Northern Territory TAFE Courses
TAFE/VET courses in the Northern Territory
This page offers information on TAFE courses available in the Northern Territory, highlighting popular institutions like Charles Darwin University. It also covers essential aspects such as government funding for TAFE in the region, including Darwin. TAFE caters to a diverse group of learners, from recent high school graduates and professionals seeking formal qualifications to individuals interested in short courses near their home or workplace. Depending on the qualification level, these courses aim to prepare you for the workforce, enhance your current job skills, or contribute to your personal development.
What is TAFE?
TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education. This education type offers additional training and qualifications in specific fields. In Darwin and the Northern Territory, numerous short and VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses are available from various providers. TAFE (Technical and Further Education) can be found within universities, like Charles Latrobe University, or at dedicated training institutions that exclusively offer TAFE courses.
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Popular TAFE Courses
What is a VET course?
VET stands for Vocational Education and Training. There are a number of different types of VET courses, including:
What study options for TAFE courses are available in the Northern Territory?
Semester courses
This means that the year is split into two halves with a break in between. Not all courses are available every semester, so careful planning is important, and its best to contact the university to find out exactly when your desired course is available.
Short courses
Short courses are available for both professional and personal purposes at a number of universities and training organisations in the Northern Territory. They can be for a nationally accredited professional development, as a building block for a TAFE certificate course, or simply to improve your own life skills.
Correspondence courses
In a country as large as Australia, online learning is rapidly becoming a very popular option. Online courses are suitable for a number of people, as it allows adults who need to work to study, building on current qualifications or re-skilling into a new area. Some online courses still have attendance requirements for particular subjects, due to their technical nature, but this information is available from the university itself on enrolment.
Blended learning
Blended learning is a way of studying that involves both online and in class training, an option at many universities and TAFE schools in the Northern Territory. Not all courses have blended learning options so its best to refer to the training organisations website.
What types of courses are available in NT?
There are a multitude of TAFE courses available in the Northern Territory, including:
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Subjects available at Charles Darwin University
Environmental Science
Beauty Services
Building, Design & Architecture
Business & Commerce
Hospitality
Education
Information Technology
More education providers
There are an array of registered organisations within the Northern Territory who provide training in a wide range of areas. The below list outlines some of these organisations and a little about what they have to offer.
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
This education facility provides training specifically for Indigenous people, with training and study designed with both way perspective, a culturally safe environment, high class facilities and formal VET qualifications. There is free academic support both on campus and online available for students. The university aims to engage Indigenous students in further education in a way that allows them to develop skills that will assist in solving issues facing the Indigenous community.
Alana Kaye College
This college was founded in 2011 and has a Darwin campus easily accessible by public transport both via Darwin and Palmerston. They provide a number of nationally accredited courses in business, early childhood education and Care and first aid, along with a number of other areas. Their programs are designed to allow for further studies should they be necessary or desired.
Australian Careers College
This college in Darwin provides training for international and domestic students in Business, Early Childhood Education and Individual Support (Aged Care).
Carey Training
Carey Training provides quality VET courses, with a focus on mining and construction related training. The organisation was formed in 2002, initially for Indigenous students, but high levels of interest from other sources led to the company casting their net wider. They work closely with a variety of jobseeker service providers, and focus heavily on preparation for employment, as well as formal qualifications for those looking to upskill current industry knowledge.
What short courses are available in the Northern Territory?
There are a number of short courses available at universities and training organisations in Darwin, both for recreational and professional purposes, some of which are listed below:
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Living and studying in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a vibrant, community minded area known for its stunning beauty and wildlife. Home to the incredible Uluru, Kings Canyon, the Katherine Gorge and any other number of incredible natural wonders. Darwin, it’s capital, features an active nightlife and laid back lifestyle, with a multitude of entertainments.
Outdoor Activities
Day or weekend trips to a multitude of the Northern Territory’s best sites leave regularly from Darwin. These tours are available for a range of budgets, and if a tour doesn’t serve your needs there are a number of options that will allow you to set your own timetable for exploring. Closer to Darwin, Casuarina Beach, the Esplanade and the Nightcliff foreshore all offer ideal picnic areas, accessible by both walking and biking. There is a Botanical Gardens perfect for social media photo opportunities and the Darwin Waterfront regularly offers free concerts and films. These are perfect opportunities to discover the Northern Territory while training in the area.
Student Living
There are over 100 multicultural communities in the Northern Territory, so regardless of where you’re from, Darwin will welcome you! There are a number of festivals every year, offering social and culinary delights for students to experience. Most festivals are either free to attend or require a gold coin donation. There are also markets offering fresh produce, food and arts and crafts. These are a fantastic place for students to find cheap food and one of a kind pieces to decorate student accommodation.
Government funding for TAFE courses in the Northern Territory
There are a number of government funding initiatives for TAFE courses available for students, both at Charles Darwin University and at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, as well as several independent training organisations. To be eligible for funding, the organisation must be registered as a National Training Organisation, and students must; live in the Northern Territory, be over 17 and have left school, and preference is given to those who don’t already hold a Cert III qualification or over. Citizenship requirements apply.
There are over 100 subsidised courses under the Northern Territory Training Entitlement, including: