competency standard against which a student enrols and is assessed. A Unit of Competency is a component of a Training Package. References to Units of Competency include Modules from accredited Courses.
Up-Front Payment	Up-Front Payment - Partial or full payment of student contributions or tuition fees made direct to the provider on or before the census date.
USI	Unique Student Identifier - a reference number made up of numbers and letters, unique to each student which allows a student to link previous and future VET qualifications, from any providers, into a single authenticated transcript, through the National Vocational Education and Training Data Collection, and prevents them from losing their record. A USI Number will stay with the student for life, and must be recorded with any nationally recognised VET course they undertake. A National Government initiative for all students from 1st January 2015. Registered Training Organisations are prohibited from issuing a Statement of Attainment to students if they do not have a verified USI. (https://www.usi.gov.au)
VET	Vocational Education and Training - enables students to gain qualifications for all types of employment, and specific skills to help them in the workplace. The providers of VET include technical and further education (TAFE) institutes, adult and community education providers and agricultural colleges, as well as private providers, community organisations, industry skill centres, and commercial and enterprise training providers. In addition, some universities and schools provide VET. Vocational education and training is provided through a network of eight state and territory governments and the Australian Government, along with industry, public and private training providers. These organisations work together to provide nationally consistent training across Australia. (https://www.asqa.gov.au/about/australias-vet-sector)
VET FEE-HELP	VET FEE-HELP (VFH) - is a student loan scheme that is funded by the Commonwealth Government to assist eligible students pay their course fees. It is available for some higher-level courses (that is, diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certificate and graduate diploma courses) offered on a fee-for-service basis by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). (http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/Support/VetFeeHelp/Pages/default.aspx)
VET Provider	VET Provider - an organisation or individual that provides education or training services. Includes technical and further education (TAFE) institutes, adult and community education providers and agricultural colleges, as well as private providers, community organisations, industry skill centres, and commercial and enterprise training providers. In addition, some universities and schools provide VET.
VET Student Loans	VET Student Loans (VSL) - offers income contingent loan support to eligible students studying certain diploma level and above vocational education and training qualifications. Eligible students are entitled for loans up to a capped amount. (https://www.education.gov.au/vet-student-loans) VET Student Loans commenced on 1 January 2017, replacing the VET FEE-HELP scheme. This is an optional Module in Meshed Platforms.
VSN	Victorian Student Number - a student identification number that has been assigned by the Department of Education and Training (DET) of Victoria to all students in government and non-government schools, and to students below the age of 25 undertaking Vocational Education and Training with a TAFE, Registered Training Organisation or Adult and Community Education (ACE) provider (referred to collectively as VET Providers).
VSR	Victorian Student Register - a central registry of Victorian students up to the age of 25. The registry maintains basic and minimal identifying information relating to a student including: VSN, name, date of birth, and gender, as well as enrolment information for each school and / or VET Provider that the student attends including the student’s provider number, and enrolment date.
WAM	The Weighted Average Mark (WAM) is a more precise measurement of academic performance than the Grade Point Average. The WAM is based on the raw percentage grades, or marks, achieved by the student, rather than grade points such as High Distinction or Distinction.
Winter School	A Winter School is a form of education provided by Universities and Colleges during the winter vacation (outside of the regular Academic Year). Winter school classes are often shorter than regular classes (often 6-8 weeks long, compared to a whole semester), so they are usually more intensive and require a greater time commitment.
Work Placement	A period of unpaid work with an employer undertaken by vocational education and training (VET) students in order to satisfy the requirements of a course or module, with supervision provided by the employer, the training provider or both.
Work-Integrated Learning	WIL - Learning that comprises a range of programs and activities in which the theory of the learning is intentionally integrated with the practice of work through specifically designed curriculum, pedagogic practices and student engagement.

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