Summary

Element 493 was introduced in 2005 as part of the Higher Education student data collection under the new policy and program initiatives introduced under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 which was implemented in 2005. It replaced the following elements:

  • 359 (Prior postgraduate course – year)
  • 360 (Prior degree course – year)
  • 361 (Prior sub-degree course (not at TAFE) – year)
  • 362 (Prior sub-degree course (at TAFE) – year)
  • 363 (Prior TAFE award course – year)
  • 364 (Prior secondary education course at TAFE – year)
  • 365 (Prior secondary education course at school – year)
  • 366 (Prior other qualification/certificate – year)

In 2008 the emphasis for Element 493 changed from "highest level of attainment" to "highest prior level of participation" It was also amended to include provision to record both complete and incomplete VET study.

In 2009 it was included in the VET FEE‑HELP data collection.

Table 1. Change control information with links to relevant versions 1

First year version applied Last year version applied Version Change Reason for change Notice date Issue date
2015 2020 6.00
  • Update to coding notes to clarify the reporting of this element as optional for VET providers.
  • Re‑format document to conform with the department's application upgrade
  • Clarification for VET providers
  • Ministerial Notice document system upgrade
  • 31 Jul 2014
  • 22 May 2014
  • 31 Jul 2014
  • 22 May 2014
2014 2014 5.00 Applications and Offers Data Collection - Updated coding notes to include reference to TAC's Data Elements Map in the HEIMS Web Services Specification. To clarify information 27 Mar 2013 27 Mar 2013
2013 2013 4.10 Updated coding notes for clarification For clarification 14 Feb 2012 18 Dec 2012
2012 2012 3.00 New versioning applied to data elements No change in requirements - Implementation of new document management system. 11 Mar 2011 11 Mar 2011
2009 2009 1.30 Addition of coding notes of VET input files; and change to element description and code meanings to accommodate use by VET providers Introduction of VET FEE‑HELP 5 Dec 2008 5 Dec 2008
2008 2008 1.20 Element has been modified to record highest prior level of participation and record both complete and incomplete VET study VET credit transfer 19 Jul 2007 19 Jul 2007
2006 2007 1.10 Words "of study" added to Element description, now reads "A code which indicates the student's highest educational attainment and year of attainment prior to the first enrolment in the course of study" Clarification 18 Dec 2006 18 Dec 2006
2005 2005 1.00 Coding and code meanings modified to support the policy and program initiatives under HESA 2003 Introduced as an outcome of the 'Data requirements review' and replaced elements: 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365 & 366 9 Dec 2004 9 Dec 2004
Pre‑HESA: There is no earlier version of this element.

Note 1: A version of an element can be associated with one or more reporting years. Where there are multiple versions applicable to a reporting year, only a link to the latest version is provided.

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Element
Highest educational participation prior to commencement
Element #
493