Adult and Community Education (ACE)

Adult Community Education (ACE) centres offer a wide variety of courses, including informal (non-accredited) and formal (accredited) programs. ACE is a good choice if you want to get back into learning, including doing your VCE, and can be a first step on the pathway to further study at a TAFE institute or university. It also offers a range of short courses related to lifestyle and personal development, including languages, arts and cooking.

ACE educates approximately 85,000 people in vocational education and training in Victoria.

Courses and providers

Through adult community education, you can do:

courses for adults to improve your English and mathematics
English as a second language
courses to help you get work, change jobs or return to work
computer and internet courses
the VCAL, adult VCE or another general education program
general interest courses such as history, languages, art, music, cooking, health and personal development.

Entry requirements

In most cases, there are no specific entry requirements for enrolment, however this varies according to the type of program you want to do. Some vocational courses may require that you can demonstrate certain skills or knowledge prior to enrolment.

Check with your local ACE provider or Adult Community and Further Education Regional Office.

Fees and charges

Course fees apply depending on the course or its length. Fee concessions may be available for learners with a Health Care card or where it can be demonstrated that individuals would have difficulty in meeting the full enrolment fees. Further information is available from Adult Community Education providers.

Find an ACE course

To find an ACE course learners may contact their local Adult and Community and Further Education Regional Council office to find out where to access courses and cost of courses.

List of Regional Councils and regional providers of training courses (http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au/rgclist.htm) on the Adult, Community and Futher Education Board website.

The Adult, Community and Futher Education Board website also provides a list of services that may be used to find a course on their Where can I find out more about courses in ACE? web page

More information

For more information about ACE courses and providers, see: Adult Community and Further Education Regional Offices (http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au/rgclist.htm)

For more information about short courses, see: Short Courses Victoria (http://www.shortcourses.vic.gov.au)