TAFE Courses in SA
Our guide to TAFE courses in South Australia will help you decide on the ideal course for you in this diverse state.
TAFE can provide you with all the skills and knowledge you need to excel in your career, no matter what you choose to do. With so many options available to you, as well as plenty of opportunities to advance your understanding both through work placement and theory work; you’ll be ready to hit the ground running. SA is one of the biggest TAFE providers in the country, with institutes spread across the state as well as online courses to suit everyone’s needs.
Study TAFE courses full-time, part-time or online, depending on your personal or work commitments.
+1,300
COURSES AVAILABLE
48
TAFE SA CAMPUSES AVAILABLE
+290
LEARNING CENTRES AND DELIVERY SITES
Why study TAFE in SA?
As the largest vocational education and training (VET) provider in South Australia and one of the largest in Australia, TAFE SA has been in existence since 1971. The institutions provide over 1,000 courses to more than 70,000 students all throughout South Australia. With such a broad range of courses available at TAFE in SA, there is something for everyone. This is complemented by the flexible delivery options that can be tailored to match whatever schedules you are operating on. With a strong international reputation, TAFE South Australia attracts students from more than 70 countries across the globe. This means no matter where you go, there will be like-minded people studying alongside you.TAFE in South Australia has a history of delivering quality graduates to the workforce. Not only that, TAFE SA also delivers online TAFE courses and short courses in Adelaide that contribute to a skilled and sustainable workforce for South Australia. I
To complement that, almost 93% of all students would recommend TAFE SA to others thinking about joining a short course in Adelaide, TAFE SA online courses, or any other course at TAFE in South Australia. The institution regularly listens to industry groups to ensure they are delivering graduates who meet the needs of the ever-evolving industries driving the South Australian workforce.
TAFE SA enjoys a major presence in the education arena of this state. and has campuses spread throughout the major regions, including the metropolitan area around Adelaide, Barossa & Riverland, Eyre & West Coast, Southern regions, Yorke & Northern regions. Complementing this geographical campus spread is its solid percentage of learning centres and Aboriginal Access Centres.
SA boasts the best programs and program combinations in SA. TAFE SA works diligently to maintain this study course range, so this means that while you are looking for your preferred study programme while reviewing alternatives, you’re almost certain to find the perfect solution.
Popular TAFE Courses
Over 1,300 qualifications and courses to choose
TAFE SA is one of the largest TAFE providers in the country, with thousands of courses to help you find the perfect qualification for your needs.
48 Campuses in SA
No matter where you’re located, there’s bound to be a major camus close by. There’s plenty of locations available, in both Adelaide and rural South Australian regions.
70,000 Students
South Australia boasts some of the highest TAFE student numbers, with tens of thousands of students choosing to undertake their education at TAFE SA every year.
400 Short courses in dozens of subject areas
If you’re looking to improve your knowledge, for your career or personal development, there’s hundreds of TAFE SA short courses to help you. With online, in-class and blended delivery options available, there really is something for everyone.
TAFE courses in SA – Which should I study?
There are many types of courses in South Australia. These vary in terms of length, specialisation, and learning method. TAFE SA has many flexible options to allow you to find a course that suits your interests, abilities, and capacity.
Types of courses
These are the typical university or TAFE degrees. Graduates will leave with a recognised qualification such as a Certificate III in Horticulture. These can also be up to the diploma or bachelor’s level. Some of the higher-qualified courses are taught in partnership with South Australian universities such as Flinders University or the University of Adelaide.
Some TAFE certificate IV courses, diploma and advanced diploma courses present pathways to a selection of universities in Australia. These universities include the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Charles Stuart University, Flinders University, University of Tasmania, University of Southern Queensland, and Endeavour College of Natural Health. So the range of institutions is vast.
Short courses are non-award courses typically offered in areas of general interest and provide useful and easy-to-manage teachings. They can also be a pathway to further study, allowing graduates to gain entry into higher award-based programs. They can also be a great way to enhance your personal knowledge or pick up a fun new hobby. TAFE SA offers short courses in three distinct types: leisure, professional development and online.
Some of the areas you can study short courses in include:
TAFE SA offers a variety of supportive and interactive online TAFE courses for students who can’t manage classes. The same applies to those who prefer studying from home (or wherever they have an internet connection).
Student interaction is vital to studying almost regardless of subject matter. TAFE SA has made online learning more accessible through Moodle, a special facility that allows students to exchange ideas and pose questions using online chats and forums. It also facilitates communication between students and their lecturers and tutors; plus gives access to interactive resources such as podcasts, electronic books and videos.
Online study areas include:
Available courses in Adelaide and SA
If you’re looking for online, in-class, or blended courses at TAFE, South Australia is a great place to start looking. As one of the leading providers in Australia, you can rest assured you’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your industry.
