TAFE Courses in Victoria
Our guide to vocational and TAFE Victoria courses will help you decide on the perfect course for you.
This page aims to provide you with relevant information about what TAFE schools and VET programs are available within the Australian state of Victoria, as well as a little about why studying in Victoria offers a unique opportunity for students. There is a wide range of options regarding TAFE and VET in Victoria, many of which have multiple campuses. Because of this, there are VET courses available to study all over the state, including the capital, Melbourne. Along with dedicated TAFE schools, many universities also have TAFE department, providing students with a variety of options when it comes to study.
Why Study TAFE or VET?
There have been a number of changes around TAFE in Victoria over the past few years, which means that there is now a huge range of training institutes that offer VET education other than solely TAFE schools.
These institutes are often larger and sometimes have more options than smaller, non-TAFE training organisations. This means that for students, it is easier to transfer or continue on with further training, as there are more options in a variety of specialties – many offer pathways to university courses, with partnerships with bachelor or further higher education.
Popular TAFE and Vocational Courses
TAFE vs RTOs – What’s the Difference?
Choosing the right place to study is a critical decision that requires careful consideration and extensive research. Here’s a structured guide to assist you in making an informed choice.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) Options: VET institutions offer a variety of certificates and diplomas across numerous fields. There are two main types of VET providers:
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Colleges: TAFE colleges are public institutions funded and operated by the Australian government. They provide a wide array of courses and qualifications that cater to diverse career paths.
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs): Unlike TAFE colleges, RTOs are privately owned. However, they offer nationally accredited courses similar to those found in TAFE colleges. The offerings at RTOs meet the same rigorous standards set by national regulatory bodies.
Accreditation: Both TAFE and RTOs offer courses that are nationally accredited, ensuring that the qualifications you receive are recognised across Australia.
Regulatory Body: Both types of institutions fall under the umbrella of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and are regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). This ensures that the quality of education and training provided meets the national standards.
When deciding between TAFE and RTOs, consider factors such as the specific courses offered, location, and how the institution aligns with your career goals. Gather all necessary information to ensure your decision leads you towards your desired educational and professional outcomes.
What Does TAFE Stand For?
TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education, and is designed for both students who have completed high school and are looking for an alternate to a university degree, for individuals looking to improve their skills at a particular hobby, and for professionals looking to upskill or retrain.
There are a number of both short courses and longer term TAFE courses available in Victoria, which offer a variety of formal qualifications, including:
Certificate I
Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for initial work, community involvement and/or further learning
Certificate II
Graduates at this level will have knowledge and skills for work in a defined context and/or further learning
Certificate III
Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for work and/or further learning
Certificate IV
Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialised and/or skilled work and/or further learning
Diploma
Graduates will have specialised knowledge and skills for skilled/paraprofessional work and/or further learning
Advanced Diploma
Graduates will have broad knowledge and skills for paraprofessional/highly skilled work and/or further learning
Browse Results in Victoria
Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (VIC ONLY) CPC40920
A Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (VIC ONLY) from Builders Academy Australia could be just the ticket in taking charge of your career and improve your prospects in the building and construction, plumbing industry. If you are looking to be a par...
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (VIC Only) CPC50220
Gain the qualifications necessary to enhance your building and construction career by studying a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (VIC Only) from Builders Academy Australia and learn valuable skills. Become recognised in the building and...
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (VIC Only) CPC40120
The Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (VIC Only) from Builders Academy Australia could provide just the training you need to get your building and construction career underway. This building and construction course has been develop...
Online TAFE courses also available
Over 2,000 qualifications to choose from in Victoria
There are thousands of courses you can choose from at TAFE Victoria. Short courses, apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas and undergraduate and postgraduate courses are all on offer.
Over 75 TAFE Victoria Campuses available in metro and regional areas
With a large range TAFE institutes, learning centres and campuses to choose from, TAFE VIC is one of the most accessible educators in the country. No matter where you are located within Victoria, there is the perfect location for you.
Plenty of recognised study options
TAFE Victoria understands the need to provide flexible study options to suit every learning need. From part time study, night classes, online and blended methods, you can find a method of study that suits your schedule.
Vocational and TAFE VIC Courses – What Can You Study?
Vocational education and TAFE in Victoria offers a variety of study options for its students; providing flexible education which has been developed specifically for those are are unable to follow the ‘conventional’ route to obtain a qualification.
By offering options such as the opportunity to complete your studies online, VET in Victoria gives students a way to balance their learning around existing commitments. This, along with blended learning, part-time and full-time courses and the classic in-class learning, studying your way has never been easier.
Available Courses in Victoria
Whether you’re after courses regional or metropolitan Victoria, you’ll be sure to find a course that suits in the hundreds of learning centres scattered throughout the state. Here are some of the most popular TAFE and VET courses in:
Certificate IV in Administration
Certificate IV in Education Support
Certificate IV in Information Technology-Networking
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Available VET and TAFE Short Courses in Victoria
Be a skill seeker and start a short course to improve your knowledge, experience and general ability. No matter what area you’re interested in, or whether a hobby or for your career goal; a short course is the best way to skill up and get prepared! Some short courses can take only a matter of days to complete, while others can be done entirely from the comfort of your own home. Popular courses that can prepare you for any number of situations in life such as the First Aid short course or RSA are a great start.
If you’re interested in more specialised short courses at TAFE or VET, you can find them at a range of institutions in Victoria, in subjects including:
- Information Technology and Computer Skills
- Community Services
- Beauty
- Creative Arts
- Small Business Management
- Property Services
- Childhood Education
If you’re looking for a short course you’re interested in, for a career change, professional development or even just to help manage your small business; browse a short course today.
