Vocational education and training (VET) refers to hands-on, practical training in a particular trade or industry specialisation. These programs are designed to give you career-ready skills and boost your employability, leading to the qualifications of certificates and/or diplomas.
Victoria is home to over 1,100 VET providers, many of which are government-owned technical and further education institutes, more commonly known as TAFE.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about VET in Victoria as an international student.
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[Speaker with workshop in background, text on screen: Santhushya Abeysinghe, International Student, Sri Lanka]
Speaker, Santhushya Abeysinghe: If you're an international student looking for hands-on, practical training in a specialised trade or industry, then vocational education and training - known as VET- is perfect for you.
[Visuals of mechanic showing international students how to inspect the engine of a car]
Victoria is home to over 1,100 VET providers, many of which are government-owned technical and further education institutes, more commonly known as TAFEs.
[Visuals include cutting hair, crane at sunset, workers in high vis vests on wind farm]
From automotive courses to nursing to hairdressing, there are various trades you can prepare for through TAFE and VET courses.
[Visuals of hair and makeup for a fashion shoot, chef demonstrating technique and apprentice chefs working in industrial kitchen]
VET programs are designed to give you career-ready skills and to boost your employability.
You will graduate with a certificate and/or diploma qualification in a shorter period of time than if you were to undertake an undergraduate degree, meaning you’ll save on tuition fees and you can start your career sooner.
Alternatively, if you'd like to attend university in the future, VET can be a great pathway to higher education - it will help you gain extra experience, and your qualifications may fulfill certain prerequisites when you're applying for an undergraduate course.
[Speaker with a friend browsing books at the library, close up of chef working at stove]
There are TAFE providers located all across Victoria, so not only will you be able to find a program that suits you and your future career goals, you can choose a city or country location that suits your lifestyle.
[Visuals of Melbourne skyline, MCG at sunrise, speaker walking with friend, eating chocolate coated doughnuts]
The state’s regional centres offer a relaxed way of life close to beautiful natural attractions, with a lower cost of living, and welcoming, close-knit communities; while Melbourne - voted the world’s friendliest city - is a safe, vibrant and multicultural city.
[Footage over regional town with hills in background, Geelong waterfront, Mildura main street, Melbourne highrise buildings, the Yarra river looking to the MCG, ]
Whichever course you choose, your VET institution will have state-of-the-art facilities to provide you with the work-ready training you need to launch a successful career.
[Students outdoors at night in the city, lawns at the front of the State Library, student and friend walking through Vic markets, walking down brightly coloured stairs with indoor and outdoor plant life. Students in science lab, hairdresser, automotive, nurse at hospital]
Simulated laboratories, gallery spaces, training restaurants, salons, automotive workshops, or Australia's first TAFE-based hospital.
The options are endless!
Are you ready to find your perfect course in Victoria?
Use the Study Melbourne Course Finder to start searching today.
[Speaker on laptop with Study Melbourne course search screen]
[Study Melbourne, Victoria Australia logo]
The benefits of TAFE and VET
There are plenty of great reasons international students should consider VET courses through TAFEs or other providers.
Firstly, these qualifications are designed with employment in mind. While university courses tend to focus on theoretical knowledge and critical thinking, TAFE and VET focus on specific vocations. This means that your TAFE and VET studies will give you the technical skills you need to enter a particular trade or industry specialisation. From automotive courses to nursing to hairdressing, there are various trades you can prepare for through TAFE and VET courses.
VET programs are also ideal for students looking to gain a certification in a shorter period. VET courses are usually shorter than undergraduate degrees, with most taking one to 2 years to complete. As a result, you can save on tuition fees and start your career even sooner.
If you are hoping to attend university at some point, VET can still be a worthwhile pursuit. Many VET providers offer direct pathways to higher education, namely undergraduate degrees. This makes it the perfect choice for those who want to gain extra experience or need a little help getting into their preferred university course.
TAFE and VET providers in Victoria
Bendigo TAFE
The only thing better than getting a hands-on education at Bendigo TAFE is getting to live in Bendigo while you do it! With friendly people, fantastic food and drink, and beautiful nature, there are plenty of reasons to choose this regional gem for your overseas adventure.
Locations: Bendigo, Broadmeadows, Docklands, Echuca, Essendon and Richmond.
Courses: International students at Bendigo TAFE can study community services, beauty therapy and commercial cookery.
Facilities: Two of Bendigo TAFE’s most notable facilities include the Health and Community Centre of Excellence and the Food and Fibre Centre of Excellence. Students can receive hands-on training in simulated environments, following realistic scenarios and using real-world equipment to gain the skills needed for success. Bendigo TAFE offers a range of specialist spaces including a veterinary clinic, a live working hub, and greenhouses and gardens.
Box Hill Institute
Box Hill is in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Studying here means you’ll get to enjoy Melbourne’s vibrant city lifestyle while earning your qualification. Museums, restaurants and shopping strips are just a short tram ride away!
Locations: Box Hill, Lilydale Lakeside, Moorabbin and Melbourne City.
Courses: Box Hill Institute offers several programs for overseas students, including automotive technology, business, fashion and design, science, and health and community services.
