Beyond School 16+
Whether you have just left school or want to return to study, there is an exciting range of study and career options available.
Types of education and training providers
There are four main types of education providers offering study and training to adults or students who have left school. There are opportunities to study online or off-campus. You can talk to them direct to find out what they have on offer and if it suits your needs.
Adult Community Education
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.
Approximately 85,000 people access vocational training and education through ACE centres in Victoria.
TAFE institutes
TAFE institutes offer an affordable and flexible option for everything from training for your first job and updating your skills for a new job or promotion, to starting study as a mature-age student.
The most popular study choices are:
- business-related studies, including computer skills for business, clerical and administrative subjects
- community services and health, including training for nursing, counselling, welfare and personal care
- generic skills, including programs developing job preparedness, language, literacy and numeracy skills.
Approximately 425,000 people access vocational training and education through 19 TAFE institutes in Victoria.
Registered training organisations
Registered training organisations (RTOs) are approved to teach, assess and issue vocational education and training qualifications that are recognised all over Australia. There are two types of RTOs:
- TAFE institutes - public sector organisations that are Victoria's largest providers of post-compulsory education and training
- Private RTOs - private organisations that provide government-funded training and/or fee-for-service training. They include group training companies, commercial institutions, adult and community education organisations and industry training centres
There are more than 1100 private RTOs in Victoria.
University
University provides higher education at two levels: undergraduate and postgraduate. In Victoria, there are nine public universities and more than 50 private providers, including four TAFE institutions and six interstate universities offering higher education programs.
Career and study options available
As well as studying at University, TAFE, or an accredited training couse provided by a registered training provider there are other options for study, training and work. These include:
- Apprenticeships & traineeships - allow you to learn skills in a particular industry by working and training on the job. In most cases there is off-the-job training as well, usually with a TAFE institute or a private training provider
- Adult VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) - can be studied by adults and completed in one year. Adults undertake VCE as a pathway to courses at universities and TAFE institutes, more satisfying work opportunities, or personal enrichment
Find a course
To find the right course among the thousands on offer, you will have to do a little homework, either online or on the phone.
Visit the Find a Subject or Course page to find information about subjects and courses in Victorian schools, TAFEs and training providers, adult community education centres and universities.
More information
Information is available from the following websites:
Adult Community and Further Education Regional Offices (http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au/rgclist.htm) - find local providers of education and training opportunities and personal development programs for people of all ages
Centrelink (http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/st_index.htm) - access all relevant education and training information and apply for payments online
Short Courses Victoria (http://www.shortcourses.vic.gov.au) - allows you to search for the course you want, and find a course provider that is conveniently located near your home or work
TAFE Courses Directory (http://www.tafe.vic.gov.au) - an up-to-date listing of more than 1400 accredited courses on offer from TAFE Institutes and other training providers across Victoria
Going to Uni (http://www.goingtouni.gov.au) - provides support and information for university students
myfuture (http://www.myfuture.edu.au/) - career information service to help find out about career options and get help to plan your study