- Advanced Diploma of Accounting
- Certificate II in Animal Studies
- Certificate II in Engineering
- Certificate III in Hairdressing
- Certificate III in Accounts Administration
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Certificate IV in Education Support
- Certificate IV in Information Technology-Networking
- Diploma of Hospitality
- Diploma of Management
- Diploma of Marketing
TAFE in Adelaide
As the capital city of South Australia, it is home to multiple TAFE Australia courses. The city of Adelaide sits on a narrow plain between the coast and the Adelaide hills, and has a metropolitan area covering over 90km from the north of the city to the south. It is a dynamic and thriving city that houses more than 75% of the population of South Australia. It is also the home of 12 different TAFE SA campuses.
Adelaide offers so much to Australian students interested in a range of activities and a marvellous quality of life in Adelaide. This diverse range of interests means a great quality of life and also many learning experiences in the sporting, cultural and recreational pursuits while taking advantage of the quality of the TAFE institutes and other higher education opportunities. So for students studying TAFE courses in South Australia, it’s multiple wins, jam-packed with a good life filled with wonderful experiences. South Australia’s annual agenda includes beaches and festivals, museums and galleries, and outdoor adventures.
Many of the award courses and university pathway courses are on offer on a semester basis. Such courses include TAFE Certificates, Diplomas, and Advanced Diplomas. These curricula mean that they have a fixed schedule which students (and lecturers) are required to follow. Classroom-based and online courses are held on a semester basis. These days, students can register for full-time or part-time semester courses. TAFE SA has endeavoured to provide maximum flexibility in supporting students and their study choices.
Subjects available at South Metropolitan TAFE SA
- Aerospace, Maritime & Logistics
- Agriculture, Animals, Science & Environment
- Automotive
- Building & Construction
- Business & Finance
- Creative Industries
- Defence
- Education & Community Services
- Engineering & Mining
- English, Languages & Foundation Studies
- Health, Beauty & Fitness
- Hospitality, Tourism & Events
- Information Technology, Library & Digital
TAFE SA Adelaide and metro campuses
Adelaide Campus
AFE SA Adelaide is home to specialist facilities such as a fashion design and manufacturing workshop, an IT and innovation hub. The Adelaide city TAFE campus has a hair and beauty-training salon that also offers supervised hair and beauty services to the public, providing a real-world training environment.
Elizabeth Campus
The Elizabeth campus features courses in Adelaide, specialising in an automotive workshop, a metal fabrication workshop, and a multi-trade building and construction workshop. Like the Adelaide city TAFE, it also has a hair and beauty training salon, open to public customers.
Giles Plain Campus
This campus offers TAFE SA courses with specialist facilities that include: the Veterinary and Applied Science Centre, the Centre for Dental Studies, wool classing workshop, aquaculture tanks and facilities, stockyards, grazing paddocks and slaughterhouse.
Noarlunga Campus
Specialised services include an automotive workshop, metal fabrication workshop, multi-trade building and construction workshop, as well as a hair and beauty training salon.
Parafield Campus
Located at an airport the Parafield campus offers TAFE South Australia courses in specialised facilities that include an aviation mechanics’ workshop, library, transport, and parking.
Port Adelaide Campus
Including the Port Adelaide Child Care Centre, cafeteria and library, the Port Adelaide TAFE is located close to the beach. It is located in the port district, close to the Fishermen’s Wharf Market.
Regency Campus
The TAFE SA Regency campus has an international centre offering specialised services. The campus also features the Mining, Engineering and Transport Centre with a high-bay workshop for heavy transport, amongst others.
Salisbury Campus
Offering specialised facilities for music and sound production, including industry-standard sound booths, an auditorium, individual rooms for teaching instrumental technique, and a computer lab designed for digital music composition and editing.
Tea Tree Gully
Tea Tree Gully TAFE AS is another Adelaide TAFE campus that specialises in creative pursuits. It houses the Creative Industries Centre, a well-equipped training facility for all kinds of media such as visual effects, game art, graphic design, digital art and music, print media and more.
Tonsley Campus
The building at TAFE SA Tonsley was designed to provide students with many kinds of unique and specialist workshops. All of the building’s services, such as electrical circuits, plumbing, communication, air conditioning, gas, and waste systems, are exposed.
Urrbrae Campus
The last Adelaide TAFE, located in the city, this campus features a micro-wetland training facility. It also offers four international courses, all of which fall under the primary industries and science department. Students at TAFE SA learn about agriculture, wine and viticulture, conservation and land management.
TAFE SA Rural Locations
Not everyone can easily gain access to the resources, facilities and amenities living in a city can provide. Luckily for any potential students out there, you don’t need to. TAFE SA understands that it can be hard to access quality education and facilities when you live in the remote parts of the state, and won’t let this stop you from accessing its education. TAFE SA campuses are actually in higher capacity in the regional parts of the state than in the city, with well over 30 major campuses and 290 learning centres.
