What is Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET)
– Australia’s VET sector is based on a partnership between governments and industry. VET qualifications are provided by government institutions, called Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions, as well as private institutions which are often registered training organisations (RTOs).
Benefits of VET courses
VET courses have their own comparative advantages in comparison with higher education. Main benefits of VET training are:
- More practical skills hands-on experience
– VET courses allow students to study with the experts with actual experience and expertise in industry as well as to learn on the job through getting on site-experience in the real-job setting.
- Easier entry requirements
– In comparison with higher education qualifications, VET courses’ admission requirements are often less difficulty to meet.
- Affordable learning cost
– Comparing to the university costs, the fees for VET courses are usually much cheaper. University is for learning, VET is for earning!
- Pathway to the higher education sector.
– The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates the qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework. The AQF recognises prior learning or even work experience and competence in the industry.
– This means that students are allowed to move up the qualifications ladder with ease, including those undertake VET courses. When a student completes a VET course, he or she can find a pathway to higher education, often with credit which is awarded via the Recognition of Prior Learning schemes.
Quality assurance
– All VET training in Australia is subject to laws and regulations of Australian Government and the quality is guaranteed.
– Laws and regulations are imposed to ensure and protect the wellbeing and education experience of international students.
– Notable regulations and laws include a national VET Regulator – Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.
VET qualifications
Qualifications in VET category range across four levels of certificates including Certificate I, II, III and IV; and a Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses. The aim of a VET course is to expand your knowledge and hands-on skills that are needed for you to work in the industry.