TAFE Digital – A New Age of Education
TAFE Victoria accommodates students who have commitments that need to be considered when studying – online education allows students to easily slot further education into a busy schedule. Whether you are after an upskill or would like to develop new areas of knowledge, the digital age has made it simple to study from the comfort of your own home. Studying an online course at TAFE in Victoria means that you can attend one of Australia’s biggest TAFE’s from outside the state or even internationally.
TAFE Digital online courses are a great way to develop your skills with just one resource: a computer.
The best part about TAFE Victoria online courses is that there’s so many to choose from. Courses are available at plenty of different qualification levels:
Subjects Available at VET and TAFE Victoria Locations
TAFE Colleges in Victoria
In Victoria there are a number TAFE Colleges that offer certified courses, including a variety of TAFE institutes in Melbourne. Below are a number of these institutions, a little about them and what the TAFE institution has in the way of campus’.
There are also a number of TAFE institutions operating in regional Victoria. Many TAFE schools in major regional areas, such as TAFE in Ballarat, also offer online learning courses. For a brief overview on some of the major TAFE institutions in regional Victoria, continue reading!
RMIT University
RMIT University was originally an exclusively TAFE school, being the Royal Melbourne Institute of TEchnology. RMIT was awarded its university status in 1992, after operating for more than 100 years before that as a technical college. As a result of this, RMIT’s TAFE school is one of the largest and most widely recognised TAFE in Melbourne. RMIT TAFE is offered at three campuses:
Victoria University
Vic Uni’s recognised TAFE institution is known as the Victoria University Polytechnic. This TAFE school offers accredited courses, traineeships, and apprenticeships for their students in a number of areas, including hair and beauty, hospitality, business and legal, community services, trades and transition education and nursing/health.
Victoria Polytechnic also boasts a number of campuses, almost all of which are located in Melbourne or surrounding suburbs.
Theses campuses are:
Chisholm Institute of TAFE
Chisholm TAFE is a college in Melbourne that operates exclusively as a TAFE school, although also offers a partnership with Latrobe university. This means that students that study at Chisholm can earn credit towards a university degree. The college offer a huge range of programs, including art and design, horticulture and conservation, health, hair, beauty and makeup and building trades.
Many of these are online courses or via blended learning, which is the combination of both in-class and online learning. Chisholm TAFE has a number of campuses in Melbourne and Greater Victoria – these are listed below:
Kangan Institute of TAFE
This TAFE offers short courses in Victoria, as well as a range of longer-term courses and pathways designed to either qualify students with a VET certification, or in three cases, complete a bachelor after both an advanced and standard diploma in a specific area. They also offer online courses in Melbourne. The Kangan Institute of TAFE in Victoria has five campuses:
Holmesglen Institute
Holmesglen TAFE is a large TAFE in Melbourne, offering more than 100 courses. They have a number of short courses available for students or adults simply looking to upskill. They have a variety of campuses, including:
Gordon Institute of TAFE
The Gordon TAFE college is a regional TAFE college that offers a variety of courses to students, including Gordon online short courses. Their most popular courses are in health services, administration, nursing, animal studies, beauty therapy, cookery and celebrancy OPD. The Gordon has a number of campuses across Werribee and Hoppers Crossing, including:
South West TAFE
South West TAFE provides students with the opportunity to complete a number of accredited qualifications, as well as a variety of short courses and stand alone units, along with apprenticeships, traineeships and industry certificates. They offer offer only TAFE Courses and no university courses.
Courses are offered in a variety of areas, including trades and maritime, IT and telecommunications, disability transition programs, and tourism.
South West TAFE has 4 main campuses covering the South West region of Victoria, such as:
GOTAFE
GOTafe is the trading name of the Goulburn Institute of TAFE. The Goulborn TAFE school has a variety of campuses in the north, including a TAFE Shepparton campus.
Its campuses include:
Box Hill Institute
At Box Hill Institute, the qualifications range from certificates I to IV, diplomas and advanced diplomas, even associate, bachelor and master degrees. The institute’s vocational and higher education qualifications are nationally accredited and internationally recognised.
Its campuses include:
Sunraysia Institute
Since 1979, the Sunraysia Institute has been providing vocational education and training services in the North West of Victoria, Australia.
Its campuses include:
Swinburne
Swinburne Online combines a dynamic virtual classroom with the support of online tutors and the flexibility of studying when and where it suits best.
Its campuses include:
Federation Training
With 10 campuses across the state, Federation Training offers a vast range of programs and learning opportunities for students to develop experience in a hands-on environment.
Its campuses include:
Bendigo TAFE
Since its establishment 155 years ago, Bendigo TAFE has been educating 9,000 students each year via its network of five campuses. With its specialised course content, students will develop relevant skills to help them thrive in their chosen industry.
Its campuses include:
Wodonga TAFE
Founded in 1986, Wodonga Institute of TAFE provides a practical approach to training and education, offering qualifications from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level across a wide range of subject areas.
Its campuses include:
William Angliss
The William Angliss Institute is a renowned specialist training provider for the foods, tourism, hospitality and events industries. The Institute’s courses are delivered both across Australia and internationally.
Melbourne Polytechnic
Melbourne Polytechnic, formally known as NMIT, is a TAFE and higher education institute with majority of its campuses found within the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, with the exception of its southern campus Prahran.
So, why Victoria?
Victoria is home to one of the largest and most entertaining cities in Australia, Melbourne. This hub of business, the arts and sport has leading effects on the training offered at VET and TAFE in Victoria, with high standards across the board due to a centralised TAFE Victoria program throughout the state. Regardless of whether you’re studying at a TAFE in Melbourne or in a regional area, completing an advanced diploma or a short tafe online course, the state is well known for having something to do and see, wherever you are, with world class learning and opportunities abounding.
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