Beyond School

TAFE - Frequently Asked Questions

What is it like to study at a TAFE Institute?

TAFE study usually takes place in small classes, typically of about 20 students, rather than in large lectures. Students are given individual attention. Classes are held both daytime and evening, and your class may contain a range of adult students of various ages and backgrounds, some studying full-time and others part-time. TAFE Institutes offer personal and career counselling services. Institutes have cafeterias, study facilities, computers and libraries. Most TAFE Institutes have a recreation officer who helps organise leisure activities, hobby and sporting clubs, and on-campus entertainment.

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When do non-VTAC applications close?

Non-VTAC application closing dates vary across TAFE Institutes. It is important to ensure that you send in your applications before the deadline to secure a place. Most courses commencing in February accept applications between September and November of the previous year. Some popular courses close as early as September and some remain open until early February. Some courses have mid-year intakes, and applications for these are made from March to June.

Most TAFE Institutes have course information for the following year available from the end of July.

You should contact TAFE Institutes directly for individual course brochures and information about closing dates for specific courses.

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What entry requirements are there for TAFE courses?

Many TAFE courses require satisfactory completion of VCE or VCAL (Year 12 of secondary school). Some may require that you be employed or have previous work experience in a relevant area. Others may require that you have studied a particular subject or subjects. There are special conditions for mature-age students. However, some courses have no educational requirements.

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How are students selected into courses?

All offers for entry to TAFE courses, including those processed by VTAC, are made by the TAFE Institutes. Institutes have their own selection procedures and these vary from course to course. Your performance at interviews and tests can be important. Some practical courses require you to show a folio of your work. To increase your chances of getting in to a non-VTAC application course, you should apply to several TAFEs and Registered Training Organisations.

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What about doing Year 12 at TAFE?

If you are under 20 years of age you now have a guaranteed place in which to complete Year 12 in a TAFE institute or other public training setting.

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What if I’m a mature-age student?

If you are over 18 and have been out of full-time education for at least one year, TAFE classifies you as a ‘mature-age student’. Institutes offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competency (RCC), which recognise skills you have gained through life and work experience. This may reduce the time it takes to complete your course. Fees may be charged for these RPL or RCC services. Contact providers directly for details about mature-age entry, RPL and RCC.

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Will a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation give me credits for training I have completed at another TAFE or Registered Training Organisation?

All TAFE Institutes and Registered Training Organisation are obliged to recognise nationally recognised qualifications that have been issued by another TAFE or Registered Training Organisation.

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Does TAFE offer distance and online learning courses?

TAFE refer to distance learning courses as off-campus studies or flexible learning. These courses will give you the same qualifications as you would receive if you studied full-time on campus. The advantage is that you study at your own pace at a place convenient to you. It is also possible to have a mix of on-campus and off campus studies. This is called flexible delivery. The TAFE Virtual Campus (www.tafevc.com.au) teaching and learning platform is used by many Victorian TAFE providers to deliver online courses. If you wish to study flexibly and you are considering an accredited TAFE program, the TAFE Virtual Campus allows you to study with TAFE Institutes, universities with TAFE divisions, Adult and Community Education (ACE) providers and many private Registered Training Organisations at a cost similar to on-campus study. Otherwise TAFE Institutes have their own online courses.

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Are there any TAFE courses that I can start if I have a job or other daytime commitments?

Yes, there are many evening classes for students who cannot attend during the day and some Institutes offer weekend classes. Some courses can be studied at home through off-campus studies online or via mail correspondence.

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Can I study at TAFE if I’m from overseas?

TAFE Institutes offer quality training and education to international students in a wide range of areas. Each institute has an International Office that provides support services in learning and social needs for students from all countries.

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Can I do VCE/VCAL full-time at a TAFE Institute instead of at school?

TAFE offers VCE and VCAL programs. Students over 16 are eligible for entry to these courses full-time or part-time.

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Can I study VET subjects while I am still at school?

Yes, there are two ways you can do VET studies in combination with your VCE and VCAL (Years 11 and 12). A range of VET programs in 30 industry areas can now be studied as part of the VCE and VCAL. From 1999, eight of the 16 units required for satisfactory completion of the VCE are recognised VET units.

Students who undertake VET in the VCE program can complete their secondary schooling with a full VCE qualification, a TAFE qualification and a tertiary entrance ranking. Their TAFE units can also give them a head start in completing further TAFE study.

Another option is to do a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship at the same time as completing your VCE or VCAL. This involves a contract of training and paid employment while continuing to study at school.

For more information see: VET in VCE (www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vet/)

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Does TAFE assist people with disabilities and disadvantages?

Many TAFE Institutes have trained staff to help students with disabilities succeed in their studies. Special equipment, counselling and tutoring services may also be available. Contact individual TAFE Institutes for further details.

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Does TAFE offer assistance to people with special needs?

Many TAFE Institutes have special entry schemes for people who do not meet current entry requirements. Applicants who belong to one of the following groups may be eligible for special consideration:

In addition, most TAFE Institutes have a Koorie Liaison Officer and a Disability Liaison Officer.

Please contact your local TAFE if you have a question about the practical support you can receive while at TAFE.

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Can I get Austudy or youth allowance for a TAFE course?

Yes, if you are eligible. The Commonwealth Government provides financial assistance for students through: Youth Allowance (for full-time students aged 16-24 and other young people aged up to 21) ABSTUDY payment (for full-time students aged 25 and over).

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But I still have more questions!

Telephone the Department of Education’s Information & Referral Service on 1800 809 834, for the cost of a local call in Victoria and the 0260 area of southern New South Wales.

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Choose a TAFE that’s right for you

There are 18 TAFE Institutes and universities with TAFE divisions right across Victoria, each with its own academic focus, campus locations and unique student culture. Choosing an institute that best suits you will ensure your time at TAFE is enjoyable and rewarding.

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Get involved at TAFE

Like university, TAFE provides students with great opportunities to get involved in a wide range of social, sporting and cultural activities. So whether you are interested in theatre, film, skiing, tae kwon do or politics, you will find a club or society at TAFE to suit your interests.

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Student welfare

Whether you are going straight from school or returning to study you will be faced with new challenges and changes to your lifestyle. Victorian TAFE Institutes offer a variety of services to students to help you successfully adapt to your new circumstances. Your TAFE’s Student Services Officer is there to assist you to negotiate problems you may experience as a student.

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Off-campus study

Check out the TAFE Virtual Campus website (www.tafevc.com.au) to find out about online study options available through TAFE and other Registered Training Organisations. You can study an accredited TAFE program from the comfort of your home and apply online for study at a cost similar to on-campus study. The website (www.tafevc.com.au) contains information on a broad range of online learning modules offered by TAFE Institutes, Adult and Community Education providers and Registered Training Organisations in Victoria. You can search the online courses catalogue and choose the module and provider that best suits your needs.