At our College, we are pleased to have partnerships and exist in a corridor where there are many accessible Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that offer a suite of VET offerings for senior secondary students.
Important to note
Students wishing to undertake a full day of Vocational Education and Training (VET), such as through TAFE at School, a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT), or another qualification that requires a full day of learning away from the College, may do so through either the Career-related Pathway or the Blended Pathway.
What is VET?
Australian vocational education and training (VET) is also known as 'skills training'. Australia's TAFE (Technical and Further Education) are the largest providers of VET.
VET courses are practical and skills-based, and many study areas include work placements or workplace-based learning. Nationally accredited VET courses are designed and taught by industry experts and are delivered by:
- government-owned technical and further education (TAFE) institutes
- independent registered training providers (RTOs), and
- dual sector universities that offer VET and higher education programs.
Qualification levels
Each VET qualification can be a first step towards a new job or a new skill, or a pathway to further study. Certificates I, II and III are most commonly studied whilst paired with secondary school studies.
Certificate I
Duration: 4 to 6 months
Career outcome: Competent operator
Certificate II
Duration: About 1 year
Career outcome: Advanced operator
Certificate III
Duration: About 1 year
Career outcome: Qualified tradesperson or technician
Why study a VET course?
Taught by industry experts
All VET teachers and trainers in Australia must have recent and relevant experience in their industry. This means you will learn from industry professionals who can share their expertise and experience, industry insights and trends, and knowledge of skills areas in high demand.
Pathways to university or further study in Year 13 and beyond
An Australian VET qualification can be a stepping stone towards further study or a higher education (university level) degree. In some fields of study, a VET qualification can even provide study credit towards a degree.
Pathways to work
Australia's VET system has a world-class reputation for aligning qualifications with industry needs, so what you learn will be what you need for your job. Based on expert industry advice, Australian VET courses are continuously updated to equip students with skills in demand locally and internationally. Most VET courses take less time to complete than a higher education degree, so you can be job-ready sooner.
Diverse learning environments
You can study on-campus, in a classroom or in a workplace using hands-on experience and competency based learning.
Top-quality learning spaces and equipment
Many VET providers give students access to state-of-the-art learning spaces and equipment – either on their own campuses or in workplaces. Some campuses also have simulated and actual work environments, such as hospital wards, cybersecurity labs, construction sites or beauty salons, to help prepare you for real-world jobs.
Future-focused learning with the latest technology
Emerging technologies are a part of many courses and teaching practices in Australian VET. Some training providers are creating learning environments that use virtual, augmented and immersive reality. Others teach courses in robotics, the use of drones and other life-changing technologies, giving you confidence to graduate job-ready in the latest skills and techniques.
Why study as a school student?
Participating in a VET course while at school may:
- provide credit toward your Queensland Certificate of Education;
- contribute to the calculation of your tertiary selection rank;
- support your transition to employment, vocational and higher education.
For more information on combining a VET qualification with a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, follow this
link.
Changes to VET in 2026
Previous Funding
VET in Schools (VETiS) program
Historically funded by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, the VETiS program covered training fees for VET courses that were aligned to jobs and skills in demand, putting secondary school students on a path to employment and further VET opportunities. From 2026, this model of funding has been amended as part of the Queensland Skills Strategy and is now called Career Ready VET in Schools .
There is still an emphasis on a suite of successful programs such as:
- Gateway to Industry Schools program;
- School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs);
- Certificate I and II qualifications aligned to VET careers in demand for the economy and informed by industry consultation; and
- Non-accredited Career Tasters in Year 10.
All these programs focus on supporting students into employment pathways.
The qualifications available for study under Career Ready have been supported by industry and align to the state's most in-demand skills.
Participation in courses funded through Career Ready is free for Year 11 and 12 students. This doesn't exclude students from completing other training through their school or by paying for a course (fee for service) with a training provider.
Training continues to be delivered by TAFE and other quality-assured, approved funded training providers known as Skills Assure Suppliers (SAS).
How does Careers-Ready work?
Accredited courses are subject to evolving details, restrictions of the Career Ready provisional list and awarding of SAS contracts by DTET.
For example:
- Enrolment in the vocational qualifications and accredited courses listed will be subject to the DTET final publication of the 2026 Career Ready VETiS funded qualifications. A provisional list has been identified with confirmation expected in the second half of 2026.
- Changes to government-funded VET delivery must be taken into consideration for all new VET enrolments of Years 11 and 12 students in 2026.
- Existing government-funded VET delivery arrangements will be grandfathered, allowing all students currently enrolled in these qualifications to complete their training.
Some of the more popular courses that our students have investigated or are undertaking include the list below:
Certificate II Cookery/Certificate III Hospitality (Traineeship)
Cert II Autonomous Technologies/Cert III Aviation (Remote Pilot)
Cert I Construction/Cert II Furniture Making
Certificate II/III Applied Languages
Certificate II in Health Support Services/III in Health Services Assistance
Links to other RTOs:
School-Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) allow secondary school students (usually in Years 10, 11 or 12) to earn a wage, train towards a nationally recognised qualification and study towards their Queensland Certificate of Education at the same time.
A SAT can kick-start your career and learn invaluable, real-life workplace skills and hands-on industry experience.
Specific requirements
There are specific requirements for SATs that apply to:
- age limits;
- paid work and minimum hours;
- parental consent;
- school support and timetables.
Some of the training and/or work must take place during school hours.
Read more about eligibility and requirements.
(Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/education/apprenticeships/school-based/overview)
Some Apprenticeship or Traineeship Providers
Partnerships
International Baccalaureate | Brisbane South SSC | TAFE Queensland
In a world-first initiative, Brisbane South SSC has facilitated a pioneering partnership between the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and TAFE Queensland.
This innovative collaboration provides students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Programme (IBCP) with access to targeted, co-designed Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses that align with and support the integration of the IBCP core. By combining academic learning with industry-relevant qualifications, students benefit from a unique pathway that enhances both their educational experience and future career opportunities.
More information is available in the below press release: