What is a USI in Australia: Complete Guide

• USI stands for Unique Student Identifier, a 10-character identifier used in Australia’s education and training system.
• You need a USI when joining nationally recognised courses, including White Card training.
• Your USI is free to create and stays valid for life, so you don’t need a new one each time you undertake training.
• If you already have a USI but can’t remember it, you can retrieve it online through the Australian Government’s USI Student Portal.

What is a USI?

A USI, or Unique Student Identifier, is a 10-character combination of letters and numbers that identifies you within Australia’s education and training system.

Your USI is unique to you and stays with you for life. You only need to create one, even if you complete multiple courses with different training providers over the years.

The Australian Government requires a USI for nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET). It is also required in a number of higher education situations, including for students seeking Commonwealth financial assistance and students graduating from higher education.

Your USI also gives you access to a government-authenticated record of nationally recognised VET training you have completed since 2015.

Why do I need a USI for a White Card course?

White Card training is nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET), which means you will generally need to provide a valid USI as part of completing your training.

The USI allows your training outcome to be linked to your individual training record. This is important because, without a USI, students undertaking nationally recognised training may not be able to receive their Statement of Attainment.

So, if you’re booking a White Card course, your USI is one of the details you should have ready.

What does a USI look like?

A USI is made up of 10 letters and numbers but it is not the same as your student number or White Card number.

Think of it as your personal identifier within Australia’s education and training system. If you move between training providers or complete additional nationally recognised courses, you continue using the same USI.

How do I get a USI?

Creating a USI is free, and you can do it through the Australian Government USI website.

There is no minimum age for having a USI, although you need suitable identification to create one.  When setting up your USI, make sure the personal details you enter match your identification documents.

In particular, your name should match the name recorded on your ID and the enrolment details you provide to your training organisation. A mismatch can prevent a training provider from successfully verifying your USI.

How do I find my USI if I already have one?

If you’ve completed nationally recognised training in Australia since 2015, you may already have a USI. Don’t create another one simply because you can’t remember your existing USI. Instead, use the USI Student Portal to retrieve it.

Depending on the information associated with your account, you may be able to find your USI using your email address, mobile number, security questions or personal details and identification.

What information does my USI record contain?

One of the major benefits of the USI system is that it brings your nationally recognised VET training records together. Your USI VET transcript can show nationally recognised training you have completed since 2015, allowing you to view, download and share your training history.

That can be useful when you need evidence of previous training for an employer, further study or another training provider.

Not every course you have ever completed will necessarily appear on your USI transcript. The system relates specifically to nationally recognised VET training reported against your USI.

Do international students need a USI?

Yes. International students studying VET or higher education in Australia need a USI.

However, international students can only create their USI after they have arrived in Australia. They can enrol before arriving and then create and provide their USI once they are in the country.

An Australian visa and non-Australian passport can be used when creating the USI after arrival.

Is my USI the same as my White Card number?

No. Your USI and your White Card number serve different purposes.

Your USI identifies you within Australia’s education and training system and helps connect you with your nationally recognised training records. 

Your White Card, meanwhile, is evidence that you have completed the required general construction induction training for construction work.

Completing White Card training may become part of the VET training record associated with your USI, but your USI itself is not your White Card number.

Does a USI expire?

No. Your USI stays with you for life. You only need to create it once, and you should continue using the same USI whenever you undertake nationally recognised training in the future.

That means if you created a USI for a previous TAFE course, apprenticeship, first aid course or other nationally recognised training, you should use that same USI when enrolling in White Card training.

What happens if I don’t have a USI?

If you have never had a USI, you can usually create one online for free before undertaking your training.

If you already have one but can’t remember it, use the Australian Government’s USI finder rather than creating a second USI.

For students undertaking nationally recognised VET, having a valid USI is important because training providers use it to report your training and link it to your record. Without one, you may not be able to receive your Statement of Attainment.