Student Information

VET is learning which is directly related to work. Nationally recognised qualifications are developed by industry to give people the knowledge and skills they need to work in a particular job.

You can undertake VET at school:

– as part of your school studies – delivered and resourced by a school registered training organisation
– by enrolling in a qualification with an external registered training organisation – funded either by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training’s VET investment budget or through fee-for-service arrangements i.e. where the student or parent pays for the qualification.
– as a school-based apprentice or trainee.

Talk to your guidance officer, career counsellor, vocational education coordinator or head of senior schooling about the qualification that is right for you from the range of programs available at your school.

Important Note: Each high school student is able to access one VETiS funded course. For this reason it is important to do research and get advice prior to enrolling in a VETiS funded course. If you are unsure and would like guidance please contact our office or speak with your school for more information.

The Certificate 3 Guarantee supports eligible individuals to complete their first post-school certificate III qualification and increase their skills to move into employment, re-enter the workforce or advance their career.

It also supports school students to access training and Queensland’s Year 12 graduates to transition to employment by providing free training in high priority qualifications.

The program is open to any Queensland resident aged 15 years or over who is no longer at school (with the exception of VET in Schools students) and is an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency. Prospective students must not have or be enrolled in a certificate III level or higher qualification
(not including qualifications completed at school and foundation skills training).

The amount of your out-of-pocket expense will vary depending on the course you undertake and the training provider you choose.

The fee may be paid on your behalf by an employer or another third party unrelated to the pre-qualified supplier (PQS), but cannot be paid by the PQS.

Under free tafe for Year 12 graduates, eligible graduates train for free in high priority qualifications identified by the Queensland Government and industry.

The User Choice 2017-20 program provides a public funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees.

The program provides the flexibility for apprentices, trainees and their employers to select a preferred registered training organisation (RTO) from a list of pre-qualified suppliers (PQS) for the delivery of accredited training to meet their specific needs.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) are available in many occupations in Queensland. Students should be in either year 10, 11 or 12, but may be able to enter a SAT prior to starting year 10 in exceptional circumstances. In these circumstances, a business case must be submitted to the department and approved prior to commencing the SAT.

To be eligible for a government contribution towards the costs of training, an apprentice or trainee must have entered into a training contract for a qualification that is funded by the department and be registered in the department’s registration system DELTA. The training provider selected to deliver the training must hold a pre-qualified supplier (PQS) status for the nominated qualification.

Usually students are required to pay a co-contribution fee. In some cases though, an RTO may provide either a partial or full exemption for a student in respect to the co-contribution fee. SATs are not required to pay a co-contribution fee while they are still at school, but may be required to pay fees once their training contract has been converted to full-time or part-time post school. Your SRTO will provide in detail its fees and charges policy, including full costs method of collection, refunds and exemptions prior to enrolment.