TAFE Courses

Study Vocational Education and Training (VET) - Australia

A wide range of career training options is available to students at private Vocational Education and Training (VET) colleges. Typically they offer courses from Certificate to Diploma level, providing a practical 'hands-on' approach to teaching. Many VET providers offer pathways to study at Australian universities.

Thousands of courses are offered through the Vocational Education and Training (VET) colleges in Australia, often referred to as Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) in other countries. Qualifications gained through the VET system lead towards different career paths across a variety of diverse and exciting industries, ranging from business and fashion design to tourism and laboratory techniques.

Student Visa, Vocational Education and Training (VET)
(Subclass 572)

Temporary Student Visa for trade courses, vocational education and training at diploma and certificate level (VET).

This temporary visa covers students studying at an Australian government funded technical and further education (TAFE) college. It is also possible to take VET courses at a private college, but it must be a college that is registered on the Australian Commonwealth of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

On this visa you may apply for a package consisting of a preparatory course, for example an English Language course followed by your main VET course. If you are applying for a package course like this, it is important to state this in the visa application.

Student Visas only cost AUD$410, but there are many regulations and documents required by the authorities.

Courses and qualifications

Any organisation that offers accredited VET courses is a registered training organisation (RTO). These can include Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes, private colleges, businesses that provide structured training, and community trainers such as adult and community education providers.

These are all registered by each state or territory authority to:

• provide quality training tailored to your needs;
• deliver courses developed in conjunction with industry;
• and issue a nationally recognised qualification.

RTO's that wish to offer courses to international students must register on the Australian Government's Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). This protects international students, and ensures they receive accredited quality education and training.

Australia's VET courses provide students with skills, called national industry competency standards, which employers have identified as critical to their work needs. These standards form the basis of assessment and students graduate as soon as they demonstrate their achievement. VET qualifications are generally perceived as providing more practical, 'hands-on' skills than the higher education system.

The types of qualifications that can be obtained through the VET system include the following.

• Certificate I - IV: These courses are designed to provide introductory skills and training for a particular industry. They provide preparatory access, participation skills and knowledge such as literacy and numeracy, communication skills, working in teams, workplace technology, and industry specific competencies. Skills gained increase in complexity and personal accountability at each level of the certificate qualification. They vary in length from a few weeks to six or more months.
• Diploma: A diploma course will generally require 18 to 24 months of full-time study and prepare students for industry, enterprise and para-professional careers. Some diploma courses can be completed at university level.
• Advanced diploma: An advanced diploma provides a high level of practical skills for employment in a specific career area, such as accounting, building design, and engineering. Considered higher than a diploma and a more specialised qualification, the courses vary in length from 24 to 36 months. Some advanced diploma courses can also be completed at university level.
  VET courses, particularly at the Diploma and Advanced Diploma level, are often linked to entrance to higher education. Alternatively, graduates of higher education increasingly complete VET qualifications in order to gain practical 'hands-on' skills to assist them enter the workforce.

Average tuition costs

A$5500 - A$18 000 per year*

*Please note that course fees can vary widely and should always be sourced from the relevant college or institute.

General entry information

There are usually no entrance examinations to enter the VET system, but some courses will have prerequisite subjects or require demonstrated work experience. Students should also check with the individual college or institute for English language entry requirements. In addition, commencement dates can vary so it is important to contact each college or institute directly for further information.

Trainers that want to offer courses to international students must register on the Australian Government's Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students… this protects international students, and ensures they get what they have paid for.

More information about TAFE Courses