Broadly speaking, when considering a TAFE or vocational education qualification in Brisbane there are three options:
- TAFE Queensland Brisbane
- Private VET providers – RTO’s
- Online study
Here we will cover all three options.
As long as the institution is nationally accredited, the qualification you receive on completion is identical at all three. One major consideration in choosing where to study depends on your preference for studying online or in-class. Both TAFE Brisbane and private providers have online options but if you would prefer to study in-class, you may be limited by what is available in your area. If you’re unsure which study method you would prefer, read the “Online vs In-class – What’s best for me?” section below.
Depending on the type of course you are looking to study or your preference for learning in-class or online the right institution for you may vary. Let’s take a looks at your options.
TAFE Queensland Brisbane
TAFE Queensland Brisbane was founded over 130 years ago so they know a thing or two about vocational education.
It was only in 2013 that TAFE Queensland was formed as it is known today. It was established as an independent statutory body under the TAFE Queensland Act 2013.
TAFE Queensland Brisbane is one of six regions that make up TAFE Queensland. Collectively, they span across the majority of the state from Townsville to Dalby and right down east coast and across the south-east.
STATS THAT MATTER
> Over 180,000 students educated by TAFE Queensland each year
> Over 40,000 by TAFE Queensland Brisbane
The Brisbane component of TAFE Queensland was formed via the amalgamation of three institutes:
- Brisbane North Institute of TAFE (BNIT)
- Metropolitan South Insistute if TAFE (MSIT)
- Southbank Institute of TAFE
All three were large in their own right with 15 campuses and revenues of $80-$100 million. Now, as a combined force, it is one of the largest vocational education institutes in Australia.
What can I study at TAFE Brisbane?
Basically anything. Whether you are looking for a course to get you started in a new career, to upskill or as a pathway to university, TAFE Brisbane will most likely have the course for you. They have nationally recognised Certificate and Diploma level qualifications in areas including but not limited to:
- Aged Care
- Beauty and Hairdressing
- Education
- Business
- Fashion,
- Hospitality
- Nursing
- Allied Health
- Sports and recreation
- Transport and logistics
- Tourism and events
The range of study options are almost endless. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, online or in-class and there are multiple intakes throughout the year so you can get started at a time that suits you.
In addition to Certificate and Diploma levels courses, there are also short courses and apprenticeship and traineeship programs.
Locations
South Bank 66 Ernest Street South Brisbane Qld 4101
Alexandra Hills Windemere Road Alexandra Hills Qld 4161
Bracken Ridge 157 Norris Road Bracken Ridge Qld 4017
Caboolture Tallon Street Caboolture Qld 4510
Grovely Fitzsimmons Street Keperra Qld 4054
Loganlea 50-68 Armstrong Road Meadowbrook Qld 4131
Mount Gravatt 1030 Cavendish Road Mt Gravatt Qld 4122
Redcliffe 64-68 Klingner Road Redcliffe Qld 4020
There is an option to study online with TAFE Brisbane as well. Online courses are available in areas such as Business, Accounting, Aged Care, Early Childhood Education and Care, Education Support, IT and more.
STAT THAT MATTERS
> Over 11,000 students study online via TAFE Queensland Brisbane annually
As you can see above, there are many location options in the Brisbane area but if you prefer the flexibility of online study, there’s a good chance they will have you covered there too.
What about private VET providers?
There is an alternative to TAFE.
Private Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers are called Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s). In recent years the federal Government has made the vocational education environment more competitive by allowing RTO’s to access more funding. This has been to the benefit of students for a couple of reasons:
- The cost of education is being driven down in some areas due to the increased competition.
- With more providers competing, providers are being forced to increase their level of service and the quality of education offered.
DID YOU KNOW?
The qualification received from an RTO is exactly the same as TAFE.
RTO’s are regulated by ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority). ASQA’s aim is to provide consistency in the way RTO’s are registered and monitored and in how standards in the VET sectors are enforced.
So whether you decide to study at an RTO or a TAFE in Brisbane, you can be comfortable in the knowledge that there is no difference in the qualification you will receive.
What options are available at RTO’s in Brisbane?
The majority of courses offered at TAFE are also offered at RTO’s throughout Brisbane. Depending on the qualification you are seeking, it may be worth investigating both options before locking one down. TAFE’s and private providers are getting very competitive so it’s worth seeing what’s around.
Online vs in-class – What’s best for me?
Whilst TAFE Brisbane and other local RTO’s have most areas of the city covered if you’re looking to study in-class, there is also the option of studying online. Some people just prefer the face-to-face learning environment, but if you’re open to studying online, there are a number of advantages:
- Generally online is cheaper
- Study where and when you want
- Flexibility – most online courses are self-paced
There are a number of local Brisbane RTO’s that offer courses online such as Online Courses Australia and Inspire Education. To view a full list of all online courses click here.
TAFE Brisbane also offer online courses ranging from Certificate II to advanced Diploma level. They have a dedicated student support team to ensure you achieve the most out of your course. You also have access to the learning space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, giving you completely flexibility to get your study done whilst juggling the rest of your life.