Degree Verification Service in Australia: TEQSA, USI, Privacy Act

A degree verification service in Australia confirms that a named person holds a specific qualification, by checking with the issuing university or registered training organisation, with the candidate's consent. Australia has no single register of degree holders. The national registers list registered providers and accredited courses, and the Unique Student Identifier covers vocational results.

This guide sets out which Australian sources an employer can check, what each confirms, and the privacy obligations that apply.

What a degree verification service checks in Australia

A degree verification service compares the candidate's name, institution, qualification title and dates against the provider's own record. For degrees, that record sits with the university's registrar or student administration team.

Keep two questions apart. "Is this provider registered and is the course accredited?" is answered by public registers. "Did this person complete it?" is answered by the institution, or for vocational qualifications by the candidate's USI transcript. A "no record" result is a reason to check name changes, merged providers or dates, not to conclude anything.

TEQSA and CRICOS: registers of providers and courses

The TEQSA National Register lists registered higher education providers and their accredited courses, and is the first check that an institution is legitimate. The CRICOS register lists institutions and courses registered to teach international students. Both confirm status. Neither lists graduates.

As of October 2026, the TEQSA National Register is the official public source for confirming that an Australian higher education provider and course are registered, while confirmation of an individual's degree comes from the provider itself (TEQSA).

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) defines the levels, from certificates to doctoral degrees, which helps when a candidate's title is unfamiliar.

VET qualifications and the USI transcript

Vocational education results are recorded against the student's Unique Student Identifier. The USI service lets a student view and share their national VET transcript, and employers can ask the candidate to provide it or share access. That puts the control with the candidate and gives a consolidated record across training organisations.

The Document Verification Service (DVS) is a different tool. It checks identity documents such as passports and licences, not degrees.

University registrars and consent

For a university degree, the usual route is the registrar. Many universities offer an online verification portal or a documented request process, and often use the graduate's consent as the trigger for release. Candidates can also provide an official academic transcript or a digital credential.

Practical points:

• Ask the candidate for written consent that names the check.
• Check each university's published verification process; formats and timing differ.
• Where a provider has closed, records may sit with a successor or a state regulator.
• Do not assume a registrar will reply to informal phone calls.

Overseas qualifications: AEI-NOOSR

An overseas degree needs two steps: confirm the issuer, then assess its Australian equivalence. The Australian Government's AEI-NOOSR provides assessments and guidance on how overseas qualifications compare with the AQF. Assessment says what the qualification is comparable to; it does not confirm it was issued to the candidate, which needs the foreign institution's reply.

For licensed occupations such as nursing, engineering, law, or teaching, the professional or state regulator also sets its own skills assessment and registration requirements. Check the regulator's public register for current registration.

Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles

Employers covered by the Privacy Act 1988 handle applicant information under the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), regulated by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Three matter most for a degree check: APP 3 (collect only what is reasonably necessary), APP 5 (tell the individual what is collected and why) and APP 11 (secure the information and destroy or de-identify it when no longer needed).

Note that the Privacy Act's small business exemption and its employee records exemption can affect which obligations apply to a given employer, so confirm your own position. Even where an exemption applies, written consent and a clear purpose are the practical standard registrars expect.

Working rules:

1. Obtain written consent naming the qualification and institution.
2. Check only credentials relevant to the role.
3. Store the result securely and delete it once the decision no longer needs it.
4. Let the candidate respond to any mismatch.

Comparison: Australian sources and what they answer

Verifying across states, providers and formats

Australian candidates often hold qualifications from several providers: a TAFE certificate, a private college diploma and a university degree. Each has its own record holder, so plan the checks per qualification rather than assuming one request covers everything. Check the TEQSA National Register for the higher education pieces, and use the USI transcript for the vocational pieces.

Digital credentials and e-certificates are increasingly common, and some universities let employers confirm them through an online link. Treat that link as the issuer's reply and note it in the file. Where a provider has been renamed or merged, ask the candidate for the former name so the registrar can locate the record. Keep a short log of who replied, when, and what was confirmed, so a later query about the hire can be answered from the file.

What recruiters and candidates ask

Is there one national register? No. TEQSA and CRICOS list providers and courses, not individual graduates.

Can I phone the university? You can, but most will want written consent and may direct you to their verification process.

Do I need the candidate's consent? Yes in practice. APP 3 and 5 expect transparency, and registrars expect to see authorization.

What about overseas degrees and timing? Combine an assessment with confirmation from the issuer. Timing depends on the country.

Is there a cost? Universities, assessment bodies and vendors set their own fees. Check the current schedule.

A practical order of checks

1. Confirm the provider and course on the TEQSA National Register.
2. Collect the candidate's written consent.
3. Ask the registrar, or for VET results request the USI transcript.
4. For overseas degrees, add an AEI-NOOSR assessment.
5. For licensed roles, check the regulator's register.
6. Record the date, source and outcome and keep only what you need.

Related reading: HR document verification: diploma checks and right to work and background check documents for employer verification. Our industry verification guide gives the wider context.

Automating the comparison step

Comparing diplomas against registrar replies by hand takes time at volume. CheckFile's HR solution reads the name, institution, qualification title and dates on a diploma and compares them against the register entry or the issuer's reply, flagging mismatches for a human reviewer. It supports your decision and does not prove by itself that a document is authentic. Staffing teams can look at the recruitment and temporary staffing page and the security page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a national register of degree holders in Australia?

No. TEQSA and CRICOS list registered providers and courses. To confirm that a person holds a degree, you ask the university with their consent.

Does the Document Verification Service check degrees?

No. The DVS checks identity documents such as passports and driver licences. Degrees are confirmed through the institution or, for VET, the USI transcript.

What is a USI transcript?

It is the national record of a student's vocational education and training results, linked to their Unique Student Identifier. The candidate can view and share it.

Do I need consent to verify a qualification?

Yes in practice. The APPs require reasonably necessary collection and clear notice, and universities generally expect written authorization.

How do I verify an overseas qualification?

Ask the foreign institution to confirm it, then use an AEI-NOOSR assessment to see how it compares with the AQF.