FAQs

Vocational Education and Training (VET)  gives students skills and knowledge for work. VET operates through a national training system, and is delivered, assessed and certified by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).  The accredited training is from an endorsed Training Package under Australian Qualification Training Framework guidelines.

The training may occur at a school, TAFE SA or a private Registered Training Organisation (RTO).  Most AHSPs courses will include a Structured Workplace Learning placement. 

Benefits

• Opportunities to explore areas of interest which assist students in making decisions about further study and work

• VET qualifications are nationally recognised

• Students will gain credit towards traineeships and apprenticeships

• Student’s VET results will also be included as part of the student’s South Australian Certification of Education (SACE) requirements (see the SACE Board website for further information)

• Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) increases opportunities for employment.  The skills and knowledge gained whilst completing the work placement are what employers want.

Students are able to include a significant amount of VET in their SACE studies, up to 150 SACE credits at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 for successfully completed VET (see the SACE Board website for further information)

Time out of school to complete your course or Structured Work Placement means you will need to work closely with your subject teachers to ensure your other studies are not disadvantaged.  Students intending to complete a VET course will need to be well organised as it requires managing their school study as well as VET course study, work placement etc.

VET can count towards tertiary entrance for university and TAFE as “Recognised Studies” (to a maximum of 20 credits in an ATAR and/or a TAFE SA Selection Score. Students also need to satisfy all other university entrance criteria.)

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For completed VET qualifications to count as Recognised Studies, they must be:

• A completed Certificate III level (or higher)

• recognised in the SACE at Stage 2 for at least 10 credits

​​This means that on completion of secondary school, students will receive their SACE certificate (and may receive an ATAR score), as well as a Certificate III .  See the VET Recognition Register www.sace.sa.edu.au/web/vet/vet-recognition-register for details.

See your VET Coordinator and visit www.sace.sa.edu.au/web/vet for further information.

If you complete a Diploma or Advanced Diploma through a training organisation, this may give you credit in a related University Bachelors degree (for example in some cases completing a Diploma will give you 1 years’ credit in your Bachelors degree).

Flinders Uni        Credit transfer

Uni of Adelaide  Articulation

UniSA                    Credit-for-your-study

Training and consumable costs for each course are detailed on the course descriptor page of this website.

The cost of courses varies – it includes training and any associated consumables.  There may also be a cost for transport to another site.  Contact your VET Coordinator at your school to discuss the funding arrangements specific for your school.

Students who withdraw before completion of a VET course may be charged the full cost of the course.  Check with your school for more details.

If you change schools before your VET course starts, then the school you are leaving is not obliged to pay for your VET course.  You may be charged full course fees or lose your place.

If you change schools in the middle of the course then the school you are leaving may seek reimbursement for the cost they have incurred. 

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) enables students to gain specific skills on-the-job.  The skills reflect nationally-recognised, industry defined competency standards, which have been developed by industry training bodies.  A student’s time in SWL, as part of their VET course, can contribute to their SACE.

Work Experience offers students a general taste of the world of work.  Students observe different aspects of work carried out and assist with tasks nominated by their supervisor or employer.  Students are able to develop a better understanding of generic employability skills valued in the workplace.

School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships allow you to train and do paid work in an industry area while you are still at school studying for your SACE.  For more information on SBAT’s, speak with your school’s VET Coordinator.

Full details and eligibility checker is available at www.skills.sa.gov.au/courses-careers/eligibility-explained.

For more information, please visit https://providers.skills.sa.gov.au