Some of South Australia’s most stunning yet remote locations all have a TAFE SA presence somewhere nearby, so no matter where you’re located, you can still find the help and resources you need to get the very best out of your learning.
TAFE SA have campuses and learning centres in locations including:
TAFE SA Regional Campus Locations
1. Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu
Known for their beautiful environments and boutique food and wine production, the region, located just east of the city of Adelaide, offers two separate campus locations, as well as a training location. The region is located in the Adelaide Hills, stretching down the Fleurieu Peninsula to the south of the city.
Campuses include:
Victor Harbour Campus
Offering many Business and Administration courses, the Victor Harbour TAFE SA campus is located just a short trip from Granite Island. It also features a student lounge with kitchen facilities and a TAFE SA library.
Mount Barker Campus
The Mount Barker campus offers courses in a variety of industries and specialties. The most common courses offered are in Business and Administration, Networking and Security, Digital Literacy, and Allied Health.
Kangaroo Island Campus
Supported with online training materials, the Kangaroo Island campus also offers short courses in first aid. TAFE SA also delivers training from multiple community facilities on the island.
2. Barossa and Riverland
Famous for the shiraz coming out of the Barossa Valley, the region plays host to a number of internationally acclaimed wine and artisanal food producers. Combined with the largely fruit-producing region of the Murraylands and Riverland, which employs over 100,000 people in the industry.
Campuses include:
Barossa Campus (Nuriootpa)
Offering awards and short courses, the campus mostly delivers digital literacy courses. There are also many courses available in wine and viticulture, with hospitality, horticulture, conservation and land management.
Berri Campus
Providing mostly Business and Administration short courses, there are many alternatives at the Berri TAFE SA campus. Some of these include hairdressing, automotive, cookery and networking and security.
Murray Bridge Campus
Located on the banks of the Murray River, this campus allows students to study in areas such as aged and disability services, business administration, first aid and more.
3. Far North South Australia
Covering almost 700,000km2 of mostly arid desert, this area, known as the Arid Lands, is only sparsely populated. The region contains three campus locations.
Campuses incude:
Coober Pedy Campus
Located in the small mining town of Coober Pedy, this campus offers short courses in first aid and is one of the only learning centres in this remote area.
Port Augusta Campus
Offering short courses in many areas such as government, management and electrical and renewable energy, the campus also provides award-level courses. These include areas such as automotive, manufacturing and welding, community and family services and more.
Roxby Downs Campus
The Roxby Downs campus provides courses in Electrical & Renewable Energy, Library & Teaching Support, and Building, Design & Drafting.
4. Limestone Coast
The Limestone Coast is a strip of idyllic coastland along the South-East of the state. It features stunning beaches, amazing sunsets and a great variety of award-winning food and wine.
Campuses include:
Mount Gambier Campus
This Campus has an impressive array of award courses and short courses. These courses include Accounting & Finance, Aged Care, Cooking, Digital Media & Web Design, Hospitality, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing, Programming – Software Development, Travel & Tourism, and Workplace Training.
Naracoorte Campus
The Naracoorte campus in TAFE SA provides TAFE courses, including Agriculture, Food Technology, and Wine & Viticulture.
5. Eyre Peninsula
This scenic coast of South Australia is bounded by the Great Australian Bight and the Spencer Gulf. With some of Australia’s most beautiful coastlines, freshest produce and fantastic coastal towns, it’s a great place to study and live.
Campuses include:
Ceduna Campus
Ceduna Campus offers both TAFE awards and short courses to interested students who wish to focus on Children’s Services, Community Services, and Literacy & Numeracy.
Port Lincoln Campus
The Lincoln Campus features courses that range from Aquaculture and Fitness & Training to Digital Media & Web Design and Library & Teaching Support
Whyalla Campus
Whyalla Campus offers a selection of award and short TAFE courses in different study areas, including Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing, Management & Administration, and Occupational Health & Safety.
Wudinna Campus
Wudinna Campus course offerings concentrate on Children’s Services, Community Services, and Transport & Logistics. You’re advised to contact the campus for additional information on other courses scheduled.
6. Yorke Peninsula and Mid-North
This beautiful part of South Australia is one of the best tourist spots in the state, with plenty of quiet beach spots, a strong community and a fantastic range of restaurants and wineries.
Campuses include:
Kadina Campus
Kadina Campus, whose diverse offering of courses features Agriculture and Government, to Conservation & Land Management and Network & Administration.
Port Pirie Campus
Port Pirie Campus, which offers award courses and short courses in a study program that includes Aged Care, Carpentry & Furnishing, Fabrication & Welding, Nursing, and Web Development & Digital Media.
Clare Campus
TAFE courses in study areas include Aged Care, Agriculture, Fabrication & Welding, Management & Administration, and Wine & Viticulture.
