Objective
Once you have read this article you will be able to obtain and verify a student's USI (Unique Student Identifier). You will also have an understanding that the Paradigm system communicates with the USI Registry system, by using the authentication methods provided by the Australian Business Register that manages AUSkey certificates.
Assumptions
The pages, fields and buttons that you can see, and the items you can edit, are based on:
- how the Paradigm system is configured for your institution, and
- the options that are made available by your institution, and
- the access level assigned to you by the "nominated contact person" or other Paradigm expert, according to your permission needs.
For more information please contact your "nominated contact person" or other Paradigm expert.
- The student record has already been created, and this article describes how you can change the login details and security levels assigned to that record.
- You have an access level that allows you to create or edit student records.
You have an understanding of the Australian Tertiary Education System / VET Sector and the terms commonly used
- Paradigm has been connected via API to the Government's USI database
- Your institution has been provided with an Administrator AUSkey and a Device AUSkey, allowing communication between Paradigm, the USI Registry, and the Australian Business Register.
You have been provided with the required identification / certificates for the student to sufficiently identify them, using these documents / cards:
- Australian Birth Certificate
- Certificate of Registration by Descent
- Australian Citizenship Certificate
- Australian Driver's Licence
- Medicare Card
- Australian Passport
- Visa (with non-Australian Passport)
- ImmiCard
Auskey Renewal
The Device Custodian (as nominated by your RTO) requires a Username and Password for the ABR AUSkey Manager website.
Key terms and concepts
| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
| USI | The USI (Unique Student Identifier) is required for all VET level students receiving nationally recognised training to comply with Government reporting requirements. The USI is an initiative of the Australian Government to ensure that students are able to access their student records even if providers cease to trade. As of 22 May 2017, students can use their USI to obtain a transcripts of their units of study. The USI transcript currently holds data for units of study from 2015 to now. |
| AUSkey | AUSkey is managed by the Australian Business Register, and it is the authentication connection method that joins the Paradigm system with the USI Registry System. The Paradigm system cannot communicate with the USI Registry system, without a valid AUSkey Username and Password.
|
Implications
- Once a student has been issued with a USI, it remains with them for life, and the same USI can never be issued to any other person.
If a student provides a USI, it must be verified as genuine and complete.
Workflow
How to Obtain a USI
- Load the student's record or click here for more information.
- Click on the Student Details option in the side menu.
- Move down the side menu and click the USI Edit option and check the details of the student record.
- Provide any of the absent details in the UNIQUE STUDENT IDENTIFIER REQUEST section.
- Move to the Document Type section at the bottom of the page and choose the Document Type that will be used to verify the student's identity.
- Choosing each Document Type replaces a new section beneath the Document Type section, showing different details to complete. Enter the requested information to verify the document type you are using.
- Click the Save USI Details button
, to save the details you have provided for this document type. - Move to the top section of the page and click the Request USI button
. - The USI for this student has now been allocated / received.
- Click on the Edit Details option on the side menu.
- Move to the Student Details section at the top of the page
- On the right side of the page, and on the right side of the USI Verified Date field,
click the calendar icon 
- Choose the date of verification for the USI.
- Click the SAVE STUDENT button
at the bottom of the STUDENT DETAILS section.
How to Obtain an AUSkey
Administrator AusKey
These instructions assume that your institution already has an Administrator AUSkey.
If your SBR-enabled software or server does not support automatic renewal, your Device AUSkey will expire two years after its creation. An Error "Creator of this fault did not supply a reason" may present if the AUSkey has either expired or is about to expire. The RTO's AUSkey Administrator must request a new Device AUSkey to replace the expired or expiring AUSkey.
These instructions refer to website pages that are maintained by external organisations. These instructions were last updated on March 01, 2018.
- Click on this link to open to the Australian Business Register website and start the AUSkey Process: Australian Business Register - Managing AUSkeys
- Register for a Device AUSkey.
- Type in the device name or server name where the Device AUSkey will be installed e.g. StarfleetAcademy.edu.au.
- Check that the business details are correct for your institution.
- Read the declaration and click the Submit button.
- You (the Institution's AUSkey Custodian) will receive an email - Action required -Download and install your Device AUSkey.
- Click on the link in the email to download the AUSkey.
- This will open a web page on the ABR website. A Java Applet will be launched, so please ensure that popups are allowed for this page if asked by your browser
- Within the applet a heading of Install AUSkey will appear and you will be asked to enter a captcha code. Type in the characters you see and click the Next button.
- Check that the business details are correct for your institution for a second time.
- Read the declaration and click the Submit button for a second time.
- Within the next screen an option of Select Install Location for your AUSkey will appear. Select the Choose The Location option and then click Browse...
- Choose the folder on your computer where you want to save the keystore.xml file and click the Next button.
- Enter a password of your choice, and type it a second time to confirm it, then click the Next button.
- Ensure the password is stored in a secure manner for later reference (and later sending to the Silverband help desk for installation).
- An Installing AUSkey popup box will appear, and when installation completes, a new message will appear that Your AUSkey has been installed successfully.
- Send an email to the Silverband help desk containing both the Password and Keystore.xml file.
- Once we receive and install these on your system, your system is ready and linked to the USI system.
How to Renew an AUSkey
Administrator AusKey
These instructions assume that your institution already has an Administrator AUSkey.
If your SBR-enabled software or server does not support automatic renewal, your Device AUSkey will expire two years after its creation. An Error "Creator of this fault did not supply a reason" may present if the AUSkey has either expired or is about to expire. The RTO's AUSkey Administrator must request a new Device AUSkey to replace the expired or expiring AUSkey.
These instructions refer to the content of pages that are maintained by external organisations. These instructions were last updated on March 01, 2018.
The process to renew an AUSkey is identical to that for obtaining a new AUSkey. If an AUSkey does not automatically renew before it expires, you have to apply for a new AUSkey, using the steps in the How to Obtain an AUSkey section above.