Facilities: Box Hill Institute is home to state-of-the-art learning spaces, including its Advanced Welder Training Centre, Creative Design Hub, and Integrated Technology Hub.
Chisholm Institute
Along with a quality learning experience, Chisholm Institute offers many employment support services, including its Skills and Jobs Centre. Part of a statewide Victorian Government program to assist potential students, job seekers and employers, the Skills and Jobs Centre provides free services, including career counselling, apprenticeship advice and weekly workshops.
Locations: Berwick, Cranbourne, Dandenong and Frankston.
Courses: At Chisholm Institute, you can study subjects such as accounting, business management, cookery and patisserie, early childhood education and psychology.
Facilities: One of Chisholm’s most renowned facilities is the$1.2-million National Precision Growing Centre at its Cranbourne campus - the only facility of its kind in Australia. Boasting 1,500 square metres of greenhouse space, the centre delivers horticulture training locally, nationally and internationally.
The Gordon TAFE
The Gordon is one of Victoria’s largest TAFE institutions and was named the International Education Provider of the Year at the 2021-22 Victorian International Education Awards. What’s more, Geelong - where 2 of The Gordon’s campuses are located - boasts a laid-back beachy lifestyle that you’re sure to love.
Locations: East Geelong, Geelong City and Werribee.
Courses: As an international student, you can develop your skills in aged care, early childhood education, hospitality, nursing and many more at The Gordon.
Facilities: Across its campuses, The Gordon has many learning and training facilities where students can build their skills. One such example is The Studio, where future hairdressers and beauty therapists to put their abilities into practice. Culinary students also have the chance to perfect their dishes at The Gordon’s on-campus training restaurant, The Davidson.
Holmesglen Institute
Holmesglen Institute of TAFE has over 40 years of experience in providing VET in Victoria, with more than 140,000 graduates. Holmesglen also manages offshore projects in several countries - including China, Indonesia and Japan - giving students an opportunity to launch a global career.
Locations: Chadstone, Glen Waverley, Melbourne City, Moorabbin and Southbank.
Courses: Holmesglen offers many options for international students, including qualifications in arts and design, IT, education, sports and fitness, hospitality and more.
Facilities: The Victoria Tunnelling Centre (VTC) is an Australian-first, providing Holmesglen with a state-of-the-art facility to educate and skill thousands of students in underground construction and tunnelling.
Kangan Institute
Kangan Institute has a strong presence in the health, automotive and fashion industries, with several training facilities for students to apply their knowledge, including the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE), Richards Restaurant and Textile & Fashion Hub.
Locations: Bendigo, Broadmeadows, Docklands, Echuca, Essendon and Richmond.
Courses: You can gain accreditations in accounting, community services, English language, fashion and more at Kangan Institute.
Facilities: At Kangan Institute, you will find a range of training centres, including the Textile and Fashion Hub, which offers industry-relevant training courses for designers and even customised training for manufacturers. At the Docklands campus, students will have access to the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE), which boasts high-level vehicle and engine-testing facilities and a purpose-built auto electrical lab.
Melbourne Polytechnic
In addition to its diverse range of courses (which include accounting, business, music, education and more), Melbourne Polytechnic offers an array of scholarships, many of which are exclusively for international students. Some of these include the Recognition of Excellence in Transnational Studies Scholarship, which offers up to 50% off tuition fees, and the International Higher Education Scholarship, which provides up to 20% off tuition fees.
Locations: Collingwood, Eden Park, Epping, Fairfield, Greensborough, Heidelberg, Lort Smith, Prahran, Preston and Yan Yean.
Courses: Melbourne Polytechnic has a range of programs available to international students including accounting, business, creative and performing arts, engineering and hospitality.
Facilities: From gallery spaces and jewellery workshops to pathology labs, Melbourne Polytechnic is home to a wide array of specialist training facilities. Viticulture students will have access to vineyards and wineries, while makeup students can build their skills in the Specialist Makeup Room.
Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (SuniTAFE)
Nestled in Victoria’s northwest, studying at SuniTAFE allows you to launch your career surrounded by the stunning natural environment of Mildura. Horticulture students even have the chance to learn innovative techniques firsthand at the institute’s Smart Farm.
Locations: Mildura.
Courses: At SuniTAFE, you can complete qualifications in areas such as early childhood education and care, English language, finance and accounting, and horticulture.
Facilities: SuniTAFE houses various workshops and fully equipped learning spaces. Hospitality students will benefit from the institute’s two commercial kitchens and its training restaurant, while dedicated building and plumbing workshops can help trades students achieve new skill levels.
William Angliss Institute
William Angliss Institute has a presence in 5 countries across the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, China, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The institute specialises particularly in events, food, hospitality and tourism training.
Locations: Melbourne City.
Courses: At William Angliss Institute, you can choose to study in any of the following course disciplines: food, hospitality, hotel management and tourism.
Facilities: Given its specialisation in food and hospitality, William Angliss Institute boasts several facilities specifically for skill development in these disciplines. Some of these include 10 high-end commercial kitchens, an onsite café and bakeshop, a chocolate laboratory, and a food technology laboratory.
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