Youth Guarantee - Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Youth Guarantee?
- Why has the Government included a guaranteed place in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006?
- Who is eligible?
- What does Year 12 or equivalent include?
- What is guaranteed?
- Does the guaranteed place apply to VET in schools students?
- Why does the guaranteed place only apply to students aged 20 or younger?
- Do students undertaking the Youth Guarantee have to pay fees?
- How can I get more information?
What is the Youth Guarantee?
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 provides a guaranteed place in TAFE Institutions, the Centre for Adult Education, Adult Multicultural Education Services and participating adult community education providers, to young people who have not completed Year 12 or its equivalent.
Why has the Government included a guaranteed place in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006?
The guarantee is a key element of the Government’s commitment to deliver quality education and training to all young people now and well into the future. Victoria is the first Australian State or Territory to make this commitment in legislation.
Who is eligible?
Under the legislation, a person is eligible for a guaranteed place if he or she is under the age of 20 years on 1 January of the year in which the training takes place, and has not completed Year 12 or equivalent.
What does Year 12 or equivalent include?
Year 12 or equivalent includes the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) at Intermediate level or higher, International Baccalaureate Diploma program or vocational education and training qualifications at Certificate II level or higher.
What is guaranteed?
Education providers are required to offer a place to eligible young people in a timely manner as a matter of priority. Young people will be able to access all the courses available to other students at the particular provider. Education providers will work to place young people in courses that will meet their needs and are consistent with government training priorities.
Subject to entry requirements, young people will be able to enrol in courses at any level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, including the VCE and VCAL.
Does the guaranteed place apply to VET in schools students?
The guarantee applies to young people who have left school early. There is no change under the new Education and Training Reform Act 2006 to current VET in schools arrangements for students who stay at school.
Why does the guaranteed place only apply to students aged 20 or younger?
During public consultations when the new Act was being developed, there was strong support for a guaranteed place for young people wanting to complete their secondary qualifications in a non-school setting, such as a TAFE Institute. The guarantee will ensure that there are sufficient places available for these students.
Do students undertaking the Youth Guarantee have to pay fees?
Student fees and charges will apply in TAFE Institutes and public training providers. Students on low incomes will be eligible for the exemptions or concessions that are currently available.
In 2005, a new fees and charges policy for government funded vocational education and training was introduced. The policy expanded the number of students eligible for concession fees, by granting concessions to all Health Care Card and Pensioner Card holders.
How can I get more information?
For more information see: